Say You Love Me (21 page)

“You know you shouldn’t have started in on him. Just because Reggie ain’t here at the moment don’t mean she won’t hear about it.”

“You’re all heart,
uncle
,” Nicholas mumbled.

Anthony raised his brandy in a silent toast and grinned. “Ain’t I though.”

If Nicholas was wishing he were somewhere else just then, Derek was wishing he
had
gone and broken a limb or something so he wouldn’t be there either. It had been insane to
think he could have gotten through the evening without something giving his relationship with Kelsey away.

But as long as Percy had brought it up, he said to James, “I was meaning to talk to you about this, Uncle James. Came by your house twice this week to discuss it, but I missed you each time.”

“Yes, George told me. I was going to call on you tomorrow myself, but as long as we’re here…”

“Yes, well, it’s not exactly a pleasant subject for the digestion; it’s rather disgusting, actually—”

“Let me worry about my digestion, lad,” James said with a smile.

Derek nodded, continuing, “We stumbled upon this auction, you see, and I had no intention of getting involved, certainly didn’t want another mistress—that was what the girl was being sold as—but then I saw who was doing the bidding.” And he went on to tell them everything he knew about David Ashford, ending with, “So you see, I couldn’t let him have Kelsey, knowing what I do about him.”

“’Course you couldn’t,” Anthony agreed.

James’s expression had definitely hardened. “And the reason you were coming to me with this tale?”

Derek sighed. “I find it intolerable that this lord is out there going about his depravities unhindered. I was hoping you might know some way to deal with the man.”

“Oh, yes,” James said with a dark, ominous smile. “I can think of a few ways.”

“Short of killing him, that is,” Derek felt it prudent to add.

James said nothing for nearly ten seconds, then, “If you insist.”

28

The women had gone upstairs to spend a bit more
time with the children. Judith had tuckered out and was sleeping peacefully in a cradle in the corner, but Jacqueline was swinging her arms energetically on her mother’s lap, and little Thomas was toddling about the room among the women, proudly showing off one of his prized toys to each of them.

The Malory women had made Kelsey feel so comfortable that she actually forgot for a while what she had become and was able to just enjoy their company. And she adored children herself, just as they seemed to. She’d always looked forward to the day she’d have some of her own, though that didn’t seem quite possible now, which was, sadly, something else that she had given up.

Their conversation was quite amusing, too, and it tended to relate to either their children or their husbands, or both, as it did when Reggie remarked with a grin, “I heard Uncle Tony had Judith and Jack married before either of them were even born.”

“Well, I didn’t have a daughter after Roslynn did just to spite him, I do assure you,” George replied, then added with a conspiratorial smile, “Although, that’s an interesting idea. I might try it next time, especially since I’m sure James would love it.”

“Spiting my Tony?” Roslynn piped in. “Oh, I don’t doubt James Malory would jump on any chance to do that.”

“But aren’t they brothers?” Kelsey asked, confused.

“Oh, yes, m’dear, and all four of those brothers just love to bicker and argue and get digs in on each other, especially Tony and James,” Roslynn said. “The elder two are great arguers, but those younger two, they are forever cutting each other up—verbally, that is—and delighting in every bit of it. Och, you’d think they are the worst of enemies, but they’re really quite close.”

“And they band together against anyone else, especially my Nicholas,” Reggie added with a sigh. “I do hope the blood isn’t too difficult to clean up from the dining room, now that we’ve left them alone together.”

Kelsey blinked, but both Georgina and Roslynn laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Reggie, not with Derek there,” Roslynn said. “He tends to have a tempering influence on both James and Tony.”

“I’ve noticed that as well,” Georgina remarked. “Perhaps because they see a bit of Jason in him, and they do tend to be on their better behavior when Jason is around—that is,
unless it’s him they’re arguing with.”

“They seemed to get along fine earlier,” Kelsey said, confused yet again. “Am I to understand they don’t actually like your husband, Reggie?”

“’Course they do,” all three women said at almost the same moment.

