Page 27 of Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“Oh!” Olivia said brightly, “I’ve got one from the third play. Felix and a friend go to Ranelagh Gardens with their mistresses. Once there, Felix starts a rumor that the two demireps are really middle-aged but have partaken of an elixir that makes them look half their real age. When the vainest men and women of the company beg Felix for some of the elixir, he ‘reluctantly’ gives it to them.”
Olivia chuckled. “But it’s actually plum schnapps, a strong German liquor, and before long, Felix has them all drunk. He assures them that they’re now looking quite youthful. As you might imagine, that leads them into all sorts of amusing situations, with one man even telling his own servant his name, sure that he has become so youthful in appearance that the servant won’t recognize him.”
Thorn brightened. He knewthisadventure very well. What’s more, Felix’s “friend” in the play was based on Grey. Thorn cast a sly look at his brother.
Grey’s face was already clouding over. “That seems like a very convoluted tale to be anything Thorn might have done.”
“I agree.” Thorn tapped his chin. “Although it does sound an awful lot like the time you and I went with Juncker to Ranelagh Gardens, along with our—”
“It does not,” Grey interrupted. “Not in the least.”
Beatrice smirked at Thorn, who winked at her. “When did the three of you go to Ranelagh Gardens?”
“It would have to have been before the place shut down in 1803,” Thorn said. “So it wasn’t long after I arrived in England, back when Grey and I used to act like feckless ruffians occasionally.”
“Veryoccasionally,” Grey said while glaring at Thorn.
“Then that was long before he metme.” Beatrice was clearly fighting a smile. “So, what was Grey’s mistress like, anyway? He won’t give me any details, although I know he had at least one.”
Grey laid his head back against the squabs to look heavenward. “God help me.”
Eyes widening, Olivia glanced first to Grey, then to Thorn. “You really had mistresses? Both of you?”
It was Thorn’s turn to be uncomfortable, although he couldn’t imagine why. “I did,” he said belligerently. “Half of my peers did, too. I was young and new to London and . . .” Trying to prove something to himself after a certain young lady had inexplicably turned down his offer of marriage.
“And what?” Olivia prodded, with the same curiosity she showed for arsenic tests.
“I was sowing my wild oats like any other buck of the first head.” He hated that he sounded defensive. “It was a long time ago.” His voice hardened. “And this is a highly inappropriate conversation.”
Beatrice snorted. “You’ve never balked at inappropriate conversations before, Thorn.”
“Very well,” he said coldly. “If you truly want to hear all about our mistresses—”
“Can wepleasetalk about something else?” Grey said with a groan.
“Feeling all those little chickens coming home to roost, are you, my love?” Beatrice said lightly.
“You find this amusing, I suppose,” Grey muttered.
“Vastly so,” Beatrice said with a teasing smile.
Thorn laughed. “That’s what you get, Grey, for inventing a stupid game in an attempt to makemelook bad.” And to unwittingly expose his secret.
Although no one seemed to have put that together. Perhaps because Juncker had been with them. Or perhaps because of Grey’s ridiculous claim that Thorn was jealous. Thorn was allowing that to stand. It was as good a way as any to protect his secret self.
“Fine, I concede defeat,” Grey said, a red flush creeping up his neck. “I give my points to Miss Norley. That makes her the official winner.”
“I won!” Olivia said, seemingly oblivious to the under-currents between Thorn and Grey. “Do I get a prize?”
“Do youneeda prize?” Thorn countered.
She cocked her head. “There’s hardly any point to winning if one doesn’t get a prize.”
“I can think of a number of prizes I can give you, Miss Norley,” Thorn said in a low, husky voice, hoping to rouse a blush again, “though I don’t think your parents would approve.”
“Thorn,” Grey warned. “Watch where you’re treading.”
Thorn stifled a curse. “Here.” He handed her the newspaper he’d brought along to read. “Will this do for a prize?”
