Gabriel’s glass clinked against the jug as he poured himself a drink. “What a night,” he almost cheered before taking a swig. “And all of us home at the same time.”
Maggie looked between us with a quirked brow. She sat back down in her seat. “Thomas went out with friends tonight. Apparently a fight broke out at the Club.”
“Typical.” Gabriel took another swig.
“Apparentlyone man asked the other’s wife for a kiss inexchange for settling her husband’s gambling debts. And she agreed.”
Georgiana’s brows shot up.
“That’s one way to do it.” Gabriel laughed. “I need a wife.”
“You need that investment to pan out,” I argued. “Then a wife.”
“Soon, then.” Gabriel held up his glass in salute, sure of himself. He leaned back against the cabinet. “Speaking of my investments. Do you remember that scientist who told me frog dung could heal fevers—”
Of course I did. “I remember he convinced you to fund hisbreakthroughdiscovery.”
Gabriel winced. “Turned out it was the willow bark it’d been sitting on, not the frog dung itself. But we wereso close. That should’ve been the one.”
“Don’t act all innocent, Marlow.” Maggie crossed her legs. “Was it notyouwho assured us all that the next big scheme would be self-lighting candles?”
“I was fourteen,” I reminded her, “and they are coming. Wait a few years, and you’ll see.”
We all shared a laugh. I looked toward the door for Georgiana.
But she had disappeared.
Every good feeling vanished. “She’s gone.”
Gabriel threw back the rest of his whiskey. “She’s scared.”
“Of what?” Maggie asked. “What have you done, Lucas?”
“Nothing,” Gabriel enunciated. “Leave him be. We all need our beds. Tomorrow will bring clarity. Hmm?”
Wise words from Gabriel? Of all people. Though I doubted I would sleep at all.
“What?” he asked haughtily. “I have had my fair share of midnight regrets, Cousin. If there’s one thing I can advise on, it’s that.”
I had a solemn feeling I’d missed too much of his advice over the years. Anxious as I was to force him into line. To chasten him for ever stepping off of it. I never truly listened to the wisdom he gleaned from his mistakes.
Maggie scoffed. “I am too tired for your riddling. Good night.”
“Good night,” we said in tandem.
Gabriel poured himself another drink. Then pulled out a second glass.
“Trust me,” he said. “It’ll help you sleep this off.”
The only thing that would calm my mind was talking with Georgiana. But she’d left without saying anything. We’d acted impulsively, and she needed a moment to herself. I understood.
I didn’t need any more time to sort out my feelings. I did not want to waste another day without her. The dukedom would simply have to adjust. In time, Society would forget.
I would give Georgiana a night.
And then I’d make my intentions clear.
ChapterTwenty-Four