Reggie chuckled, explaining, “Well, you see, Uncle James and Nicholas used to be enemies of a sort, at least they were out for each other’s hides—quite seriously. But then I met Nicholas and ended up marrying him, and that put an end to their private feud. Uncle James couldn’t very well continue to seek revenge against his nephew by marriage. We are a very close family, after all. As for Uncle Tony, well, he was rather upset with Nicholas for compromising me. He was all for shooting him rather than giving him to me for a husband. Didn’t think he was good enough for me, either, rake that Nicholas was at the time.”

“As if Anthony wasn’t one himself,” Roslynn said in amusement.

“And James the worst of the lot,” Georgina added. “But that’s so typical of men. What was good for them
wasn’t
good enough for their favorite niece.”

“So now, it’s just a—well, a friendly feud, you could call it,” Reggie said. “Only my uncles
always
best my poor Nicholas in their verbal skirmishes.”

“Cheer up, Reggie,” Roslynn remarked. “You’re forgetting they now have Warren to
rake over the coals. I’m sure he’ll take some of the heat off Nick.”

“Who’s Warren?” Kelsey asked.

“My brother,” Georgina replied. “He just married into the Malory clan last week. But there was a time when he tried to have James hanged, and James nearly killed him with his bare hands. But that’s another story. Suffice it to say, they were serious enemies, too. Having Warren as a brother-in-law didn’t stop James from wanting to clobber him. But now that Warren has joined the family yet again, this time as a nephew by marriage, they’ve called a truce, though it still doesn’t exclude very pointed barbs.”

“Amy has changed Warren, though,” Reggie pointed out. “He used to have the most horrible temper, but now he’s much too happy these days to take heed of their baiting. Or haven’t you noticed that when they start in on him, he just smiles and ignores them now?”

Georgina laughed. “I noticed. It drives James crazy when Warren does that.”

“I wouldn’t doubt Warren knows it.”

“Oh, he does.” Georgina grinned.

Kelsey was beginning to figure it out—somewhat. She’d asked earlier why James called his daughter Jack. The unanimous answer had been “Because he knew his brother-in-laws wouldn’t like it.” Which, she supposed, said a lot about James Malory right there.

“Which reminds me,” Reggie said, turning to Kelsey, “if you haven’t set your cap for De
rek yet, one of George’s brothers would be an excellent catch. She’s got five, you know, and the other four aren’t married.”

“Watch out, Kelsey,” Roslynn warned with a laugh. “Reggie’s an irrepressible matchmaker.”

“So you’re interested in our Derek?” Georgina asked Kelsey. “I rather thought so, with the way you two were looking at each other tonight.”

Kelsey was blushing furiously by then. She knew she shouldn’t have gone there, even though Derek had said there was no help for it, with the way Reggie had cornered them today at the races. These were such nice women, so friendly, but they would be horrified if they knew she was Derek’s mistress. And how was she supposed to deal with a subject like this?

They actually thought she was looking for a husband, and why wouldn’t they think so? She was, after all, at the age when most young women did look for husbands. Yet she had burned her bridges, would never be marrying. But Percy’s cousin would be expected to. Percy’s cousin was pure, and sweet, and still a virgin, or so they thought.

“Derek is very nice,” Kelsey began uneasily, not sure how to get out of this. “But—”

“And very handsome,” Roslynn cut in.

“And titled, if that matters,” Georgina added, cringing.

Roslynn chuckled. “You’ll have to excuse my American sister-in-law, Kelsey. She doesn’t put much stock in titles, was appalled
when she found out one came part and parcel with James when she married him.”

“Titles are fine if you happen to like them. I just don’t,” Georgina clarified.

“Derek
is
a fine catch,” Reggie continued. “But I don’t think he’s quite ready to settle down yet. And she hasn’t even met your brothers yet, Aunt George. Drew is an absolute charmer, and—”

“And what makes you think my brothers are ready to settle down?” Georgina asked Reggie with a grin.

Reggie chuckled. “Actually, I don’t think
any
man is quite ready, they just need a little nudge in the right direction. In my Nicholas’s case, he had the entire Malory clan breathing down his neck, and Uncle Tony threatening to geld him, if he didn’t agree to marry me.”

