Page 1

CHAPTER 1

The doors flew open, barely slamming into the walls, and in strode Gabriel Devereux, the Duke of Ravenshire.

Gabriel stopped in the doorway and stared at Nathaniel Ashworth, the Viscount Blackridge. If Nathaniel made anything of the grand entrance, he didn’t show it.

“Lord Lescott,” Gabriel stated.

Nathaniel nodded and let out a sharp breath from his nostrils. “Yes, Lord Lescott. He just bought another plot of land that comes with voting rights. He will surely sell it soon to someone loyal to him, and the upcoming election will be tipped ever so slightly in whichever direction he dictates.”

Gabriel finally entered the room, going straight to the drink cart and pouring himself a measure of brandy.

“I’ve had my eye on him for some time,” Gabriel said. “The tipping point is close. I’ve allowed him to purchase enough land that his finances are becoming stretched thin, and before he buys enough to have significant influence in Parliament, I shall stick my foot in the door.” Gabriel downed half of his glass.

“Yes.” Nathaniel quickly shook his head. “No, that’s not…Of course, he must be dealt with, but that’s not why I called you here tonight.”

“Then speak your purpose,” Gabriel suggested.

“The war edges closer every month.” Nathaniel had a glass in hand, and he walked slowly toward the roaring fireplace. “The influence of France on the continent is far more pressing than the influence of Lescott in Parliament. They need someone to go over there and smooth things over, and…”

Nathaniel turned to face the duke and made a show of straightening his cravat and raising one eyebrow.

Gabriel held his friend’s gaze, unaffected by the small pantomime. He waited for Nathaniel to continue, hoping it would save further charade.

“And of course,” Nathaniel announced before clearing his throat loudly, “they chose a man who could talk a fox and a hen out of fighting with each other.”

“They chose a man whose experience amounts to conversing with animals?” Gabriel asked dryly. “What reasoning did you give to the fox to stop him from adhering to his natural instincts?”

Nathaniel snorted. “There are times when I’m unsure whether you live only to annoy me, or you fail to understand the concept of a joke.”

“Ah, that was a joke?” Gabriel didn’t smile as he finished the brandy in his glass.

“Not anymore, I guess,” Nathaniel complained. “And a good thing they are sending me over there and not you, old chap. You might succeed in intimidating them, but that is not the answer to lasting peace. For that, you need a more subtle touch, and there is none whose touch is more subtle than mine.”

Gabriel raised both eyebrows as he looked at his friend. “I don’t know whether you are trying to convince me or seduce me.”

“Believe me, you would know if I were seducing you.” Nathaniel winked. “But we are getting off topic again,” he added quickly. “You must know the reason for my departure from London, but it is not that which I meant to talk with you about. It is my sister, Eleanor, whom you know.”

Gabriel didn’t like where this was heading. Lady Eleanor Ashworth had returned to England two years ago from Paris, attending finishing school there, and this was to be her first London Season.

“I know of your sister, yes,” Gabriel replied, slowly.

“The war overseas is my second-greatest concern right now,” Nathaniel explained. “My greatest concern is my sister. We already delayed her debut, so this will be her first Season. I shall not be here, of course, and Mother is wrapped up in her own little world. Eleanor needs a husband. I do not wish for her to be alone.”

“And I do wish to be alone.” Gabriel ground his teeth at the thought. “I do not plan on taking a wife.”

“And it is not my suggestion for you to do so,” Nathaniel scoffed. “I know far better than to suggest that. Perhaps when I have finished negotiating peace between England and France, I will have the skills to deal with the two of you without any friction. No, I was hoping you might be here for Eleanor while she navigates new territory.”

“You are not asking me to marry your sister, but you wish for me to babysit her?” Gabriel went straight back to the drink cart to refill his glass with a double measure. “Lord Lescott is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Parliament, and you shall not be here for the foreseeable future, but you wish for me to drop all of that and ensure that no one takes advantage of your sister?”

“Eleanor is more than capable of taking care of herself.” Nathaniel bobbed his head from side to side. “For the most part. She is not as fearless as she likes to think she is.”

“And your mother is gone for the Season?” Gabriel asked, taking a sip of brandy. He told himself not to drink too much, or he might reach a stage of tipsiness where he would agree to just about anything because he could do anything when he put his mind to it.

“She is not gone, exactly.” Nathaniel reached out a hand toward the flames in the hearth. “She will be here for the Season, but she has her own ideas about what that involves, and her plans revolve more around socializing than supervising.”

“And the household?” Gabriel asked. “You are not lacking in that department, are you?”

The reflection of the flames flickered warmly in Nathaniel’s eyes. “We have a full staff, and they are reliable in most cases, but they cannot be expected to take time from their regular duties to chaperone her.”