Chapter 21
KENDRICK
Deciding it would be best to stay away from Caroline for the rest of the day, I didn’t even try to discover where she’d be tonight.
Instead, I made my way to King’s. It was late afternoon, and the club would be filling with those who wanted to avoid the social events of the season—the bachelors not yet ready to settle down and the older gentlemen who made a point of ignoring their wives.
Penham would probably turn into one of those husbands.
I pushed away the annoying thought. Caroline was smart enough to evade whatever trap the man tried to concoct with her brother.
They’d erred when Weston chose to involve me.
Just because I wasn’t looking for a wife didn’t mean I would allow them to force a bright light like Caroline to marry against her will.
When I reached the club, I made my way to the billiard room. Fairfax was bent over one of the tables, continuing his quest to improve.
“Who’s put that scowl on your face?” The question hadn’t come from Fairfax.
Surely I was mistaken… I turned to face the gentleman with the deep voice and was shocked to see Moreland.
“I thought you were on your wedding trip. Certainly you haven’t grown bored of your wife already?”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Never. To my shock, I find that marriage suits me. Who could have imagined?”
I clapped him on the shoulder and laughed, following him to a free billiard table. “Did you get tired of separating Fairfax from his money?”
“I’m feeling generous today and letting him practice for a bit first.”
He set up the balls and allowed me to take the first shot. We all knew he was the best at billiards, but occasionally one of us could win a game. Except for Fairfax, of course. He played abysmally.
“I’m surprised you returned to town so soon. I didn’t expect to see you again until after the end of the season.”
Moreland waited until my turn was over before replying. As good as he was at the game, he didn’t need to resort to distraction while his opponents were taking aim.
He took his first shot and straightened to face me. “How could I stay away when I heard you’d won the diamond of the season in a card game?”
I swore and closed the space between us. Thankfully, he’d kept his voice low. There were several men in the room who couldn’t be trusted with that information.
My own voice was barely above a whisper. “Who told you that?”
He put down his cue stick and faced me, one brow raised. “Did I hear incorrectly?”
“It was Fairfax, wasn’t it? I’m going to wring his neck. Did he also tell you that he suspected what was happening and didn’t warn me?”
Moreland leaned back against the table and folded his arms across his chest. “I heard he wanted to warn you, but you insisted that you knew what you were doing.”
“Well, clearly, I didn’t.” I would never admit aloud that when I considered all the men with whom Weston could have set his scheme in motion, I was glad he’d chosen me. Many would have tried to force Caroline into their beds that first night.
Moreland was watching me carefully, and I waited. He definitely had something to say about the situation. He wouldn’t have cut short his wedding trip just to laugh at my expense.
Finally, he shook his head. “It was Rexford.”
That surprised me. Rexford wasn’t one to gossip. He was, however, known for strategic maneuvering. “Why?”
Moreland shrugged. “Perhaps he thought I could give you advice on wooing a proper lady.”
I scowled. “If I didn’t know Rexford would kill me for causing his sister any distress, I’d call you out for that.”
Moreland grinned. “He just wanted to let me know in case you needed our help.”
“I’m not wooing—”
Moreland shook his head, his smile widening. Honestly, why was he so happy? It was disconcerting. “Victoria is acquainted with Miss Edwards. Rexford thought it might be prudent to have his sister in London in case she needs to intercede.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “In what way?”
Moreland shrugged again. “I have no idea. But when Victoria heard the news, she was eager to return in case Miss Edwards needed her support. Apparently, she believes you’re going to break the woman’s heart.”
“Well, she needn’t concern herself. Caroline isn’t looking for a husband. She just wants my help in keeping the others away.”
Moreland straightened and picked up the billiard cue again. I watched him as he made quick work of the remaining balls on the table, thankful we hadn’t placed a wager on this game.
“What are you going to do about the money Weston still owes you?”
I explained the scheme Caroline had outlined for when her unclaimed dowry came into her possession. I probably should have called a meeting of the Legends and explained it to everyone in one go.
“So it seems you have the entire matter well in hand,” Moreland said with a nod.
“For now. But Penham is determined to have her, and he’s close to Weston. They’re hoping that I’ll ruin her reputation and discard her, and then he’ll step in and claim her for himself.”
Moreland winced. “Penham was always more style than substance. I certainly don’t envy her having to suffer his attention.” His eyes were fixed on me when he continued. “You could always let him have her.”
“No.”
Now it was Moreland’s turn to clap me on the shoulder. “Careful, old man. You sound a tad possessive there.”
“I’ve given her my word. Besides, it’s not as though I’m desperate for the blunt. When the time comes, I’m not going to accept her money.”
“You could if you married her.”
I shook my head. “Even if I wanted to…” I frowned when I saw the way his face lit up. “I’m not saying I want to marry her. Just that in the unlikely event I took leave of my senses, like you did, she wouldn’t have me. She’s not interested in marrying.”
There was a knowing smirk on Moreland’s lips that had me longing to join him the next time he entered the boxing ring. “So you’re just tolerating her company?”
I leaned back against the billiard table. “I’m passing the time. Besides, it’s vastly entertaining watching Penham tie himself up in knots when he sees me anywhere near her.”
“Are you going to ask her to be your mistress?”
I ignored the way my body lit up at that thought. It was vastly annoying that I’d very much like to do that. But Caroline would never agree, and I didn’t actually want to ruin her. That would be playing right into Penham and Weston’s hands.
“I won’t be making that mistake again. Not after what happened with my last mistress.”
Moreland nodded in sympathy. He’d been here at the start of the season when Mirabelle had spread rumors about me asking her to be my wife.
“But you would bed her.”
I shrugged. “I’m human. Of course I would if the opportunity presented itself.” And I dearly hoped it would.
Moreland clapped me on the shoulder again. “Victoria and I will be here if you, or Miss Edwards, need us. Now, I need to see Fairfax. He won a sizable amount of money from me at cards the last time I was here. I need to even up the score.”
I watched him join Fairfax and Clifton at their billiard table.
Fairfax winced and cursed Moreland. With a sigh, I decided to join them.
Their antics would help distract me from thoughts of Caroline.
I had no doubt Lady Fredricks had already spoken to her and Weston.
I just hoped Caroline’s aunt wouldn’t make things difficult for me, because I had no intention of staying away from her niece.