“Never paid much attention before, but it makes sense. Dandridge is allied with Pitt, and despite all of Fox’s attempts, Pitt still holds the reins in Parliament.”
“Precisely.” Dewhurst waved an arm, the lace at his sleeves fluttering. “She was brought to point non plus. A little coaxing from her father, all the bit about honor and duty, probably did the trick.”
“Hmm.”
Freddie scrutinized him for a moment and took a leisurely sip of his gin, finally inured to the taste. “Perhaps I was wrong after all. It is female trouble.”
Alex snorted. “Not likely. I’m in London on business.”
“Need help?”
“It’s a minor affair. I’ll be back in Hampshire by the end of the week.”
“Hampshire?” Freddie lowered his voice, the vapid expression on his face replaced by one approaching solemnity. “Is Paris becoming too dangerous? I haven’t heard anything.”
“Wentworth advised me to disappear for a few months.” Alex kept his voice low but his manner casual. “Old Boney’s up to something, but I’m stuck here because of a few sketchy rumors.”
“Perhaps you’ll find something to occupy you in London then.” Freddie waggled his brows.
“My talents are wasted in London,” Alex said, ignoring Freddie’s meaning. “Neither you nor Middleton needs me.” Alex glanced around the room, now crowded with peers and gentlemen of the ton dressed in their finest. “Where is Sebastian, anyway?”
Dewhurst was rarely seen without his cousin by his side, and Alex had known Sebastian almost as long as he’d known Freddie.
Freddie rolled his eyes and emitted a world-weary sigh. “He’s fallen in love again. Dash it, but that puppy makes a fool of himself over some woman once a month.”
Alex smiled at this unfortunate but accurate description. “Who is she this time?”
“He’s dangling after Lady Henrietta, wife of Lord Randall.”
“Randall? Not Edmund Randall?”
“The same.”
“The man is sixty if a day!”
“Yes, and his new wife obviously appreciates the merits of a younger man. But if Middleton isn’t more circumspect in this affair, he may find himself with another glove at his feet and an appointment at dawn.” Freddie’s hand went to his collar, loosening it. “Randall was in the navy. His aim is no doubt much better than the chap who challenged Sebastian last. What was his name? Blake?”
“I’ll talk to Middleton. It’s something to do besides spend my time with my brother’s in-laws.”
Alex swallowed his drink and rose. He’d taken three or four steps when Freddie called, “I have a new Italian phrasebook. Call on me if it becomes necessary!” His laughter echoed through the room, and a few of the other club members smiled wryly at the jest.
Alex raised his arm in an obscene gesture and kept walking.
The next morning the sun shone through the windows of Alex’s carriage, promising a pleasant day. He hoped his meeting with Lord Brigham was as pleasant. Was it too much to ask that Lady Brigham, whose love of all things Italian was superseded only by her horrendous pronunciation of the language, wouldn’t be at home today? And after the temptations of the previous evening, was it too much to hope that their youngest daughter be absent as well? Unlikely, but a man could dream, couldn’t he?
But by the time he’d arrived at the Brighams’ town house, Alex had convinced himself that even if Lucia was about, handling both her temper and his unwelcome attraction to her wouldn’t pose a problem. She was only a woman, he mused. Not any different from the rest of her species.
After all, how unmanageable could one female be?
Chapter Four
“Buongiorno!”
Lucia jumped out of the chair she’d just taken as her mother swept into the cheery breakfast room.
“Buongiorno, mia figlias!”
“Buongiorno, Mamma,” Lucia answered, trying to appear as though she’d meant to catapult to attention. Not fooled, Francesca gave her a questioning look before turning away from the sideboard to greet their mother. “Buongiorno, Mamma.”
