Chapter Nine
Gideon relaxed in Asher’s study after his brother had spent some time going over estate matters that related to properties they owned jointly.
Although Asher held the title of earl, Gideon couldn’t complain about the investments his brother had continued to uphold during Gideon’s absence.
His brother had never given up thinking he would one day be found.
How often had he told Gideon upon his return from France that he wouldn’t believe any rumors that Gideon was dead on the field until he saw his body.
Thankfully, Gideon’s memory had returned, enough for him to know his identity and return to English soil.
“Do I need to harp on you to attend the Colville affair at the end of next week?” Asher asked, pouring another splash of brandy into Gideon’s empty glass.
He couldn’t help that he rolled his eyes. “Mother is relentless,” he grumbled into his glass before taking a sip. He hated when their mother meddled in his personal life. There was plenty of time for him to find a bride at only nine and twenty.
Asher chuckled before lifting his own glass in a silent toast. “Let’s just say that the sooner there is even a prospect of a potential wife for you is the only time she’ll let the matter rest.” He gave Gideon a sly, knowing grin. “Did you have anyone in mind?” he asked.
“Hardly. When have I had the time or the inclination as yet to attend any of the rounds of balls for London’s elite. Besides… you know how I feel about the Season. I’m a mere second son and hardly marriage material for those looking for a titled husband.”
Asher waved off his comment with a snort of disgust. “We’ve had this conversation before, brother. You may be a second son but you are more than capable of affording a wife and keeping her in the lap of luxury.”
“I care not for the young and spoiled ladies who will only look down their aristocratic noses at me. They only see my scar and have no desire to be with someone who is so disfigured.”
“Perhaps you just haven’t met the right woman as yet. Any woman who merits your affection won’t see the scar but the man himself,” Asher answered, studying Gideon from across the space separating them.
Gideon gave a laugh that was more snarky than he intended. “Well… I will certainly let you know when I meet this paragon of virtue who can see me for who I really am. I highly doubt such a woman exists.”
Asher gave him another odd look. “As long as you are open to the possibilities that one might come your way in the coming weeks.”
Gideon narrowed his eyes to glare at his brother. “What are you not telling me? You’ve got that same expression on your face that I saw when we were young. It bodes ill for me.”
Asher threw up his hands. “I will admit to nothing and I am certainly not interfering with any plans Mother might be concocting on your behalf.”
Gideon tapped one finger on the glass he held before pointed it at Asher. “What about your wife?” he remarked dryly.
“Patience has a will of her own, as you are very well aware. If she is concocting anything on your behalf, I’m certain she only has your best interest in mind.”
“Right,” he snapped sharply. “Just like the time she wanted to set me up with her cousin. I wasn’t interested then, and I’m certainly not interested now.”
Asher couldn’t keep the smirk from creeping up at the corner of his lips. “Be careful what you don’t ask for… you might be missing out on someone spectacular,” he replied with another amused look passing across his features.
“I’m not interested.”
“Are you certain? Maybe I didn’t tell you that Patience’s cousin and her best friend are visiting here for an extended time. I’m certain we can arrange a meeting between the two of you. We are all family, if that holds any merit.”
“Absolutely not!”
“I don’t know why you’d object. I’m certain Patience can vouch for her cousin. She has the potential to make you a perfectly suitable wife,” Asher answered.
“I don’t need anyone who is only perfectly suitable nor do I need to be set up by relatives.
When I do ask a woman to be my wife, I can only hope that it’s because we love one another, much like yourself and Patience.
I am not about to go into marriage if I don’t hold a fair amount of affection for the lady. ”
Asher shrugged his shoulders. “Well… I’m sure the opportunity to meet the lady and her friend will present itself at some time during the Season or if you come here for dinner.
You only missed them by a few minutes when you arrived.
They were off to the dressmaker for some final adjustments on gowns Patience had stitched up for them. ”
“Then I’m happy I was running late so Patience didn’t put me in a position to meet her cousin in whom I would never hold any interest.”
“Never? You haven’t even met her as yet.”
“And as I have previously stated, I have no desire to meet her or her friend. Just leave it be, Ash.” Gideon stood and headed for the door. “I’ll be at the Lyon’s Den this evening if you care to join me and Leopold Ford.”
“I’ll let you enjoy yourself. I’ve paid my debt to the Black Widow of Whitehall and have no desire to owe that woman a favor,” Asher said with a laugh. “Best be careful, brother, and don’t let your luck run out. That woman can be vicious when you owe her.”
“I’ll never fall into one of her marriage traps,” Gideon projected, feeling lucky for this evening’s round of gambling.
“Said every other gentleman who ends up owing Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but good luck avoiding her trap, anyway,” Asher replied with what appeared to be another knowing look.
“Are you trying to wish me bad luck?” Gideon asked feeling something tip inside him and it wasn’t anything that would be in his favor.
Asher threw up his hands. “Absolutely not. Enjoy your evening at the Black Widow’s tables.”
“You’ll know where to find me if you change your mind. Tell Patience I’m sorry I missed her,” Gideon replied before heading toward the study door.
But once he was in his carriage a sudden sense of doom came over him. Maybe going to the Lyon’s Den wasn’t a good idea after all.