Page 259 of From Rakes to Riches

“Do you want to look as though you haphazardly repaired your costume, which will only contribute to your notoriety?”

He hated that she made sense. Dropping his hands to his sides, he surrendered to her ministrations. “Why were you here with Aldington?”

She arched a dark brow as her fingers worked beneath his chin. “I should think that would be obvious.”

“But how? He doesn’t consort with courtesans. He’s as staid as the bloody Archbishop of Canterbury.”

“Do you promise not to say anything?” She looked him in the eye, and he knew she wouldn’t reveal a thing if he didn’t.

“Yes. Explain.”

“Since you abandoned me”—she sniffed for some sort of dramatic effect—“I’ve attended a few Cyprian balls to find a new protector. As one in my position must do.”

Tobias felt bad about that, but Barbara had always said how much she enjoyed her work, especially when she could find a kind and generous benefactor such as him. “I believed I gave you enough of a settlement that you wouldn’t have to look for someone new right away. Or even this Season.”

“You did, but I am easily bored. And I believe you know that, unless you weren’t paying attention. Which I know can’t be true becauseyounever bored me in the slightest.” She patted his lapels and stood back, surveying her work. “You’ll do.”

“Did you meet Aldington at a Cyprian ball?” Tobias was shocked to hear this. He couldn’t imagine Lucien’s brother would want to be recognized at such an event, and he surely would have been.

“A masquerade a few nights ago.” That made a bit of sense at least. “He very awkwardly approached me for a liaison—nothing permanent, at least not yet. He was extremely nervous. I had the impression he’d never negotiated with a courtesan before.”

“That would not surprise me.” Tobias plucked up his coat and pulled it on. Lastly, he returned to the mirror and smoothed his hair. Satisfied he no longer looked like he’d just shagged his soon-to-be-wife, even if he certainly felt like it, he went to fetch his gloves.

He paused at the door. “Barbara, do me a favor, please?”

“Anything.” She sauntered toward him, her hips swaying. “You know you may have any favor you like.”

“Not that kind. If I wasn’t clear before, I have no intention on bedding anyone other than my wife. Ever.”Wife.How he loved the sound of that. He pulled on his gloves. “If Aldington returns to you, ensure that he truly wants to engage in a liaison. I would hate for him to do anything he would regret.” He met her gaze. “And that is not a reflection on you. I just know him well enough to believe this behavior is so outside who he is that he may befilled with remorse. In fact, I would strongly advise you move on to another candidate.”

Her lush red lips curved into a soft smile. “You’re a good friend, Toby.”

“I try to be—and I will be to you. Always. Good night, Barbara.”

Tobias wondered how Fiona had found her way downstairs and hoped she hadn’t encountered anyone here on the men’s side. Even though there was an assembly going on next door, many gentlemen were simply at their club, spending their evening in the gaming room or the members’ den. He ought to have discussed that with her before she left.

Hurrying down to the first floor, he didn’t pause to see who might be in the members’ den. He did, however, nearly run into Lucien, who came toward the staircase from that very room.

Lucien glanced up the stairs. “You’re coming down? What were you about on the second floor?”

It was a valid question since the only rooms up there were Lucien’s office, the bedchambers Tobias had mentioned to Fiona, and a storage room. “I was, ah, dallying with my bride-to-be.”

Lucien grinned. “Congratulations. All of your worrying was for naught then.”

Tobias rolled his eyes. “I encountered a most peculiar person up there.”

“Not your betrothed?”

“Your brother. In the company of my former mistress. He had a key to the room we were in. He can have only obtained it in one way.”

“By stealing it from me?”

Tobias narrowed one eye at him. “Is that really what happened?”

“No. I gave it to him.” Lucien exhaled. “It’s my bloody club, Deane. If I want to give my brother access to a bedchamber so he can shag someone, I will.”

“You’re helping him commit adultery?”

“He’s viciously unhappy.”

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