Page 59 of Playing the Scoundrel

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“Back again, Henry?”

Leaning his head back, Henry opened one eye to see his two friends, James and Thomas approaching his seat.

“Good day, gentlemen.” Henry lifted his glass. “What brings you in today?”

“Don’t spin this on us.” James folded his arms across his chest. “I called at your apartment and your butler said you hadn’t returned home since yesterday. I wasn’t sure if that meant we needed to be worried.”

“Are you off chasing women of all varieties again?” Thomas asked, sitting on the arm of Henry’s chair. “What happened to the chit who had caught your attention?”

Henry let out a sigh. “She still has it, but this has nothing to do with her.”

“Then what could possibly keep you from home for two whole days?”

Before answering, Henry looked around the room. This was a gentleman’s club, but something about the room reminded him of his father. The dusty bookshelves, the permanent scent of pipe smoke, the dark woods and leathers… there was so much to consider about his father’s death, but he couldn’t remain in the house, not while the doctor and the solicitor were trying to arrange everything for the funeral and beyond. And yet, even in this room, he still couldn’t escape the reminders of his father.

“My father has died.”

James and Thomas both snapped to attention.

“I’m so sorry, old friend.” Thomas pressed a hand to Henry’s shoulder.

“Why the devil didn’t you say anything?” James asked, falling into a chair beside him.

“Contrary to popular belief, I do prefer to mourn in private.” Henry lifted his glass in salute. “You are the busy gentlemen here, not I. One newlywed and one, well, undoubtedly soon to be engaged.” Henry shook his head. “But in all honesty, I’m not mourning. I’ve just had a good deal on my mind. You know my relationship with the man was less than ideal, but I was able to say some final words before he passed.”

They didn’t have any immediate response, for which Henry was grateful, allowing him to drink in silence.

“What will you do now?” Thomas asked quietly.

“I’m not sure. I am my father’s sole heir, so once the will is read and the funeral is over, I’ll have some decisions to make about his townhouse here and his estate in the country.”

“And what of the lady?” James asked.

“The lady…” Henry sighed. Emma was still such an enigma to him. It was impossible to know where he stood with her, but he’d like to think it was in the right direction. “Ours is still a rather tumultuous relationship.”

“More so than any of your other dalliances?” Thomas chuckled.

“Actually, yes. Miss Follett had convinced me she would welcome my suit, only to reject me in a rather cruel manner,” Henry explained, swirling the drink in his glass. “I had fancied myself in love with her, so in the midst of my anger and heartbreak, I concocted a plan of my own. Play the repentant rake, make her fall in love with me, and see her ruined.”

Thomas’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“And how’s that going?” James’s eyes were full of careful scrutiny.

“In one aspect, rather well. I think I may have won her over completely, and if I play my cards right, I can see her agreeing to marry me.”

“In the other aspect?” Thomas asked hesitantly.

Henry rubbed his fingers over his eyes. “I don’t exactly want to see her ruined anymore.”

Thomas let out a good-hearted laugh, slapping him on the shoulder again. “Would you look at that? The rake has been reformed after all. Who knows? The three of us might find ourselves married after all.”

“Like I said, I’m not making any decisions right away. You go ahead and finalize your plans with Lady Finley, and I’ll take my time figuring things out with Miss Follett.”

“I wish you the best, my friend.” James stood to shake Henry’s hand. “And I’m sorry to hear about your father. I know he was a hard man, but I think with his passing, this might be your greatest opportunity to become the man he wanted you to be.”

Henry accepted his hand and nodded. James always was the one for more somber advice, but Henry was grateful for it. Now that he had a new perspective on life, he was willing to work for it.

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