Page 13 of Wicked with Him

Roman drew back, astonished by the accusation. “When?”

“At the ball the other night.”

Roman did roll his eyes then. “That was weeks ago.”

Stratford sat up, tucking a pillow behind his back and scowling. “Haven’t seen much of you alone since that night to berate you for your abandonment.”

“You’ve been busy too,” Roman complained. “I heard you’ve been spending time with the family.”

“Not by choice.”

Roman spread his hands. “I had no choice that night either. Fairbridge wouldn’t stop to let me out of the carriage.”

“Sounds just like him,” Stratford grumbled. “I suppose you’re forgiven. But you weren’t left to fight for space to stand up in like I was. I’ve a right to be cross.”

“I’m sorry. It must have been terrible for you rubbing shoulders with the ton all alone,” Roman consoled, trying not to laugh. “Leaving you behind wasn’t my idea, or even pleasant. Fairbridge booted me out far from home and I had to walk the rest of the way there.”

“Sounds like something my older brother would do to any one of us,” Stratford grinned cheerfully. “Everyone says he was born to be disobliging and surly unless there’s something in it for him.”

Roman pursed his lips. “He had your cousin Amity with him that night.”

Stratford’s eyes widened. “So that’s how she got away from the family.”

Roman was surprised by his not knowing that. “Didn’t Fairbridge tell you about taking Amity with him? I assumed he was to bring her here that night on the duke’s orders.”

Stratford pushed his hair away from his eyes, blinking quickly. “Haven’t seen her here. But I have seen my cousin George, unfortunately. I didn’t think it possible for him to look any sourer when he comes around. These past few weeks have been a trial with him always complaining to the duke about her disappearance, and posing all kinds of ridiculous theories to explain it. I though the duke must have had her locked in an attic at first.”

“Did he?”

“Not that I know.”

“So George assumed Amity was here, too, then?”

“Oh, yes. Of course, when he learned she wasn’t, he cursed her roundly. Desperate to find her now, though. Desperate to prove to Father than he’s in charge still. He means to fetch her back where he can grind her down under his boot. He doesn’t speak very highly about her prospects for making a good marriage anymore.”

Roman stiffened. “What’s that bastard said about her?”

Stratford grimaced. “Obviously nothing I want to repeat, or that she’d want to hear, otherwise she’d have not gone into hiding, would she?”

“Where could he have taken her? Your brother, I mean.”

Stratford shrugged. “I care not. Fairbridge will handle the matter in his own way. Just don’t let my father know what you know. What have you been doing these past weeks, anyway?”

Looking for Amity in the face of every dark-haired woman he passed, but he couldn’t admit that out loud. He shrugged off his unease at her disappearance and his own obsession with finding her again. “A bit of this and a bit of that,” he said evasively.

“I know that look. You’ve a woman on your mind…or is it the last one still?” Stratford shook his head and rolled out of bed. “When are you going to get over the loss?”

“Never,” he vowed immediately. Hadn’t they had this same conversation for the last year? Stratford didn’t know the first thing about loving a woman when all hope was lost.

“I fear for your sanity sometimes, sir,” Stratford complained. “You need someone to turn your head. Even Amity would make a good match for you, despite her ruin. She never revealed her scoundrel’s name, so she keeps her secrets and opinions to herself.”

“She kept her word,” Roman mused—and immediately regretted his praise of Amity’s secrecy. He shouldn’t have known she’d made any such promise to her scoundrel. As far as the world was concerned, they’d never spoken.

Stratford, thankfully, seemed not to have heard and continued to his dressing closet for fresh clothing. He picked out a dark blue coat, fawn breeches, and a fresh cravat. Of course, then Stratford ruined the appearance of restrained elegance by adding a bright green waistcoat that hurt the eyes.

Although he should be above helping Stratford dress, Roman offered to act as valet in the hope of getting him to talk more of Amity. “Another woman is a complication I don’t need right now.”

“So, there is someone on your mind. Thank heavens.” Stratford reached for the green waistcoat but Roman handed him a burgundy one instead. Stratford seemed not to notice the difference in color as he put it on and buttoned himself up. “A brief fling is what you need, just the way I like my affairs, too. Satisfactory and blessedly free of encumberments.”