Page 51 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
The Earl of Stourton approached. ‘Miss Forth,’ he said to Alethea, with a bow. ‘May I have the honour of this dance?’
Alethea smiled. ‘Of course.’
He had sent her a posy of flowers after Sarah’s ball.
He offered his arm. Alethea lay her fingers upon it and they walked away.
‘Susan.’
She turned to face John.
He smiled. She did not know him even a quarter as well as his half-brothers Harry or Rob.
She curtsied, deeply.
He bowed slightly. ‘How are you?’
‘Well, thank you.’
‘How are you enjoying the London season?’
‘It is a little hectic.’
He smiled.
‘—I have no idea where my son is…’ Uncle Robert’s voice carried through the family group. He was talking to the other men.
‘Peter the same,’ Lord Sparks responded. ‘So they must be together, wherever they are.’
John looked away from Susan. ‘Why do you not know where they have gone?’
Uncle Robert rolled his eyes in a mocking manner. ‘Must I say it again? Because that is my son, John. Have we not covered this ground a hundred times?’
Susan’s heart pounded once more. She felt as though she should not listen to them discussing Henry, yet where else was she to go?
A note of humour escaped John’s throat before he answered. ‘We have, but on this occasion I happen to know where he is. I would have?—’
‘Where?’
‘Where?’
Uncle Robert and Lord Sparks exclaimed in unison.
John smiled wryly, as though he thought them foolish as all the men looked at him, including Susan’s father. ‘Henry went into White’s a week ago and challenged William and Frederick to race him to Brighton. Peter accompanied them.’
‘Bloody hell!’ Uncle Robert barked, then looked at Susan. ‘I apologise. I should not have used that language.’
‘Where are they now?’ Uncle Edward asked.
‘In Brighton still, I believe. I have not seen them in the clubs in London nor heard of their return. They are probably at this moment drunk and losing money over a hand of cards somewhere there. I am surprised you did not know?’ John looked at Uncle Edward. ‘Of course Harry’s regiment is there.’
‘I do not need to be reminded, and he would need little temptation to join them.’
‘That is probably why they have stayed.’ John laughed.
‘I do not find it amusing, John,’ Uncle Robert said. ‘And you do not wish to know what I will do to my damned son—’ Uncle Robert stopped and looked at Susan. ‘Sorry. Forgive me again for my language. Is there no one for you to dance with?’
‘So he may swear as much as he wishes,’ her father whispered near her ear.
