Her stepmother retained her worried expression. But you havent seen him yet. Hes, well, the sort who can change anyones mind.
Handsome, is he? Joseph asked. Well, thats good, isnt it, Miranda?
And charmingor so I understand, Elizabeth added.
That was fourteen years ago, Miranda pointed out. Fourteen years of dissipated living can do a lot to change ones looks.
Thats true. Elizabeth brightened a little.
Anyway, I am not about to be swayed by a pretty face. You must realize that. Remember how angelic looking that Italian count was? And I wasnt the least tempted to accept his offer.
Elizabeth did not look entirely reassured, but she smiled faintly at Miranda. I know. I can still see the shock on his face when you turned him down.
And this one will look the same, Miranda told her confidently. Youll see.
Devin could not get the idea of the American heiress out of his mind after his relatives left. Finally he picked up his hat and left the house. He walked, hoping that the air would clear his still-aching and foggy head, but when he arrived a few minutes later at Stuarts apartment, he felt little better. Stuarts valet answered the door and looked a trifle shocked when Devin suggested he awaken his master.
With an impatient noise, Devin pushed past him and took the stairs two at a time up to Stuarts room, the valet running at his heels, squawking anxiously. The noise awakened Stuart, and he was sitting up in his bed, sleeping cap slipping to the side, looking both annoyed and befuddled, when Devin opened the door and stepped into the room.
Hallo, Stuart.
Good Gawd, Ravenscar, his friend replied without any noticeable appreciation of his visit. What the devil are you doing here? What time is it?
Its two oclock in the afternoon, sir, the valet put in, wringing his hands. I beg your pardon, sir, I could not keep him out.
Oh, give over. Stuart waved the nervous man out of the room. Im not blaming you. No one can keep Ravenscar out if he decides to come in. Just go fetch me some tea. No, make that coffee. Very strong.
Very good, sir. The man backed subserviently out of the room.
When did you get him? Devin asked, strolling over to a chair and flopping down in it. Nervous sort.
Yes. I know. Afraid Ill let him go. I will, too, Stuart went on meditatively, if he dont stop messing up my ascots. I miss Rickman. Damn that Holingbroke for stealing him away from me.
Hardly stealing, Devin pointed out mildly. I believe he offered to actually pay the man.
Stuart grimaced, muttering, No loyalty. He rubbed his hands over his face and sighed. Damn, Dev, what are you doing here? I have the most ferocious headache.
Mmm. Not feeling too well myself. But my mother and sister visited me an hour ago.
No excuse to inflict yourself on me, his friend pointed out reasonably.
Lady Ravenscar wants me to marry.
Stuarts eyebrows rose. Anyone in particular?
An American heiress. Fur traders daughter or some such thing.
An heiress, eh? Some people have all the luck. Whats her name?
I have no idea. I have no intention of marrying her.
Good Gawd, why not? Youre on your last legs. All of London knows it.
Im not done in yet, Devin protested.
Stuart snorted. You owe at least three gentlemen of our acquaintance gambling debts, and you know your name will be blackened if you dont pay them soon. Last night we had to leave by your back door, if youll remember, because that damned bill collector was hanging about out front. No need to pay a tradesman, of coursewont ruin your name. But its a damned nuisance, tripping over those fellows all the time.
Devin sighed. I know. Its worse than it was that time Father cut me off. At least then everyone knew I had an inheritance coming when he died. Between gambling and putting people off, I did all right.
Not the same now, though. Theres no blunt lying in your future. Ive experienced it for yearsyounger son, they know I wont inherit, never give me an inch. Its bloody unfair, but there you have it. Tailors are the worst. As if it dont bring them plenty of other business, my wearing their suits.
Devin smiled faintly at his friends logic. Thats true. Its terribly selfish of them to want to get paid.
Thats what I told that Goldman chap, but he just kept chattering about payment. Finally had to give him a few guineas to shut him up. He brightened a little. Mayhap Ill pay him off, now that I won that pot. He stopped, frowning. But no, theres that gold-handled cane I saw yesterdayrather spend it on that. Whats the use of paying for something you already have?
Good point. I am sure Goldman will understand.
Oh, no. Stuart, not given to sarcasm, especially upon waking, shook his head. Hell squawk. I may have to start going to another chap. Pity. Fellow knows how to make the shoulders of my coats exactly as I like them.
Padded?
Stuart rolled his eyes. Why did you say you came here?
The American heiress.
Oh, yes. Are you saying youre thinking of not jumping on the offer?
The last thing I want is a wife.
Yes. Damned nuisances, usually. Stillhard to argue with having coins in your pocket. What else are you going to do, anyway? Youve run through your entire fortune. Told me so yourself.
Such as it was. The earls of Ravenscar have been improvident for years. Even my father, holy soldier that he was, spent money like water.
There you have it. Have to do something to recoup the family fortunes. Its your duty as an Aincourt and all that. Thats the good thing about being a younger son. Dont have to worry about family duty much. Usually involves doing something boring, duty does.
Yes. Dev was silent for a moment, then said quietly, What about your sister?
Leona? Stuart looked at him uncomprehendingly. What does it have to do with her?
Dev raised an eyebrow and looked at him pointedly.
Oh, that. Well, it makes no difference if youre married, does it? Leonas shackled to Vesey. Been that way this whole time, hasnt she? Why shouldnt you be married, too? This fur trappers daughter wont change anything. Get an heir on her and pack her off to Darkwater and enjoy her money. He looked up as the door opened and his valet entered with a tray. Ah, there you are. Set it on the table and fetch my dressing gown. Dev, be a good chap and look in that cabinet. There should be some Irish whiskey in it. Make the coffee palatable.
Of course. Devin went over to the small Oriental cabinet and rummaged about in it until he found a small bottle of whiskey. He didnt know why he worried about such things, he thought as he pulled out the bottle and added liberal splashes of alcohol to the cups of coffee the valet had poured for them. Stuart, and nearly everyone else he knew, would not give a moments thought to marrying this woman. And if they did hesitate, it would be only at the thought of mingling their blue blood with her common sort. Once they were married, he would, of course, have control of her money, and there would be nothing to stop him from leaving her at Darkwater as Stuart suggested, while he went back to his life in Londonwith Leona. Nor would he be technically disloyal to Leona. She was married, after all. And one could hardly expect him to let the line of Aincourts fail just because he loved a married woman.