As the lord moved away with his companions, Dominic balled his hands into fists on the armchair. But he didn’t say anything. He didn’t move. He breathed in deeply and shook his head, telling himself it would all be over soon. Eventually. He hoped.
“Good morning, old chap.” Peter Starling came around from out of nowhere to slide into the seat beside him. “You’re here early today. Brandy?”
“Hardly.” He’d only had two sips thus far. “What are you doing here? I thought you were surely on your way out of London once more.”
Peter nodded, slouching in his chair. While he might not carry a title, money still spoke in the gentleman clubs around London. He had a glass of his own hanging loose in his hand. “That was my goal, but my brother seems to need my time and attention lately; I won’t ship out until next week. In the meantime… Do tell.”
“Do tell what?”
His friend gestured around the room. “What is going on here?”
The man had a knack for ignoring everything in the world that didn’t pertain to ships, family, or friendships. Dominic sighed and leaned forward. Without directing any of the information to his wife, he carefully explained the gossip journal and what was currently taking place based on the last published piece.
When he was done, Peter was wide-eyed. The man let out a shocked whistle and shook his head. “That’s certainly a bold move. It makes sense why it has everyone up in a tizzy. We are sure to go mad.”
“I fear we already are,” Dominic replied with a grimace.
“Perhaps the gentlemen are right: the writer should reveal themselves, provide further proof of what they know. Isn’t that the problem, we don’t know anything?”
He hesitated before nodding. “There’s no proof to be had when it comes to a gossip rag. I believe that is what makes this so unique. Everyone has the choice to take the writer at their word. For this one…”
After he finished off his brandy, Dominic shook his head. “Then all the attention will fall to the writer.”
“Is that so wrong?”
“Yes, of course. It needs to fall…” he trailed off as the truth occurred to him.
Leaning forward, Peter raised an eyebrow. “Fall where? It’s going to fall somewhere, Dominic. You know the ton. Once they have their bite in, they don’t let go. They sink their claws in and steal up everything from a soul. What are you thinking?”
He rose to stand, knowing what he had to do. “I’m thinking that the rug is being pulled out from our feet one way or another. And when it is all over, I know what I want to see and do.”
Determination coursed through him; he didn’t know how he hadn’t considered this previously. Only it was time to act. He had been thinking about matters like this for a long enough time.
What if Verity never tells me? What if she further endangers herself? I don’t like it. I don’t want her doing it or putting her name on it. And I know she would argue no matter what I said. But if I can get the right person to talk…
“Oh?” Peter glanced about doubtfully. “Is that right? And erm, when is it over?”
“Now.”
Dominic gave his friend a nod of a farewell. That was all he needed to do at this time. Making his way out of the club, he rode his horse to the very house where everything had started.
When he arrived at the front door, there was a footman cautiously allowing him entry. The young man was clearly still in training as he fumbled over his words. “May I, erm, take your… hat?”
“Here.” Dominic didn’t care if he ever got it back. “The viscount. Where is he?”
“He is… busy.”
“Unavailable to guests, do you mean?”
The footman offered a sheepish smile. “Yes, that is what I mean.”
“Then it is a good thing I am not a guest,” Dominic announced decidedly. “I’m family, so I believe I’m free to go where I like here. I believe he will be in his study, yes?”
Wide-eyed, the footman glanced about warily and licked his lips. “Erm, I shouldn’t…”
“Don’t worry. You have my card.” He flung out the thick cardstock to the young man while letting it slip through his fingers in the next. The paper floated to the ground and the footman scrambled. It was a filthy trick, but he didn’t feel like fighting. “That’s surely all you need.”
Then he strode past the footman down the hall.
