Page 60 of My Wicked Earl
Overindulgence emanated from Ridley, as if he were an overgrown boy whose parents had spoiled him terribly and who assumed the rest of the world would do so as well.
Up close, Colin liked Ridley even less than he had before.
“I have been looking forward to meeting you, as we are of like minds.” Ridley chuckled. “I understand you are an old acquaintance of Lord Cambourne’s.”
Colin did not care for the reminder that he and Ridley were both seeking an heiress.
“I am.” He should have asked the servant circulating the room to bring him the whole bottle of whiskey. He’d need it to tolerate the presence of Ridley.
Ridley’s gaze flickered over the scar on Colin’s cheek. “The Dowager speaks so fondly of you.”
The Dowager did not speak fondly of Ridley, and the edge to the viscount’s words told Colin Ridley knew it.
“How kind of Lady Cambourne.”
The twit was already imagining the flood of invitations at his door when word got out he’d attended a house party with the Cursed Earl.
“You and the Marquess attended Eton together.”
That was no great secret.Get to the point, Ridley.“Yes, along with Dunbar.”
The viscount’s features tightened until he resembled a terrified rodent. That wasn’t unusual. Most gentlemen held a healthy fear of the Dunbar family.
Ridley leaned over the arm of the chair. his whiskey-soaked breath bathing the air around them. Bloodshot eyes stared at Colin from a face already lined with dissipation, as if being in his cups were a fairly regularly occurrence.
“Is it true? What the gossips say about him?”
The whiskey made Ridley bold. He assumed a friendship with Colin where none existed. Another mark against the man for sheer stupidity.
“I do not hold much with what the gossips say, Lord Ridley. You would be wise not to do so.”
The viscount did not care for the rebuke. He sat back in his chair. This time he didn’t bother to hide the examination of Colin’s scar, studying the jagged line long enough that a lesser man would be uncomfortable.
Colin didn’t give a damn.
“How did you manage to find favor with the Dowager Marchioness? I confess, it has been difficult to earn her regard.”
Colin shrugged. “I’ve known Lady Cambourne half my life. I am honored that she holds me in affection.”
“She is very highly thought of inmostcircles.” Ridley snapped his fingers above his head and a waiting servant rushed to refill his glass. “As highly thought of as the esteemed Lady Dobson.” Ridley threw back the amber liquid in one swallow, shaking the empty vessel as a plea for more.
Besides being pompous, Ridley didn’t appreciate good whiskey, especially one so fine as Cam kept at Gray Covington. Another reason to dislike theass, as Colin was beginning to think of him.
“Lady Helen is very beautiful, Kilmaire. I’m given to understand that Lord Cottingham is quite insistent that his daughter marry before the end of the Season.”
“Indeed?” Colin saw no reason to enlighten Ridley.
“Lady Cottingham, of course, wishes a title for her daughter, and as there are no dukes available this season, nor a marquess in sight, she set her sights on the next best thing and has determined not to go lower. How fortunate for you.”
Miranda is not the only heiress you considered wedding. How upsetting it must be for you that Lady Cottingham would rather an earl than a viscount.
Just when he thought he couldn’t dislike Ridley more, the man inferred Miranda was a consolation prize for having lost Lady Helen.
“Lady Helen is quite lovely, with a curiosity about the world around us which never ceases to fascinate me. Charming, and so sophisticated, is she not? I believe she possesses a rare wit. Lady Helen would make any man a wonderful wife.”
Ridley was joking. He had to be. Lady Helen was one of the most boring individuals Colin had ever met.
“Her understanding of birds and their habits speaks well of her intellect. It is good for a woman to have interests outside of her husband and family. Itisunfortunate that her father’s humble beginnings reflect on her in some degree, but her beauty and substantial fortune still make Lady Helen a prize for any man.”
