Kenneth leaned back in his chair with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “It most certainly is,” he purred, taking a slow sip of his brandy. “It seems that our dear Lord Harrington has a certain fondness for the fairer sex. Outside the confines of marriage, of course.” He lowered his glass on the table, looking straight at Wilhelm.
“A fondness for women, you say?” Wilhelm mused, his mind already racing with possibilities. “This could prove quite useful.”
Kenneth nodded, his grin widening. “Yes, our esteemed Lord Harrington has been keeping a mistress.” He paused, letting the implications of his words sink in. “A barmaid, no less.”
Wilhelm’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “A barmaid?” He snickered. “How unconventional.”
“Quite so.” Kenneth chuckled. “It seems that Lord Harrington has a taste for the base and unusual. And I am utterly delighted to report that there is more.”
Wilhelm curled his fingers around his glass, his eyes never leaving Kenneth’s as he waited for his full report with barely concealed anticipation.
“More?” he murmured, his voice tinged with restrained excitement.
Kenneth nodded, grinning. “It seems this liaison has borne fruit, so to speak.”
“Harrington has sired an illegitimate child with the barmaid?” Wilhelm asked, taking a slow sip of his drink, the rich scent of the liquor filling his nostrils as he continued to study Kenneth’s expression.
Kenneth nodded and slammed his fist on the table with gusto. “With the barmaid,” he snorted, before he let out a loud, sharp laugh and slapped his thighs.
Wilhelm leaned back in his chair, his face alight with a genuine smile and his eyes sparkling with amusement as he shook his head in disbelief at Lord Harrington’s stupidity.
An illegitimate child. A secret heir. This was a weapon he could wield, a formidable instrument that he could employ to destroy Harrington’s carefully constructed image.
“This is excellent news, Gaverton. Well done, old chap,” he said. “Priceless information, indeed. We shall dispatch him with haste.”
Kenneth nodded, his expression turning serious. “But we must tread carefully. Harrington is a powerful man with many allies. We cannot afford to make a single mistake.”
Wilhelm shrugged “I am well aware of the risks, Gaverton,” he assured him, his voice a low growl. “But I will not back down. Harrington and his ilk have taken far too much from me for far too long. It is time for them to pay.”
He paused, his mind racing with possibilities.
“We need a plan,” he muttered pensively, his eyes narrowing as he sorted through their options. “A strategy that will expose Harrington’s indiscretions and bring him to his knees.”
Several moments later, Kenneth bolted upright, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “I have an idea,” he began. “One that will not only ruin Harrington but also elevate your standing in Society.”
“Full of surprises today, are you not?” Wilhelm chuckled and raised an eyebrow, lightly tapping his glass on the table. “Tell me more.”
Kenneth’s grin widened. “It is high time for a grand ball, Ravenshire,” he declared. “An occasion that will quickly becomethe talk of the Ton. You will, of course, participate in its execution.”
Wilhelm frowned quizzically and rested his chin on his palm. “A ball?” he repeated, skeptical but still intrigued. “And how will thisballbring about Harrington’s downfall?”
“Harrington must see you back in the game, so to speak,” Kenneth explained. “He must see that you are back, and he is not safe either.”
Wilhelm’s ruthless smile returned. “Indeed. After I make my appearance, we shall need to be meticulous in our preparation,” he stated, his eyes narrowing in thought. “I shall carefully orchestrate each and every detail to ensure Harrington’s demise.”
Kenneth’s grin widened. “Leave that to me. You go to your ball,” he assured, his voice filled with confidence. “I shall take care of the other details.”
“Excellent,” Wilhelm murmured, his eyes glinting with cold satisfaction. “I do not doubt that you will, as always, exceed my highest expectations. You have done well, Kenneth.”
Kenneth blinked in surprise, his eyebrows rising comically towards his hairline. “Did you just compliment me?” he asked, astonished. “Well, well, well. Ravenshire, marriage seems to have softened you.”
A flash of annoyance crossed Wilhelm’s face, and he pressed his lips together into a thin line.
“Do not mistake credit for flattery,” he said coldly, his eyes narrowing. “I merely acknowledged your competence.”
Kenneth chuckled. “Competence?” he repeated in an amused tone as he shook his head and smiled. “I believe the word you are searching for isbrilliance. Not to mention you called me by my Christian name.”
Wilhelm’s jaw clenched, his patience wearing dangerously thin. “I shall not indulge your self-aggrandizement,Gaverton,” he stated, his voice clipped as he emphasized the Marquess’ title.
