found himself bound to someone who, at any time, could ruin him in some way.
As he sat in the large room with a glass of brandy in his hand, he realized he hadn’t put restrictions on what Kitty could purchase. Up to now, his only thought had been what she might do to ruin his reputation. He’d hired Miss Britcher to handle that. It wasn’t ideal to have to rely on a lady to ensure his wife’s fidelity, but it was for the best.
He only hoped Miss Britcher’s words of disdain for impropriety wasn’t an act. She possessed no warmth, and she certainly had no charm. It was easy to be around a lady like her and find nothing of interest about her. So, while it was unfortunate he had to hire a chaperone for his wife, he was certain he couldn’t have selected a better one for this particular job. Kitty’s days of seducing gentlemen were at an end.
At least until she produced him a healthy son. At that point, he’d let her go to do whatever wanton thing she wished so long as she did it in another country. There was no way she was going to engage in any kind of debauchery while the Ton could find out about it. Maybe he’d put her on a ship and send her to America. Then she’d be so removed from his life that he could pretend she’d died.
“Are you sure Lord Roderick isn’t here?” someone asked from the other side of the room.
Aaron looked up from his glass of brandy as Mr. Christopher Robinson entered the room, ten gentlemen following behind him.
“Yes, we’re sure,” Lord Powell replied. “He’s not hiding in a room somewhere. And Lord Reddington is at the entrance. He’ll let us know if Lord Roderick comes here.”
“Relax and sit,” Lord Davenport said. “You don’t have to worry about him finding out about the wager. We’re all bound to secrecy.”
Lord Edon nodded as he sat down. “Right. None of us will reveal what you’re planning.” He glanced at Aaron. “Right?”
“I have no need to tell Lord Roderick anything,” Aaron replied.
Lord Edon gave a satisfied smile in his friend’s direction. “You’re safe here.”
“I can’t let you stay here,” Mr. Robinson said.
Lord Edon frowned. “Why not?”
“Because you bet on Lord Roderick,” Mr. Robinson replied. “For all I know, you plan to tell him what I’m going to do.”
Lord Edon gasped and put his hand over his chest.
Aaron resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Leave it to Lord Edon to feign shock.
“Why would I do that?” Lord Edon asked. “I bet on Lord Roderick because I want to lose.”
“That seems doubtful,” Lord Powell spoke up as the others sat down.
“It’s true,” Lord Edon insisted. “I’m tired of winning every single bet I enter. It’s time I lost for once.” He looked at Mr. Robinson. “You know how hard I’ve been trying to lose. I already told you that I believe you can win this thing.”
Mr. Robinson gave his friend a thoughtful look before he settled back in his chair. “I suppose it won’t hurt if he stays.”
“We bet on you,” Lord Powell told Mr. Robinson. “We have a right to be here. We put money on you. Lord Edon didn’t. For that reason alone, we should have a right to demand he leave, and,” he added when Lord Edon opened his mouth, “we demand no one tells him anything. Not even you, Mr. Robinson. I, for one, would like to make some money off of this wager.”
The other gentlemen nodded their agreement.
Aaron sipped his brandy, far more interested in whether Mr. Robinson would forbid his friend from being a part of this conversation than whether or not he could scare Lord Roderick.
After a long moment, Mr. Robinson sighed. “All right.” He faced his friend. “You can’t stay.”
Lord Edon’s jaw dropped. “But we’re friends.”
“If you really feel that way, you should have put your money on him,” Lord Powell said.
Lord Edon groaned. “I want to lose. I am supporting my friend.”
“I believe you, but the others don’t,” Mr. Robinson replied. “I’m sorry, but I can’t betray the others, especially when money is at stake.”
“Fine. I thought it was apparent to everyone that I don’t like Lord Roderick, but I suppose it’s not.” Lord Edon rose from his chair and left the room.
Lord Powell jumped up and went to the doorway so he could see where Lord Edon was going. He waited for a few seconds then said, “He’s no longer