“What are you two whispering about?” Calstone asked. “You should just return home.”
Yes. They should.
“Your marriage has been announced,” his friend went on. “You’ve shown your faces, spare us the rest if this is all you have to offer.”
“I’m not ready to leave yet,” Harriet said.
Will wanted to curse. Loudly.
“In that case, come on Graves,” Calstone said. “Distract me from the two of them. How have you been finding London?”
Graves arched a brow. “Dreary. Wet. Full of busybodies.”
“I couldn’t have described the place better myself.”
“Don’t mind him,” Will said. “Sarcasm rolls right off him.”
“Good to know.”
Will brushed his hand against his wife’s. She smiled at him.
“I can’t even argue against it. It’s true.” Calstone patted Graves on the shoulder. “Join us at our club for a drink sometime.”
Graves inclined his head. “Speaking of which, I’ve heard there’s been an uproar about your betting book.”
“Ah, yes, the book was stolen right from under the members’ noses.”
“Quite the wagers going on in that book,” Graves pointed out.
Will frowned. “What are you getting at, Graves?”
“Did you wager on a certain list?” Graves countered.
“Of course not.”
“But the listdidprovide an opportunity,” Graves pressed.
“Rohan,” Harriet hissed.
“It’s fine,” Will said. “He has a right to ask. The wagers didn’t provide opportunities so much as they provided incentive for mischief. If you are referring to me asking for my wife’s hand, rather than an opportunity, it served more as an awakening of sorts. Does that answer your question?”
Harriet squeezed his fingers. Her clear gaze sent a ripple of comfort down his spine. He loved her eyes on him. He wouldn’t mind if they never left him in this lifetime.
Perhaps it’s time to tell her. To confess your feelings.
The impulse stuck in his chest and wouldn’t let go.
He would tell her. He would tell her soon. The notes were a good place to start. He could build up his confession from there. All he could do then was have faith and trust that she was ready to hear the truth, as ready as he was to impart it.
“I daresay,” Calstone spoke up. “Any sane man would seize the chance to marry such a captivating creature. Unfortunately, Lady Harriet never cast her gaze upon me.”
“You don’t want my gaze on you anyway,” Harriet said drily. “You’d be shaking in your boots.”
“Quite right.”
His wife looked ready to deliver another quip, but her expression suddenly contorted. Before he could ask what was wrong, a hand clamped his shoulder and a familiar, grating voice laughed in his ear. “Leeds, old fellow. Glad to see your mood has improved.”
He stiffened, and he shrugged the hand off his shoulder. “Cromby.” The ice Will infused in that one word gave everyone pause.
