Page 24 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Lord Bayless reached for it, sliding it across the table and opening it. “I haven’t wagered in a good two years. Need to see what’s been going on.”

Bayless and Pierce began thumbing through the book, pointing out items that interested them.

Everett felt Rosewell’s stare and met it. “Are you a betting man, my lord?” he asked.

“I have been known to do so upon occasion. Not in the book. At the tables upstairs. Perhaps you care for a card game, Your Grace.”

“No.”

He finished off his brandy and set the snifter on the table, ready to leave. Then he heard Lady Adalyn’s name coming from one of the viscounts.

“Lady Adalyn is going to find me a bride,” Lord Bayless said. “I have an appointment with her tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock to discuss it.”

“Why, I made one with her for the following afternoon,” Lord Pierce said. “We should go together, Bayless. Let her talk with both of us at the same time. We don’t want to compete for the same girls, you know.”

“I wish Lady Adalyn was interested in a husband,” Lord Bayless said. “For I certainly would be interested in dipping my wick in her.”

The other three chuckled. Everett sat silently.

“We should place a bet on her, Bayless,” Lord Pierce said. “She’s bound to eventually look for a husband. We could make some real money at it.”

“She’s getting a bit long in the tooth for marriage,” the earl said, flicking a piece of lint from his arm.

“I find Lady Adalyn to be quite beautiful,” Everett said.

The earl sat up. “Oh. So you know her?”

“I do,” he confirmed. “One of my closest friends, Lord Middlefield, is wed to Lady Adalyn’s cousin.”

Lord Rosewell nodded. “Yes, Lady Tessa. She made quite an impression on the Marriage Mart last Season. It was too bad that Middlefield swept her off her feet before anyone else had a go at her.”

“Lord and Lady Middlefield are quite happy,” Everett said firmly, daring anyone to challenge his statement.

Lord Rosewell steepled his fingers. “Perhaps this is the year that Lady Adalyn will receive my attentions.”

Bayless barked out a laugh. “Rosewell, she isn’t some lightskirt. That’s the only kind of woman who interests you. Besides, I like her. I hope she does wed this year and produces the expected heir.” He grinned. “Then she would be free to cavort with me.”

Everett frowned. “But weren’t you just mentioning how you wished for Lady Adalyn to find you a bride?”

“I’m the viscount now. Yes, I will do my duty and sire an heir. Once that is done, though?” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “I will return to the life I have always led.”

“You merely want to move from strumpets to widows and see how randy you truly are,” Lord Pierce joked. “How many did you—”

“I have an appointment,” Everett interrupted, rising.

Lord Bayless said, “It was an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Likewise,” Lord Pierce added.

Lord Rosewell said nothing.

“Will you be at the ball which opens the Season?” Lord Pierce asked him.

“I will see you there, Pierce,” Everett said.

He left White’s, nodding at Mr. Orr on his way out, and ordering his driver to return to Lord Middlefield’s townhouse. He had forgotten Tessa had asked him to return in order to help him learn how to dance. She would be worried about him now. Hell, he was worried about him now. The kiss with Lady Adalyn had turned his world upside down and Everett didn’t know if it would ever be righted again.

As he settled against the plush cushions in his carriage, he decided he would see Lord Pierce and Lord Bayless sooner than the opening ball.

Everett planned to stop by and visit Lady Adalyn tomorrow afternoon.

And ask for her to help him find his duchess.

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