“You’re not getting Louisa, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Draker growled.
Alec rolled his eyes. “For God’s sake, I don’t want a chit fresh out of the schoolroom. I’d prefer a mature woman who understands the rules of English society: Do as you please as long as you’re discreet. Raise hell in private as long as you behave well in public. Pretend that marriage is about love, when we all know it’s about money and position.”
“Sounds rather cynical,” Draker said.
“You of all people know it’s accurate. Why else do you escape society at your estate in Hertfordshire?” When Draker scowled, Alec added, “Not that I blame you. I tried escaping by staying abroad instead of returning here to demand my due when I came of age. That’s why I’ve nearly lost everything.”
He smiled grimly. “I learned my lesson. You play by their rules—at least in public—to get what you want. And I want to restore Edenmore. If that means hunting a fortune like the other penniless lords, then, by God, I’ll hunt a fortune.”
Draker shook his head. “Any heiress with that kind of money is armed to the teeth against fortune hunters. And if she isn’t, her father will be.”
“The man’s an earl,” Byrne told Draker. “Plenty of merchants would gladly pay to have their daughters made into countesses.”
“For such a large sum?” Alec went to stoke up the fire. “What fool would hand over his precious daughter and seventy-five thousand pounds to a fortune-hunting lord with a reputation for abandoning his family in the pursuit of pleasure? I can’t tell the truth about my time abroad without explaining the real reason for my estrangement from my father, which I don’t want to do.”
He stared into the flames. “But the rumors alone won’t damage my chances, as long as I hide my penury while I’m courting. I plan to take my heiress in hand before she learns of my finances.” He wouldn’t make the old earl’s mistake—letting his intended wife know he was marrying her for money. That only led to trouble.
Dusting his hands off on his trousers, he faced them again. “That’s why I need your help. I have to secure my heiress before the truth about my situation reaches London. Trouble is, I don’t know any. I was too young to be in society when I left, and I don’t have the weeks it will take me to learn who’s who.”
He narrowed his gaze on Byrne. “You move in those circles and deal with financial matters every day. You could give me the information I need.”
When Byrne looked stony, Draker cleared his throat. “Since I’ve been out of society half my life, I can’t imagine what goodIcould do you.”
Tearing his gaze from Byrne’s, Alec said baldly, “You could loan me a carriage. Most things I can get on credit, but not something that large.”
“You don’t even own a carriage?” Byrne said in disbelief.
Alec stiffened. By God, he hated this begging. “My father sold both our carriages, along with the London town house, which is why I live here at the Stephens Hotel. I can keep my lodgings secret, but if I always show up in a hack, someone will get suspicious.” He stared at Draker. “And I figured since you—”
“Don’t go into society,” Draker finished, “I could spare you a carriage.”
Alec nodded tightly. “I promise to keep it in good working order.”
Draker appeared more amused than insulted. “If you will also promise not to harness a lot of ill-matched nags to it—”
“You’ll help me?” Alec broke in. “You’ll join this alliance I propose?”
“I suppose it can’t hurt. Especially if my pesky sister gets a decent husband out of it.” Draker arched a shaggy brown brow. “And not a fortune hunter.”
Alec smiled ruefully. “I hope my heiress’s relations are not so particular.”
“I know of one who might suit your needs,” Byrne put in. When Alec turned to stare at him, he added with a shrug, “Gamblers do talk.”
Alec’s blood thundered in his ears. “So you’ll join this alliance, too?”
“The Royal Brotherhood.” A muscle ticked in Byrne’s jaw. “It’s all well and good for you and Draker—in the eyes of the law, you’re legitimate. But you can’t make me legitimate, or gain me the respect Prinny denied me and my mother.”
“Surely we can help you obtainsomethingyou want. I promise you’ll gain as much as we do from this enterprise.”
“I intend to,” Byrne said tersely. “Besides, it might be amusing to watch you succeed under our good father’s very nose.”
For the first time in many weeks, hope swelled in Alec’s chest. “Then it’s agreed? We’ll join hands as brothers to achieve all that we desire?”
“Agreed,” Draker murmured.
“Agreed.” Byrne poured more brandy for them all. “This calls for a toast.” He rose and lifted his glass. “To the Royal Brotherhood of Bastards, and their future prosperity.”
The other two stood and lifted their glasses to echo the toast.
