“No. His reputation is stainless. But that’s all the more reason there must be gossip, scandal, a hint of impropriety, we can dig up. And all the more reason gathering gossip on them will gain us what we want—a release from matrimonial obligations. They won’t want to muddy their spotless reputation, after all.”
Grayson leaned back into the armchair and allowed himself to relax for the first time in days. How natural it was to fall back into the easy rhythm of friendship with Tobias. Terrifyingly easy, actually. But why stay mad at the man? He was Henrietta’s brother; they’d likely have to spend Christmas together. And christenings.
Christenings. Those meant babies. And babies meant other delightful activities.
“Wake up, Rigsby. Off we go a-gossip hunting.”
Grayson opened his eyes and rose. Then closed them again. He tried opening them once more but the staid vision of Tobias Blake before him was exactly the same as before. “Are you wearing black? All black?”
He shrugged. “The only thing that matched my eye. And don’t ask why I wish to match when I’ve persistently refused to do so since coming of age. I’m not talking about it. Now, focus.”
Grayson followed Tobias down the stairs and out the door. “Where are we going?”
“The Earl of Bennington’s residence.”
“Your grandfather?” Grayson’s pulse raced. Henrietta would be there. But he wouldn’t seek her out. Not yet. He wanted to be able to hold her without fear or misunderstanding or any other bloody walls between them.
“The man’s a veritable fount of information. He’s been around longer than the rest of them. Should’ve kicked the bucket ages ago, but what fun would that be? If there’s even a whiff of scandal surrounding Valingford, or ever has been, he’ll know.”
* * *
The Earl of Bennington stared at Grayson and Blake with wide eyes over round glasses. “Valingford?” His face fell into a satisfied smirk as he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “Don’t you young pups worry about it. I’ve taken care of him.”
“Taken care of him? Grandpapa, what, precisely, do you mean? Do I need to worry about you hanging from the end of a rope anytime soon?”
“No.” Bennington grumbled, “I spoke with him earlier today.” He nodded at Grayson. “Your father was there, too. Together, we put the duke’s thumbs to the screws. There will be no gossip.” He stood and wagged a finger at Grayson. “I expect a proper proposal from you, Lord Rigsby. A proper courtship, too. There’s to be no eight-month baby. Do you understand?”
Grayson stared down the man’s wagging finger and into very serious eyes. They contained steel. “Yes, my lord. I understand. Henrietta deserves no less.”
Bennington clapped. “Grand!”
“I hate to interrupt this interlude,” Tobias drawled, “but how, exactly, did you get the duke to stop his wife from gossiping? Curiosity overwhelms me. I must know.”
Bennington waved them both close, and they leaned in. He waved them closer, and they leaned in further still. “He’s money poor!” Bennington guffawed. “No ready blunt. Not even a dowry for his daughter.” His gaze flicked toward Grayson. “Your arrangement with the young lady was, I assume, how your father knew such a juicy little detail.”
Blake leaned back with a whistle. “And you knew, Grandpapa, because you know everything.”
“Don’t forget it, boy.”
“You’ve deprived us of our fun,” Tobias sighed. “Now what do we do?”
Bennington looked at the clock across the room. “Unless I miss my mark, Hen is currently braving what she thinks is a scornful ton full of gossip about her virtue. She will wish to know the gossip has been stopped before it began.”
The old man made an excellent point. Grayson slapped his hat back on his head. “I’ll be back tomorrow, Bennington. We’ll talk details then.”
“Hold on, Grayson, I’m coming along. Nothing better to do.”
Bennington followed them to the door and waved them down the street. “Have fun! I’m going to take a nap.” He rubbed the knuckles of his right hand absently. “Exhausting day, you know.”
Tobias kept stride with Grayson as they headed toward Hyde Park. “That was anticlimactic. Here we are planning for a brawl when the brawl has already been won for us. By a couple of aged roosters.”
“I don’t care how it was done, Tobias. It’s done.” And his father had helped. His father! Would this day cease to produce miracles? Grayson’s entire world seemed flipped upside down from grim despair and determination to hope and happiness, and all before dinner. Remarkable.
“Next stop, happily ever after, I suppose.”
Grayson pulled his hat down low. “Yes, something exactly like that.”
Chapter 24
