Page 2 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

“Ev!” Spence exclaimed, slapping him on the back and then looking into Everett’s eyes. “It really is you, isn’t it?”

Spence hugged him tightly again. It was then Everett saw the woman sitting at the table. She had golden hair and was a true beauty. Spence must have wed without his friend’s knowing.

Spence pulled away and said, “You must meet Tessa.” He turned as Lady Middlefield rose and smiled warmly.

“It is wonderful to meet you, Your Grace,” she said.

He merely looked at her blankly.

“This would be the part where you take my hand and tell me that you, too, are happy to make my acquaintance,” she said teasingly.

Everett shook his head and reached for her hand. Raising it to his lips, he kissed it and lowered it again, releasing it.

“Forgive my ill manners, Lady Middlefield,” he apologized. “I had no idea my old friend had married.”

Spence laughed heartily. “Well, I wrote you and the boys. I suppose that letter did not reach you before you left the Continent. Just like the letter telling me you were now the Duke of Camden somehow went missing.”

Before he could reply, Lady Middlefield said, “Come, Your Grace. Have a seat. Would you care to join us for tea?”

Callender appeared at that moment with a cup and saucer. “I thought His Grace might wish to partake in tea.”

“Thank you, Callender,” the countess said. “That was most thoughtful.”

“Come and sit,” Spence urged and the three sat as Lady Middlefield poured out and asked Everett how he took his tea.

“I haven’t had tea in so long, I will take it any way you give it to me, my lady.”

She smiled at him. “You are back in England, Your Grace. It is time to spoil yourself a little bit,” and she added two lumps of sugar and a generous splash of cream, handing the saucer to him.

Then she added, “I feel as if I know you because Spencer has spoken of you and his other friends often,” she confided.

“You need to tell us everything, Ev,” Spencer said. “What happened to the despicable Mervyn that made you Camden?”

“How long have you been at Stoneridge?” he asked. “And how long have you been wed?”

Spence said, “Tessa and I met before the Season began. I will tell you for me, it was love at first sight.”

Everett contained his surprise. To hear his friend had wed—much less making a love match—shocked him.

His friend continued. “We wed shortly after the Season was underway. In April. Because neither of us is much for town life, we decided to forgo the Season and a honeymoon and come straight to Stoneridge. We have been here since May.”

Spence reached for his wife’s hand and laced his fingers through hers. The gesture was intimate and loving. It told Everett all he needed to know.

He said, “You are happy then.”

“Very,” the couple answered in unison, laughing.

“But tell us about you,” Spence urged. “And Mervyn.”

“Since you have been gone from London, you would not have heard the news,” he began. “My brother was murdered. His throat slashed by a footpad.”

Lady Middlefield shuddered. “What an awful way to die.”

“Mervyn frequented the stews,” he explained. “His solicitor, Mr. Scofield, gave me a little background as to what my brother had been up to in the years I have been gone from England.”

“When did this occur?” Spencer asked. “And was Owen’s brother with yours? I cannot recall his name.”

Everett said, “Mid-May. Mr. Scofield wrote to me but Wellington’s army was on the march and it took until after the Battle at Vitoria for the missive to catch up to me,” he explained. “Once informed of Mervyn’s death, I knew I had to sell out and return home. As for Lawford, Owen’s brother? You’re right. He was with Mervyn that night. They always were inseparable.”

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