In the trees along the bank, a pair of sparrows were hopping from limb to limb. It was peaceful here—and completely at odds with the turmoil inside him. “Christopher told his mother he plans on marrying Kate. He wants to make her a duchess.”
“I wager the dowager needed the smelling salts on that one.”
“More like the brandy bottle. She wants the actress gone. Meanwhile, Winderton will be furious that I interfered. He is headstrong enough to challenge me.” There was a beat of silence and then Bran added, “That would not be good. My sister would probably load the gun for him. On one hand, she demands her son do exactly what she wishes and yet, her every mother’s instinct will go on the attack if someone upsets him. When he learns what I’ve said to Kate, he will definitely be on fire—and who knows which side Lucy will choose?”
His comment surprised a sharp bark of laughter from Mars. “Not only have you made me happy that most of my family is dead, but you are an excellent reminder that no good deed ever goes unpunished.”
That was true. The more Bran had done for Lucy and her son, the more wheedling and demanding she had become. Of course, he had only himself to blame for keeping Winderton in the dark about his late father’s shortcomings.
Mars leaned forward, cupping his empty tankard in his hands. “So, do you want advice? Based upon what I am observing?”
“If you will.” Bran was at a point that he’d listen to the devil himself.
“Bed the actress before Winderton does—if he hasn’t already, that is.”
Bran almost fell out of his chair.At one time, bedding Kate had been all he could think about, and he definitely wouldn’t mind having her again. His loins leaped at the thought, making his leather breeches uncomfortably tight.
“My nephew would consider it a betrayal.”
“He’d see exactly what sort of woman she truly is. Certainly not Duchess of Winderton material.”
“He’d be furious.”
“Perhaps.”
There was a beat of silence. The temptation was strong. Could Bran take her into his bed? And if he did, what price would he pay? Kate was a viper. “I wouldn’t touch her.”
Mars looked away as if he was biting his tongue, and then his lips twisted into a rueful smile. “Well, if you were forceful enough in your demands today, this Kate will be gone and you won’t have to do anything.”
“I was forceful enough.”
The devil appeared in Mars’s grin. “It just struck me. This woman must be—what? Over thirty?”
“At least thirty-five, however, she doesn’t appear it. I can’t criticize Winderton’s taste. She is a beauty.”
“Will she be when she is forty or fifty? Women don’t age well. They can turn overnight like a pear gone to mush. Talk to Winderton man-to-man. If he wants an older woman, tell him he would be better off going, say five to eight years older at the most.”
Bran shook his head. “He should put off eventhe ideaof marriage for five to eight years. Ned and I have both been after him to join the Logical Men’s Society. He needs some depth. There are times I don’t understand him. He seems to float through life.”
In a helpful tone, Mars said, “If you wish, I would be more than happy to take him aside and suggest he play with his actress, but not marry her. Or, I could takeheraside?”
“I’ll handle the matter,” Bran answered, suddenly realizing what it would mean to let Mars close to Kate. The earl would find her delectable and then Bran would have an even larger problem.
His friend laughed knowingly.
And it actually didn’t bother Bran that he was transparent to Mars. In fact, he marveled at how close he felt to both the earl and Ned Thurlowe. He’d not had trusted friends before. “Thank you,” Bran said. “I am in a better mood than when I arrived.”
“I’ll see you this evening?”
“This evening?”
“The Three Bucks at the Cotillion Dance?”
“If you will be there, I’ll make an appearance.”
“If we don’t, we’ll be hounded by the biddies.” Mars referred to the Matrons of Maidenshop.
“I’ll need some sleep.” Both he and Orion had earned it. He handed his tankard to Mars and started walking toward the corner of The Garland instead of going through the building to claim his horse.
