Page 7 of West End Earl
Hell and blast. He might not be able to win, even with Puppy half-asleep on his feet. Just as he thought it, Adam scored a point. The tip of his blade tapped Cal’s shoulder as he tried to dance away. When skill couldn’t cut it, a distraction might work in his favor.
“Do you plan to stay all day? If so, I have a situation that could use your talents.” The words came out heavier than he’d like in between breaths. Small consolation that Adam appeared to be working harder for each point today too. He usually bounced through the day with barely restrained enthusiasm. Good to see he didn’t actually have springs for feet and unending energy reserves.
The Puppy took a swipe at Cal’s chest and nearly scored before Cal jerked back and blocked with his blade. “Are you trying to distract me with work?”
Cal flashed him a grin and wiggled his brows. “Is it working?” Teasing opened him to attack. It took only a split second of distraction, but Adam took advantage and scored a final point.
Resting the tip of the foil on the toe of his boot, Adam breathed heavily. “What’s the situation?”
“I need some ears at the docks. TheWilhelminawas due in port last month with a valuable cargo hold. When I ask around, I get the placating ‘don’t worry, milord’ speeches. See if I need to break bad news to worried investors.”
“Wasn’t your father one of those investors?”
“One of the largest, yes. So you see my concern.”
“Sending your errand boy all over Town when he’s only just returned home?” Emma said. Cal turned and spied his sister. Light flooded the narrow space and made her curls shine where she leaned against the wall and bit into an apple. “Good match, though. You’re quick, Mr. Hardwick.”
Adam saluted with his blade and sent her a cheeky wink. “Thank you, Lady Emma, but Cal nearly took that last point. I’m lagging a bit today.”
Cal wrapped his blade in oilcloth and set it in the cupboard with the rest of the fencing gear. Without a word, he held out a hand to Adam for the other foil, then wrapped and stored that sword as well.
A glance at the pair showed Emma eyeing the Puppy’s waistcoat appreciatively. “That fabric is beautiful. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a dandy.”
The clothing in question had been Cal’s a month ago, although Adam probably wouldn’t say so, and neither would Cal.
Adam brushed a hand over the brightly colored brocade waistcoat, his cheeks a vivid pink to match the fabric. “It’s my one extravagance. Everything else I wear is black, white, or brown. I think it’s far enough away from my head that I can wear whatever I want, without worrying it clashes with my hair.”
Emma cocked her head, then nodded. “I imagine that would be a problem. You’re lucky you don’t have to worry about wearing color beyond a waistcoat. Fifty years ago, it would have been a different story.”
The Puppy’s giggle sounded young and so different from the usual tone he used with the other men that Cal glanced over. “Can you imagine the horror of me in a rose silk jacket?” The pair laughed like longtime companions.
If Emma would fall for Adam, maybe Cal could sleep at night, content knowing his sister was safe from her unfortunate propensity to flirt with men as dissolute as their father.
“Calvin?” Her sweet tone jarred him from wishful thinking.
“What do you want, brat?”
“Lord Roxbury is taking me for a drive in a half hour. When would you like me home?”
Roxbury. The man’s attention seemed fixed on Emma. Cal gave her a hard stare. “I notice you aren’t asking my permission to go for a drive with Roxbury. You know how I feel about him.”
“Oh, please, Cal,” she said in a wheedling tone. “He’s ever so handsome and he really likes me.”
“They all like you, Emma. You have a pretty face and a healthy dowry.” Cal looked to the ceiling as if the patron saint of annoying siblings would sprinkle more patience from heaven on him. Lord knew he needed it.
“But he might make me an offer. He’s hinted as much, and I would like to know him better before then. Catching a husband is the whole reason I’m in London, is it not?”
“You make it sound like it’s a pheasant hunt and you’re beating him out of the reeds,” Cal said. Emma would do what she wanted no matter what. The more he kicked and screamed about damned Roxbury, the more appealing she’d find the reprobate. The way through this situation was to come at her from the side, not head-on, otherwise she would raise hell. He’d need to have a chat with Roxbury himself. “Be home in an hour. Stick to the public parks. If he arrives in a closed carriage, I’ll box his ears, and everything I’ve agreed to will be null and void. Am I clear?” Thank God she’d have her maid with her.
Emma bounced on her toes, clapping her hands like she used to when she was younger and not a complete pain in the backside. “You’re the best brother ever!” After a kiss on his cheek, she skipped out of the room.
The enthusiasm would be endearing if it wasn’t for someone like Roxbury. Cal intercepted a glance from Adam. “Don’t look at me like that. Give her time. She’ll annoy the spine out of you too.”
“Think she’ll be all right?” Adam asked.
“I hope so. If he lays a finger on her, I’ll chop off his stones and shove them down his throat.” Still, the worry niggled his brain. A conversation with the scoundrel needed to happen soon. “I could use some coffee, and you look like you’re ready to drop from exhaustion. Let’s go downstairs. You can tell me about your trip.”
Their footsteps thundered on the stairs to the first floor. Without discussion, Cal headed to the library and Adam followed, their strides falling into synchronization. It was good to have him home. During the last couple of weeks, he’d turned around to talk to his friend countless times, only to find Adam gone. Having him back in the house, resuming their usual schedule of fencing and sharing a meal while discussing work and life, soothed the remaining tension from the conversation with Emma.
