“Do you?”
“No, nor do the ladies. That is why I asked if you do.”
“How would I know if the ladies don’t? I am not Miss MacCallum’s special confidante.”
“I thought perhaps when you and she had that meeting I helped arrange, she told you. She made the decision soon after, or at least informed Amanda the next day. The ladies find it all precipitous, as if she is running away from something.” Langford eyed him. “You didn’t try to kiss her that day, or do something else that—”
“I did not. If that is whatthe ladiesare conjuring up within their ire and ignorance, please make it very clear to them that I swear as a gentleman that I have in no way imposed on Miss MacCallum in that manner. The very suggestion is laughable.”
Langford shrugged. “It might have been an impulse.”
“I do not have impulses like that with women.”
Stratton grinned. “Come now, we all have those impulses, even you, even if you never give in to them.”
Eric gave Langford a hard look. “You will please make sure the ladies are disabused of such a notion.”
“I will, but I think they may be disappointed. I overheard them talking, and the wordcomeuppancewas spoken. I think they have worked out an elaborate plot with you as the pining swain and Miss MacCallum as the spurning woman.”
“You did not say anything to encourage such nonsense, I trust.” Comeuppance indeed.
“Of course not.”
Of course not, hell. Langford talked too much. Eric pictured him and Amanda in bed, with Amanda probing for gossip and Langford, in his sated bliss, nattering away.
“You say you do not glare, but you are glaring now,” Stratton said. “Perhaps you should let us know about that favor you want.”
“Things are moving along about the bill. I have to leave town for a spell and would like each of you to sound out these peers for their positions.” He reached in his coat and handed each of them a short sheet of paper.
Stratton studied his. “I will do it, but I doubt I will receive firm answers from half these names.” He tucked it away. “The only way that bill or any like it will pass is if the slave owners are compensated. Perhaps when the economy is better—”
“The economy will never be better enough. It will cost millions,” Eric said. “We might as well face the numbers now as later.”
Langford had not looked at his paper. Instead, he looked at Eric. Intently. “You are leaving town?”
“For a brief spell. I leave tomorrow next.”
“Alone?”
“I always travel alone.”
“Not always. You have on occasion brought mistresses to some of your properties.”
“This is business, and I travel alone when I travel for financial reasons.”
Now both of them were looking at him.
“It must be very important to drag you away right when you need to shepherd this bill,” Stratton said.
The two of them were spinning webs of nonsense now, all because he left London when that woman did. Not that she needed to go anywhere. She was just being obstinate. “It is important enough.”
A twinkle entered Langford’s eyes. “Perhaps you will come across Miss MacCallum while on your journey. At a staging inn or some such place.”
“Unlikely. If it happens, however, I will be polite and ask if she is faring well. Now, are you going to talk to those men?” He pointed to Langford’s list.
“Oh, absolutely. They should all fall in line. After all, how awkward for them to be less moral than I am, of all men.”
“So where are you going?” Stratton asked casually.
