Page 3 of A Devious Secret

“And I will,” Stephen said, “when she is around.”

Grenton smirked. “Is it so awful to be Hugh’s friend?”

“You seem to forget that Hugh used to line the inside of my trousers with honey,” Stephen replied.

Hugh shrugged nonchalantly. “That was only because you would pour jam into the pockets of my jackets.”

“I do believe that was in retaliation for you dumping a bucket of water onto my feather mattress,” Stephen remarked. “It always stunk after that.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have put worms in my bed,” Hugh said.

Stephen opened his mouth, but Hawthorne spoke first. “That was in the past, and you two need to accept that you will now be in each other’s lives.”

Grenton shifted in his seat towards Hugh and said, “I had forgotten that he put worms in your bed.”

“They were no regular worms either. They were big and fat.” Hugh shuddered. “It was dark when I pulled back my sheets and I didn’t notice them until I crawled into bed.”

Stephen tossed back his drink before saying, “I will admit that was rather a cruel trick to play on you.”

“It was no less than what I deserved,” Hugh replied. “Our antics did get out of hand, and I do question the headmaster making us sleep in the same room.”

“That was some faulty logic on his part,” Stephen said. “It didn’t bring us together. Frankly, it only made us hate each other even more.”

“That it did,” Hugh agreed.

Stephen pushed his empty glass away from him. “I should be going. I have a meeting with my solicitor.”

Hawthorne met his gaze and shared, “I would be remiss if I did not inform you that my cousin, Lady Hawkinge, will be joining us for dinner this evening.”

“Duly noted,” Stephen said.

“Her husband died over a year and a half ago and my mother invited her for the remainder of the Season now that her mourning period is over,” Hugh shared.

“I do not know why this is any of my concern,” Stephen said. “With any luck, she will dismiss me as unimportant and will avoid me altogether.”

Hawthorne grew solemn. “My cousin has had a rough go of it, and she will need our support.”

Rising, Stephen remarked, “I have no intention of being mean to the woman, if that is what you are implying. I am, after all, a gentleman.”

“What my brother is trying to say,” Hugh started, “is for you to change everything about yourself before dinner. You are far too boorish and might frighten my cousin with the resting scowl on your face.”

“I do not scowl,” Stephen said.

Grenton gave him a knowing look. “You are a scowler, but there is no shame in that. I was the same way before I met Georgie,” he said. “It will all change when you meet the right woman.”

Stephen blanched. “I have no desire to get married at this time.”

“I do believe we all said something similar, and we all fell prey to the parson’s mousetrap,” Grenton said.

“I am in earnest,” Stephen stated. “My dog is the only companion that I need.”

Hawthorne bobbed his head. “That is good because I do not want you to become enamored with Gemma, giving me a reason to challenge you to a duel.”

Stephen pushed back in his chair and took a step back. “Trust me, you do not want to challenge me to a duel, Hawthorne. I am an excellent marksman.”

“As am I,” Hawthorne asserted.

“Regardless, I can assure you that I will stay away from your cousin,” Stephen said. “I would rather chew glass than attempt to court another woman.” He tipped his hat at them. “Good day, gentlemen."