“To be expected, after he compromised you, m’dear,” Roslynn said.

Reggie grinned. “But he didn’t. Everyone only thought he did.”

“Same thing, as you well know. The truth doesn’t amount to much if a scandal is involved. The issue becomes what everyone else assumes, more’s the pity.”

“Well, I’m certainly not complaining,” Reggie replied. “It
was
the only way I was going to get him, after all. And he’s not complaining, either, for having been forced to the altar, any more than James ever did.”

“Oh, James complained.” Georgina laughed. “James wouldn’t be James if he didn’t disagree on
every
issue.”

“But I’m not looking for a husband—yet,” Kelsey said, hoping that would end the subject. “I only came to London for a new wardrobe, as Percy told you, not to get married,” she added, hating having to further the lie, but there was no help for it. “I will be going home in a few days.”

“Which is
such
a shame,” Reggie replied. “I’ll have to talk to Percy about extending your stay. Why, you haven’t even been to a ball yet. I’ll even stay in town longer myself and accompany you. It will be such fun, Kelsey, so do think about it.”

Think about it? The only thing Kelsey was thinking just then was why couldn’t the lie be the truth? What Reggie was suggesting did sound like fun. And Kelsey had never been to a formal ball, had always figured she would one day, but now…now she had to force herself to remember what she was and that such things were no longer possible.

29

Jason couldn’t remember ever having to do anything as
hard as telling his family that he and Frances were divorcing. The fact that he would be creating a scandal himself, deliberately, when he had so often lectured them on keeping the family name out of the gossip mills…well, he was sure he wouldn’t be living this down any time soon, especially where James and Tony were concerned.

They might be, amazing as the thought was, settled down in marriage now and behaving themselves, but those two had always been scoundrels. And he had never stinted on letting them feel his displeasure. He didn’t doubt for a minute that they would relish having the tables turned.

He hadn’t asked the entire family to show up for this meeting. He had only requested his brothers to be present—and Derek. They could see to telling their wives and children later. Edward would possibly understand. James and Tony would likely be highly amused. It was Derek he was worried about, and how he
would take the news. Frances was the only mother Derek had ever known, after all.

He should have told Derek first, and in private. It was cowardly of him to choose to do it this way instead. But he was hoping for some little support, at least from Edward. And he was hoping that, with the others present, Derek wouldn’t question him too deeply as to the whys.

Everyone had arrived except James. Anthony had questioned him already, twice, about why they were there, but he’d given no hint, had said as soon as all were present, he’d get to it.

He stood by the mantel, waiting. Edward and Anthony had settled into a friendly argument about some mining investment. Edward would win, of course. Where investing was concerned, he was a genius. Derek was looking a bit uncomfortable, almost guilty, but the lad hadn’t been involved in anything untoward that Jason knew about. Though perhaps he ought to visit a few friends before he returned to Haverston, just to keep abreast of the current gossip.

James finally appeared in the doorway to the parlor where they were gathered. Anthony complained immediately, “You’re late, brother.”

“I am?”

“He wouldn’t fess up to what this is about till you got here, so yes, you’re bloody well late.”

James snorted. “Put a lid on it, puppy, I
ain’t late. You, obviously, arrived too early.”

“Redundant, now that we’re all here,” Edward pointed out placidly.

“Have a seat, James,” Jason suggested.

James’s brow rose. “This calls for sitting down? That bad, is it?”

“Bloody hell, I’m on tenterhooks here, James, so sit!” Anthony said.

Jason sighed inwardly. There was no easy way to work up to a subject like this, so as soon as James joined Anthony on one of the couches, he said, “I’ve asked you here today because I wanted you to be the first to know, before it starts making the rounds, that Frances and I are divorcing.”

He said no more, waited for the barrage of questions, but received only silence and blank stares. He shouldn’t have been surprised. He’d had time to digest the thought, unpalatable as it was, but they hadn’t.

Anthony finally asked, “You ain’t pulling our leg here, Jason?”

“No.”

“You’re positive?”

“Have you ever known me to jest about something this serious?” Jason replied.

“Just making sure,” Anthony said before he burst out laughing.