bid your badge away in a wager.”
Leon laughed and was suddenly reminded of what he has to say.
“Hey guys, please behave yourself while I’m away. I don’t want to be worrying about you guys back home. Also, I know you all are busy managing your own things, but please check in with Mr. Dalton on how the school is going once in a while.”
“Don’t worry, Big Brother,” said Phoenix. “We would totally make sure everything goes well.”
Leon narrowed his eyes down at her and teasingly replied, “Or so, says the most mischievous little sister in the world. You best not be taking any swords or rifles out to kill a man. You’ll be in total deep due when I return.”
“I’ll make sure to hide all the possible items she would use as weapons,” said Gabriel. “My eyes would be on her at all times.”
“That is a little overdoing, don’t you think?” Phoenix said with a flick of her hair. “What if I need them for protection?”
“I guess you could carry one of the empty cognac bottles from the cover as defense,” said Sheik. “That is usually the proper weapon for young ladies.”
Phoenix just blew Sheik an annoyed raspberry and kept quiet while the others laughed.
“All right,” said Leon as he pulled on the reign of the horse. “You all take care now. I have to go.” He looked at every one of their weary faces and gave them a nod of encouragement. “This would soon be over and we’ll have a normal life again.”
“Make sure to not forget your dagger,” Avangelene said, throwing it up at him. “You’ve told us to keep our treasures safe but yours lying around like rubbish.”
“My bad then.” Leon slid the dagger inside his boot and gave a salute. “So long, guys. I’ll be back in a week or two depending on how long this takes.”
“Send words to us if you need any aid,” said Jack. “We’ll be there.”
“I most certainly will,” Leon said.
With one final look at his siblings he smiled, and tugged at the horse to lead him on his way.
* * *
Lansing Villa
“I don’t think Heartily would approve of this, Laguna,” Gareth Coleridge said as the Duke of Hargate slightly approached the villa of the Marquess of Lansing.
“C’mon, Longsword. Heartily’s not here now. The cards are in our hands and we are to play it well and trump the enemy.”
“You know he places Rose’s feelings highly above everything.”
“Yes,” Laguna said. “But he isn’t here to consider that now. He’s back in Bridlington to deal with his family. We must go with my game to succeed.”
“Are you really sure of this?”
“Gareth, you’re rather wimpish today,” Hargate pointed out. “I know you’re rather an honorable earl but perhaps you can go to Lady Rose now and tell her that her fiancé is at the brothel tonight.”
“Why ever would I do that?”
Laguna put a hand on Longsword’s shoulder and sighed. “Gareth, Gareth. Why are you being such a half-wit? We’re doing this to help Leon gain back his love. He should have Lady Rose back by nightfall tomorrow when he returns. If not so, then before her wedding takes place–though I highly doubt it would after this.”
“You are completely daft, Hargate,” Gareth contradicted. “That is not a proper way to–”
“Trust me. We rather get her to let this marquess go than let her be engaged and suffer from his death that is about to come after everything is approved.”
Gareth still thinks it’s a sin to break an engagement in this way, but somewhat Hargate is right. Leon might not like to gain a love like this, but it seems the only way to make things run smoothly like before.
“Ready?” Hargate asked as they walk up the steps to the door of the Lansing Villa.
“If you are,” Longsword answered.
Hargate gave a knock and the door open within seconds with a maid glaring at them
“Hello, Miss,” Hargate greeted with a flash of his perfect teeth. “Don’t you look lovely today or what? I’m His Grace, the Duke of Hargate. Is his lordship home at the moment?”
The maid suddenly mused at Hargate’s response and fluttered her eyelashes swiftly. “Yes,” she answered sweetly. “His lordship’s home. Come right this way.”
Hargate flashed Longsword a grin and gestured for him to enter first and followed behind.
“I’d rather not be here,” Longsword said lowly, as they follow the maid down the hall.
“Go to Lady Rose and inform her of what I have said earlier then,” Hargate replied.
“Seriously, now?”
“Yes. I’ll get Lansing to