Page 157 of A Devious Secret

Stephen stepped outside of the townhouse and saw a fancy black coach that was being pulled by two magnificent horses. A liveried footman was holding the door open.

“I believe I shall take you up on your offer,” Stephen said.

Hugh gave him a smug look. “I thought that might be the case.”

Hawthorne spoke up from behind them. “We should hurry if we want to meet our friends on time.”

After they stepped into the posh coach, it merged into traffic and drove the short distance to White’s.

They exited the coach and Stephen followed Hawthorne and Hugh into the club. Once they arrived at the table in the corner, he saw Lord Grenton and Lord Graylocke sitting down with a drink in their hands.

Grenton raised his glass when he saw Stephen. “Wycomb!” he greeted enthusiastically. “You have arrived.”

Stephen lifted his brow. “I see that you have already indulged in the port,” he remarked good-naturedly as he pulled out a chair and sat down.

Grenton chuckled. “This is my first glass,” he replied. “I am just happy that you are falling prey to the parson’s mousetrap.”

“Why is that?”

Leaning towards him, Grenton lowered his voice as he said, “You will have no greater joy than having a loving woman by your side.”

Graylocke interjected, “Grenton may spout a lot of nonsense, but he is right about this. I have never been so happy as I am with Beatrice.”

Hawthorne raised his hand at a passing servant, indicating he wished for a drink. “I think we can all agree that marriage has changed us all for the better.”

The men all murmured their agreement.

Haddington approached the table and pulled out a chair. “Did I miss anything?”

“We are all singing praises about marriage,” Hawthorne replied.

With a bob of his head, Haddington said, “It was the best decision I have ever made, but it took some groveling on my part to convince Evie.” He paused. “But at least I didn’t show up drunk for my own wedding.”

Graylocke let out a sigh. “Are you ever going to let me live that down?” he asked.

“Perhaps, one day,” Haddington said with a smile.

A server placed drinks down onto the table and walked away.

Hugh picked up a glass and raised it in the air. “I would like to make a toast to Stephen,” he said. “Despite our many, many, many—”

Stephen spoke over him. “I get the point.”

Hugh smirked. “Despite our vast differences, I am happy that you are marrying my cousin, Gemma, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

“Thank you,” Stephen said before he tapped Hugh’s glass with his own.

Hugh lowered his glass. “Does anyone else wish to make a toast?”

Haddington pushed back his chair and rose. As he held his glass up, he met Stephen’s gaze and said, “There was a time when just the thought of you would make my blood boil, but now it is more tepid.”

“Is there a point to your gibberish?” Graylocke asked.

Haddington’s lips twitched. “I have come to realize that Stephen is a good man, and I am fortunate to consider him my friend.”

“Did Evie tell you to say that?” Hawthorne joked.

“Perhaps,” Haddington responded as he sat down.