“Bloody hell man, you’ve got the fever bad.”
“I beg your pardon? Fever?” Simon asked surprised.
“I’d know that look anywhere. It’s on Grey’s face every time he looks at his wife. Good god, doIhave that look?” St. Aldwyn asked appalled.
“Do you love your wife?”
“Of course.”
“Then you have the look,” Simon shot back.
“Marvelous. The rocks just keep piling on my long-fought-for reputation,” St. Aldwyn complained.
“I am certain you will survive your tattered repute.”
“Doubtful. So, you love the chit. Have you confessed your adoration to the lady?” St. Aldwyn drawled.
“It’s not something you blurt over a cup of tea.”
Lemon cakes, though, certainly.
“Perhaps, but it’s not something you blurt over a good old absconding either. If I have any splendid advice left to give, it would be to vomit out the words now and not at another unsuspecting, ill-opportune time.”
Hell.
“Sound advice my friend, but now isnotthe most opportune time.”
St. Aldwyn pressed his lips together. “If you haven’t told her, how can you know it’s not the perfect time?”
“Stop being such a wiseclod.”
But as Simon mulled over St. Aldwyn’s words, he rather thought his friend had a point. The fact remained, he had already blurted a confession of love, but she’d misinterpreted the entire context.
Ill-timed, indeed.
“So let us hear this plan of yours to secure the lovely lady as your wife, once again,” St. Aldwyn drawled, crossing one leg over the other. “And though I love the idea of infuriating the hellions, whatwillyou do about those brothers of hers who are lurking about in the shadows? I take it they are not party to your plan?”
“They would flog me if they knew—a damn nuisance that—which is why I won’t be mentioning it to them.”
In truth, Simon still did not quite understand where in his and Belle’s world they would fit in. But considering they were soon to become his family, he supposed he’d have to tolerate them however they came.
“And what of the Shaws?”
“Don’t rightly care what they think about it.”
“Yes, I agree. I would have cut all ties if it weren’t that my wife has taken a fancy to their friendship.”
Simon snorted.
He’d never admit it, but every time Belle spoke to one of the brothers, he had to tamp down a jealousy that set his nerves on edge. They were mountains and ladies swooned whenever they found themselves in their presence. Gentlemen seemed to give them a wide margin as if the wrath of hell would come down on anyone who spoke their names. He did owe a debt to James, though, for saving Belle from drowning. For that, he’d tolerate them within reason.
“It happens tonight.”
St. Aldwyn raised an infuriating dark brow. “Not one for patience, I see.”
Simon scowled at that. “The sooner the better. I’ll have a few days to do some courting—I’m not a complete brute.”
“I suppose there is not much one can do but talk for three days in a carriage. Are you ready to lay bare your heart?”
