Page 47 of Never a Bride
“So certain, are you?”
“Yes. He’s my competition.” He took Edmund’s goblet and drained it. “The stuff’s bitter, is it not?”
“I thought it quite good. Willoughby might be on to something.”
“I have something better to talk about.” He turned his back to Emmeline and her guests, as if he were looking out the window. “I need a favor.”
“You have only to ask.”
Alex glanced at him and smiled. “You haven’t heard it yet, old friend.” When Edmund only shrugged, he continued, “I’m short on money since the robbery.”
“I know. Your creditors have begun to question even me.”
“I need a fresh infusion, which means a trip to Cumberland. And I can’t leave London right now. Would you be willing to take the journey for me, as you’ve done so ably before?”
Alex knew it was ridiculous to ask Edmund to leave in the middle of their wager; he was as competitive as Alex himself.
But Alex just couldn’t bring himself to leave town, not when things were going so well with Emmeline. Each day was more interesting than the last, and the wager had paled in comparison.
“I’ll go,” Edmund said quietly.
Alex stared at him. “I was certain you would refuse. There is the wager.”
“There is.”
Was he imagining it, or did Edmund look pale? “We could call it a draw.”
“And why would you want to do that, old friend?”
Alex shrugged, even as he looked at Emmeline. She laughed in response to something Willoughby said, and he watched her fine figure as she leaned back in the chair. She wore lighter colors this day, and she seemed as young and carefree as the girls she entertained. Did Willoughby bring about such ease in her?
“Is it Lady Emmeline?” Edmund asked.
“She is…more of a challenge, I admit.”
“Very well. We’ll discuss the wager when I return. I’ll be off to pack. Come soon and write out a letter to your steward for me.”
“You’re going now?” he asked curiously. “You just arrived.”
Edmund didn’t meet his eyes. “I see no reason to wait. You can explain my departure to the ladies. I’ll see you at the tavern.”
As Edmund walked away, Alex stared after him, feeling uneasy. It wasn’t like his friend to abandon a challenge, especially one involving money. Edmund had been distracted lately, hardly himself. What was going on?
He glanced at Emmeline as she approached, and felt something ease inside him.
“Your friend left rather abruptly,” she said.
“I know. He asked me to beg your forgiveness.”
“He had a pressing errand, I take it?”
“I guess so,” Alex said speculatively. Then he smiled down at her. “But I don’t. I could keep you amused for the rest of the afternoon.”
She sighed, and suddenly he saw her weariness.
“Ah, we are a burden,” he said, before she could answer. “I’ll take all your guests away and let you rest.”
Scrutinizing him, she asked, “You would do that?”
