Page 30 of When the Viscount Seduces
Miss Price had been unwavering in her support, her calm demeanor keeping him from giving up. Until their time had expired. They planned to meet again the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, he was to continue his writing exercises. He also planned to use the technique she’d employed with underlining certain words and rewriting others, breaking them down into pieces.
He’d already rewritten half the speech doing that. It had taken him all evening. He’d decided he’d earned a tankard of ale at the Siren’s Call and a respite with friends. Only, they weren’t here, and as it happened, Lazarus was perfectly content to be alone.
A pair of gentlemen came from one of the gaming rooms, and Lazarus saw that it was Shefford and Bedingfield, another fellow who sometimes joined them. Scanning the room as Bedingfield was speaking, Shefford laughed just before his gaze settled on Lazarus.
Shefford said something to Bedingfield, who continued toward the door. Pivoting, Shefford approached Lazarus’s table. “Why are you skulking in the corner by yourself?”
Lazarus arched a brow at him, his hands cupping his tankard. “Skulking? I’m not Droxford. I wanted an ale.”
“Well, finish up and come with us to the Rogue’s Den. Bedingfield is hailing a hack.”
Cramming himself into a hackney coach and spending the evening in debauchery did not appeal to Lazarus. His brain was overtired from all the work he’d done today, and he just wanted to…do nothing.
“Thank you for the invitation, but I’ll pass this evening.”
Shefford slid into the chair opposite him. “What’s the matter? You do seem like Droxford—before he wed, anyway. You look almost, dare I say it, morose.” He grimaced as if he’d just delivered terrible news.
“Nothing is the matter. I’ve had a long day, and I’m tired. We rode in the park quite early, or don’t you recall?”
“I do, just as I recall the wonderful nap I took after bathing.” Shefford grinned. “You should have slept.”
“Yes, well, I had other things to do.” Lazarus was surprisingly annoyed by Shefford’s needling. Perhaps he was morose after all. Though, why should he be?
“Come to the Rogue’s Den,” Shefford cajoled. “You’ll feel much better. I guarantee you will sleep wonderfully.”
Lazarus did consider it, but he just wasn’t interested in a night of bed sport. He blamed his mental fatigue. “I appreciate your concern, but I think I’ll go home when I finish my ale. You and Bedingfield have a grand time.”
Shefford exhaled and stood. “Of course we will. Join us if you change your mind.”
He turned and left the club, and Lazarus lifted his tankard for a drink.
Jo appeared at his table, a dark brow arched in question. She took the chair next to him without asking. “I assume you justdeclined Shefford’s invitation to join them wherever they are going. And am I right in thinking it’s the Rogue’s Den?”
Lazarus fixed her with a wry stare. “Do you knoweverythingthat happens here?”
She laughed. “Nearly. My mother likes it that way. Why didn’t you go with them? I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you pass up an evening of hedonism.”
Was everyone going to stick their nose into his business? “I just didn’t feel like going.”
Her long, dark lashes fluttered as she narrowed her eyes and studied him. “Is it a woman who’s twisted you up?”
“I am not ‘twisted up.’ I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”
She briefly tapped her fingers on the table. “You did not deny the existence of a woman. You know, it would serve you right to be having romantic difficulties. You’ve broken a few hearts, at least. Perhaps it’s your turn to experience that disappointment.”
Lazarus flinched inwardly. “I hate that I’ve done that. It was never my intent.”
“You can’t help it if you’re impossibly charming and so attractive it makes one’s teeth ache as if they’ve eaten too many sweets.” She gave him a sardonic smile, but there was genuine warmth behind it. Jo was a good friend and an excellent listener.
“Should I change the way I dress? Stop bathing? Let my hair grow into an unpleasant mess?”
“That would certainly help. May I also suggest you grunt instead of smile and try being surly instead of gallant. I’m sure your friend Droxford would give you lessons, though I hear he’s almost genial now.”
“He’s completely enthralled with my cousin. It’s quite nice, actually.”
Jo sucked in a breath, her eyes rounding. “Are you in favor of love now?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ve never beenagainstit. I just haven’t found it myself, nor do I see it as necessary.” His parents had not shared a great love affair, but they’d been perfectly content with one another.
