“That was all Cromby. He’s been dealt with. Besides, he serves as a useful example to any miscreant who dares follow in his footsteps.”
“So, you’re saying Selena doesn’t require protection.”
“I’m saying you can manage your sister all by yourself.”
“Lady Theodosia—”
“Has six brothers,” Warrick finished for him.
“And where are they? None of them are in London.”
Warrick shrugged. “Perhaps word hasn’t yet spread to where they are, or perhaps they aren’t worried. And if they aren’t worried about their sister, then neither should you be.”
Saville sent him a look. “Why are you such a grump? Has your family curse claimed more of your hair?”
Warrick scowled. “Blackguard.”
“And weren’t you the one who heroically stood up for my sister in the cardroom just the other night? Nearly brought me to tears.”
“It nearly gave you heart palpitations. Take care or that temper of yours or it will send you to an early grave.” Lord knows, they could all use a reprieve from it.
Saville tapped the window with the tip of his finger. “I lost my temper at the Ashworth ball, I’ll admit, but you were still going on about how you were the guardian and so on and so forth.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“Just like that? Did my sister get your hackles up again? What did she do now?”
Warrick looked away. He chose not to answer that, lest his friend’s temper explode in this terribly confided space.
Saville chuckled. “Fine, do as you wish. After today, I won’t force your hand.”
That was easy. Almost too easy. But he wasn’t about to question this boon. “Thank you.”
Saville diverted his attention back to the window. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered. “Why the devil would she host a tea party and not invite any men?’
Warrick’s brow inched upward. “Thatis what you find ridiculous?”
“Why? Don’t you?”
“I find it more ridiculous that we are hiding in a carriage peeking at a lady’s house.”
“You are right,” Saville sneered. “Men should not hide in carriages. We are better than that.”
Are we?Warrick had his doubts.
“We should be in there, in the thick of things.” Saville squared his shoulders and adjusted his cravat. “Come on, let’s go.”
Warrick massaged his temples. Another habit he developed when with a Savage. “Go where?”
“Staying in the carriage is getting us nowhere. We should slip into the house and spy from a room that gives us a view of the party.”
God above. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
Because I am avoiding your sister.Because if he entered that house... he might falter.
Again.
