And he had questions.
Dewbury, Drake’s butler, let him in and went to get his master.Drake came down the stairs with a grumpy expression, wearing a dressing gown of burnt umber with copper embroidery and a black-fur ruff.Clearly, he’d just woken up and was not particularly happy about it.Maybe Matthew should have waited until later.This was what he got for not checking with his coin before arriving.
“What do you want?”Drake asked irritably, stalking into the drawing room and flopping inelegantly on the couch.A maid rushed in with a coffee cart before rushing away again.Dewbury came in and got a cup of coffee in Drake’s hands before pouring one for Matthew.
He waited until the door was closed and Drake had taken at least two sips of coffee before answering.
“Good morning to you, too,” Matthew said, leaning back in his chair.“I want to know what you were doing at that brothel last night.”
“The same thing as you.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
“You were buying a bride?”
Watching Drake choke on his coffee was strangely satisfying.
He stared at Matthew for a long moment, ignoring the droplets of coffee that now spattered the front of his robe.
“Lady Johanna?”
“We’ll be married as soon as Christian brings her family to my London house.”He smiled serenely as Drake scowled at him.
“You did not take advantage of her.”It sounded more like an order than a request for information.
“Of course not.I’m going to marry her.My grandmother took Lady Johanna under her wing the moment we arrived home.”Matthew tilted his head, studying Drake.“Besides, what do you care if I took advantage of a young lady?You were there, too, and you’re engaged.So.What were you doing?”
“Seeing to some business.”
It was not a real answer, but no matter how Matthew wheedled, Drake was not giving up any information.
Sighing, he finished his coffee.
“I should go.Do you know of any good private investigators?”
“Why?”
Matthew explained about Mr.Jamieson Blash, his disappearing act after Matthew had purchased her, and Matthew’s suspicions based on what Lady Johanna had told him.Drake’s countenance darkened with every word, turning into a real thundercloud.Which was another reason Matthew did not believe that Drake had been at the bawdy house for nefarious activities.
He might be a rake, but he had a keen sense for justice and defending those who could not defend themselves.In an earlier time, he would have made a wonderful knight.
Matthew would not have been a knight, of that he was sure.Though it had felt nice to rescue Lady Johanna.
Maybe he could have been a knight.If the coin said it was the right decision.
“I will take care of it,” Drake said after a long moment.
“Take care of…”
“All of it.As soon as I have some information on Mr.Blash, I’ll get it to you.”Drake got to his feet, brushing the front of his robe even though the coffee had already soaked in.“You’re going to have enough to do, what with planning a wedding.”
“We’ve already started.It’s going to be very quick, not much planning needed.”Matthew shrugged, getting to his feet as well.“You’ll be invited, of course.”
“I expect nothing less.”Drake cleared his throat.“Congratulations.She seemed rather nice at the house party, though I did not get much of a chance to speak with her.Astrid likes her.”
“She is nice.”Matthew smiled.He was getting more and more used to the idea of having a wife.Specifically, of having Lady Johanna as his wife.She was nice.Drake’s fiancée liked her.The other ladies liked her.
Everything would be nice and comfortable and easy.Just the way he liked it.
