Page 24 of A Whisper of Desire
He shuddered at the idea, and it took all of his self-control not to go to Marisa.
So instead of slipping into his empty bed, he kept to his routine and settled in his chair by the fire to finish reading a chapter ofThe History of James II.He always read one chapter of a book every night, regardless of the time he got ready for bed or what he wanted to do when in his bed.
After all, strictly imposed self-discipline was all that stopped him from becoming his father. He’d watched his father dissolve into a sadistic pervert who’d ended up mad from syphilis.
That was not how he would end up.
Chapter 7
Maitland was not surprised when Marisa did not join him for breakfast at nine the next morning. Whether she was still asleep, as most young ladies at this hour were apt to be, or she was hiding from him after his less-than-chivalrous sending to her room last night he did not know.
For the moment he was enjoying his solitude. He was silently congratulating himself for having made it through the night without going to her room, and thank God for Gilbert. His valet’s presence stopped him from storming her room this morning.
He was about to tuck in to his eggs and ham, when in strolled Arend. Maitland’s appetite disappeared.
He almost growled his greeting. “How did you know I would be receiving? I did get married yesterday.”
Arend casually moved to the sideboard and filled his plate. “You, Your Grace, are a man of habit. You always break your fast at nine. I did not think a marriage of convenience would stop you.”
An eyebrow rose. “That is none of your business.” At times it irked him that Arend understood him so well. Perhaps it was because they were so alike. Arend hid dark secrets too.
Arend stopped halfway to the table and looked round. “I don’t see Her Grace here, so I thought I’d grab this opportunity to discuss how we can loosen Angelo’s tongue.”
“That’s not the point. She could have been here.”
“I’ve never known a young lady to rise before noon, let alone a woman who has just had her wedding night.” He hesitated for a moment, egg dripping off his fork. “Unless there was no wedding night?” he asked.
“Bugger off.”
Arend merely chuckled. “She’ll be good for you.”
“I have no idea what you mean.” Before Arend could reply, he added, “And I have no intention of talking about my wife or my marriage with you. So best you tell me what it is you’re after before Marisa joins me.”
Arend merely gave him one of his smiles that could mean anything from “I agree with you” to “You haven’t fooled me.”
Maitland’s temper slipped. “Instead of prying into my private life, why don’t you tell me what plan you have devised? I get the feeling you know a lot more about this man, Angelo, than you are divulging.”
The smile slipped from Arend’s face and he continued to eat. They ate in silence until Arend sat back and rubbed his stomach. He picked up a serviette and wiped his mouth. Only once he had settled back in his chair with a cup of tea did Arend address his plan.
“Angelo is a man who values money above all else. Grayson offered him a fortune, which he turned down. For a man who loves money, for Angelo to indicate to Grayson that he wanted something other than money is very worrisome. Angelo is playing with us, and I mean to find out why.”
Maitland leaned closer to Arend. “Since Angelo owns a brothel, I’m assuming it has a gaming room.” Arend’s sly smile told him all he needed to know. “You want me to break the house.”
Arend nodded. “Money doesn’t seem to be whetting Angelo’s appetite. I intend to make him need money like he needs the air to breathe.”
“It’s likely he’ll evict me long before I can empty his coffers. He surely knows I’m a Libertine Scholar and friend of Grayson’s.”
“I have a plan that may fool him.” Arend sat back in his chair, fiddling with a teaspoon. “As much as I don’t like it, I figure you will have to do this over several days.”
Maitland’s mouth firmed. “I don’t see that plan working. Why would I go to a club like the Top Hat just to play cards? He’d be on to us in a flash. Most men go for the intimate entertainment or to be with their partners in a manner society has deemed illegal.” Angelo’s brothel was a Molly house.
Arend put down the teaspoon and sat up straight. “Now, before you get angry I ask that you hear me out.”
Arend must know he rarely got angry. Anger showed a certain lack of self-control. When Maitland said nothing, Arend continued. “You said you’d agree to let Marisa help—”
“I said nothing of helping. I told her I’d keep her informed.”
Arend tapped his teaspoon against the table. “You said you’d let me finish.” Maitland closed his mouth. “Rumors swirl about Your Grace. You are an enigma to most of society. You are very discreet with your liaisons, to the point that rumors still swirl about you and Priscilla. So it will not be considered that strange to be seen at the Top Hat.”
