Page 4 of My Wicked Earl
Nick frowned. “Hmm. Well, I’m only looking out for your best interests. Regardless, you need a woman. Celibacy has made you all dour and thoughtful.” The big shoulders shivered in revulsion. “Christ, you’re as pale as the sheets the maids use to make my bed. Unless, it’s not a woman you need,” his friend left the words hanging in the air.
“You’re anass, Nick. If you weren’t so bloody big I’d call you out for that.” The whiskey sloshed out of Colin’s glass again. Good Lord he couldn’t seem to keep the glass from tipping in his hand. “Not every man is lead around by his cock, as you are.”
“I do agree that it has caused me to make some poor choices in the past. Many poor choices. I see a lovely pair of tits and I fear I lose all control. Can’t help myself.”
“I’m rather more selective.”
Nick leaned forward. “I know a widow. Delightful woman. Rounded in all the right places and quite lovely.”
“A former mistress of yours? No thank you.” Colin drained his glass.
Nick shot him an insulted look. “I should say not. As it happens, she’s just come out of mourning, rather like yourself. Her husband was a business associate. Quite ancient. Died shortly after the wedding. Since you will be at my grandfather’s ball—”
“I never said I would go.” Just the thought of being amongst thetonfilled Colin with dread. “I don’t dance.”
“Have you not just told me you need an introduction to one of Lord Robert Cambourne’s closest associates?”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps if you told me why—”
“No. Stop pestering me.”
Nick held his hands up in supplication. “As you wish. Though I’m not sure why you would want the assistance of a stranger rather than myself.”
Because you would try to manipulate things.“I’ll tell you in good time. I promise.”
“Well then, Lord Cambourne will be at my grandfather’s ball. As will everyone else in London. No one dares defy Henry’s invitation. And I will make sure my widow friend is in attendance as well. She adores brooding men awash in anguish. Which you most definitely are. The Irish are such a dreary race.” Nick wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “She’s a lovely bosom as well.”
“Shut up, Nick. God, you can be annoying. Why have I never noticed before now?”
“Careful, you’ve only got two friends, Hartley, and you can’t afford to insult me since Cam is absent.”
“My glass is empty and so is the bottle.”
“Very helpful, Colin. Where do you suppose that little rodent’s gotten off to?” His shaggy head turned slowly about the room until it stopped. “Never mind.” He lifted his glass in the air to signal to another servant who stood near the far wall.
“Have you heard from him?” Colin asked.
“Who? The rodent?” Nick gave a short laugh. “I’m sure he’s giving his notice as we speak.”
“I meant Cam.” Colin rolled his eyes. “God, youareawful.”
“Not for some time. Cam is terrible at letter writing as you well know. I suppose there’s a lack of paper and ink in the jungles of Macao. I do hope he hasn’t gone and gotten himself killed, although I’m certain that was whatshewas hoping. I certainly can’t fault you for not wishing to call on Cam’s father at Cambourne House with thatbitchin residence.”
The bitch in question being the Marchioness of Cambourne, wife to Lord Robert. Cambourne. Cam’s stepmother made his life a living hell, and Nick was certain she’d had something to do with her stepson’s sudden journey to Macao.
“Cam will be home soon, rest assured. If he’s still—,” Nick sighed “—and I’m certain heis. The Dowager has asked my assistance and the use of a Dunbar ship. He’s coming back even if I have to go and bring him back myself.”
“Indeed. No one dares disappoint Cam’s grandmother.” Colin smiled at the thought of the Dowager Marchioness of Cambourne. “I would enjoy renewing my acquaintance with her.”
“You’ll get your chance. Miranda’s just made her debut so I’m certain the Dowager will be in attendance.”
“Miranda? In a gown making a debut?” Colin snorted thinking of Cam’s younger half-sister. “God, she was so incredibly annoying as a child. Always covered in mud and chattering incessantly until one wanted to put cotton in their ears. Trailing behind me and begging for attention. If she’s grown into anything like her mother, I’ll keep my distance.”
“I’m sure you will.” An odd smile crossed his friend’s face.
Another servant, this one made of sterner stuff than the previous man, returned with a fresh bottle, setting it gently on the table between Colin and Nick, before bowing and sliding away.
