Page 20 of Love Unraveled
“Shall I send my carriage?”
“No need,” Bentley piped from where he was sprawled in the chair, brandy dangling from one hand. “He can come with me. I assume I am to join you.”
If the man was offended by the lack of a direct invitation, he didn’t show it. He stretched lazily, bringing his glass to his lips and eyeing Walford over its rim.
“Could I prevent you if I wanted to?” Walford asked, chuckling.
“Of course not, but I did want to confirm. I do hate it when the staff have to scramble to set an extra plate, or when I get stuck beside Lady Walford’s aunt.” Bentley sat up straighter. “Is she going to be there?”
Walford shrugged. “I am merely an errand boy. I didn’t study the guest list. In or out?”
“Most definitely in,” Bentley said, slumping back in the chair. “I suppose I will just have to take my chances.”
“I will be sure to let Catherine know how excited you are to have invited yourself over.” Walford grinned and tipped his hat before exiting the room.
Gaston found the interplay between the two men fascinating. They were so unalike, yet he sensed a genuine fondness between them.
“Well done, Durand. If I might say so, you were impressively quick ingratiating your way into the fold.”
From another man, Gaston would have considered it an insult, but Bentley’s demeanor remained relaxed and playful. He doubted the man had a serious thought in his head.
“It is due to my old acquaintance with Countess Tessaro. A simple matter of courtesy as opposed to being invitedinto the fold, as you say.”
Bentley waved toward the chair opposite him. “Sit down, Durand, unless you have somewhere more pressing to be?”
“Not at all.”
“Excellent.” Bentley thrust his chin toward the decanter. “Pour yourself a drink and unwind. You seem a little tense.”
Gaston did as directed while contemplating what about him appeared tense. He’d no patience for fools, but he knew this particular fool provided the perfect opportunity to do exactly what he was accusing Gaston of doing. Ingratiating himself. He knew from watching Sophie these last few months that she spent a lot of time with the Walfords and the Thornwoods. They were her Achilles heel, and he’d use them if he needed to, to get closer to her.
“So where did you say you met our infamous countess?” Bentley swirled the contents of his glass, appearing casual in his inquiry, but Gaston assumed Bentley was as curious as the others.
“Venise,” he said smoothly, mimicking what Sophie had told the others.
Bentley waited for more, but Gaston said nothing further. “Venise,” Bentley finally repeated with a decent French accent. “Oh, do tell me about it. The meeting, not Venice. Although, I’ve always been keen to visit it. You know, canals and gondolas and Italian passion and all that. Maybe someday, if this bloody war ever ends.”
Gaston struggled to squash irritation. The man had no idea exactly how bloody war was, nor about the price people paid. Their costs were far greater than missing one’s grand tour, or whatever it was he was lamenting. Gaston took a large swallow of brandy and set the glass aside. He was no longer in the mood to play along with Bentley.
“I will leave the story of our meeting to the countess,” he said and stood. “If I recall correctly, she does enjoy being the center of a tale.”
“Youdoknow her,” Bentley said on a laugh.
“I have some errands to run. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
They said goodbyes, and Gaston closed the door behind him, taking the stairs at the end of the hall to his suite of rooms. If needed, he would query Bentley about Sophie some other day. He’d secured his invitation. For the moment, it was all he needed.
Chapter Fourteen
I am fearful of you and afraid of my memory
That has kept your voice and calls to me often.
—Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, “Parted”
Sophia had debatedsending a note to Gaston and demanding to see him but changed her mind. She didn’t want him to know he’d managed to rattle her composure. She decided she would corner him at the Walfords’ and send him on his way. Somehow.
Catherine had mentioned she’d included the Randalls tonight. They were a lovely couple, but more importantly, Randall tended to be a font of knowledge. His merchant ships covered large swaths of territory, and he came across various bits of information that sometimes proved helpful to the Home Office. Sophia assumed he would be an even greater source now that he was officially entering privateering. An old friend of the Thornwoods, and now a business partner with both Thornwood and Walford, he tended to speak freely at smaller gatherings. Although, Gaston’s presence might impede such conversations. Another reason to get rid of him as soon as possible.
