Page 84 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
What had made him think this was such a good idea?
A footman touched him on the elbow and handed him a card. ‘A gentleman at the door, Your Grace.’
He glanced at the card. Ah, yes. His new friend Charles. ‘Have him come in.’
Charles strode in, clearly looking around for the Countess.
Xavier shook his hand and the footman offered him a glass of champagne.
‘Good to see you again,’ Xavier said, trying to sound welcoming. ‘Your sister-in-law will be back in a moment or two.’
‘I hope she did not set out in the direction of my box,’ Charles said with his so charming smile.
Xavier tamped down his irritation. ‘She went with another lady to the withdrawing room.’
‘Ah, I see. Well, while we are waiting, I want to ask you about a horse that is running at Newmarket. I understand you are the expert.’
‘Well—’
‘He is,’ Julian said. ‘Which horse is it?’
‘It is one from his stable, actually. I was wondering if the Duke thought of him—Lucky Chance out of Lady Luck.’
Good God. Xavier had forgotten that the horse was running on the morrow. He’d been so busy making arrangements with regards to Barbara it had gone out of his mind. Never had thathappened before.
He frowned. ‘I don’t give advice regarding entries from my stables,’ he said coolly. ‘The horse is fine. But there are several other good horses entered in that race.’
‘His Grace is modest,’ Julian said. ‘The horse is more than fine. I have money on it.’
Charles nodded at Julian. ‘Then I shall take your advice, my lord.’
‘And it is Julian you will blame if you lose your money,’ Xavier said a little more harshly than he intended. What was it about this fellow that rubbed him the wrong way? Not his relationship to Barbara, surely?
‘Charles!’ Barbara said, looking delighted. ‘How lovely to see you.’
Xavier gritted his teeth and smiled at the pair of them as if he was happy to see them reunited.
‘May I say how beautiful you look this evening,’ Charles said. His gaze focussed on her necklace and he seemed to tear his eyes away with difficulty to make his bow.
Too low a bow in Xavier’s opinion, and his smile far too charming. Fawning, he would call it, or ingratiating. Grovelling.
Hard to believe they were genuine after hiswarnings.
The Countess clearly welcomed his attention.
In Xavier’s opinion, he was someone Barbara should be wary of. Should he warn her? Or would she think he was interfering where he had no right? Worse yet, would she think he was jealous of the fellow?
Perhaps it was all in his imagination.
Chapter Thirteen
‘How are you enjoying London?’ Barbara asked Charles. ‘Are your business affairs going well?’
His brown eyes sharpened. ‘Not as well as I had hoped.’
‘Oh, dear.’
A look of distaste crossed his face. He turned his back to the guests in the box and lowered his voice. ‘Given that the estate owes a great deal of money, I have been unable to raise a mortgage.’
