Page 5 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
Chapter 2
Whiddon downed the rest of his champagne and exchanged it with another as a footman eased past. Two society events within a few days? It was not his idea of time well spent. But his attendance tonight was mandatory, he’d been informed, so it might as well be well lubricated.
In truth, he wouldn’t have missed this event, even without the marching orders delivered by his friends. It was an evening to celebrate the dowager Lady Chester, and he was more than passing fond of the old girl. The new Countess of Chester was throwing the party to celebrate the publication of the dowager’s new book—a new story inThe Lattimere Legends.
The scandal broth had heated to a boil when thetondiscovered the dowager countess was the long unknown authoress of the popular tales. They were all here tonight to savor a taste of the latest brew. And bless the new Lady Chester, for she was giving them plenty to gossip about.
She’d themed her party around Intrepid Women in History and arranged the décor and even the canapés around the idea. Instead of a long table ofhors d’oeuvres, she’d had smaller tables set up throughout the public rooms of the house, each with a portrait of a famous—or infamous—lady and a themed bite of food to go with it.
So far, he’d had a severe looking Flora MacDonald watching him sample a mash of root vegetables piped into the shape of a white rose, and he’d gazed upon a sensual portrait of Cleopatra as he chose from a selection of pyramid shaped pasties.
He came up beside his friend Sterne. “Wait. What is that you’ve got?”
Sterne held up an intricate crown of pastry layers baked with jam rubies showing through and pearls of cream adorning the tips. He popped it in his mouth and gestured over his shoulder. “Queen Elizabeth’s table,” he said, once he’d finished chewing. “Delicious.”
Whiddon pushed past him and went to scoop up a handful of the delicacies. Coming back, he found Chester had joined Sterne, as well.
“Ah, those are good,” Chester said when he saw his hoard. “But I’d stay away from Boudicca if I were you. I heard the debate about her offering, during all the planning. There was much talk of brown hares and minced rabbit, but Julia put her foot down. Last I heard, they were debating between old Celtic dishes of either eggs or parsnips.”
“Noted,” Whiddon said. “I’m happy enough with these.” He crunched down on another crown.
He relaxed a bit, safe in the company of his closest friends. Until Sterne narrowed his eyes at him. “You look fagged. Like you are burning the candle at both ends.” He pursed his lips. “And was that a bit of a limp I noticed, when you came back over here?”
Whiddon shrugged. “I’m fine.”
Chester stiffened and stared at him. “You’ve found another one, haven’t you?”
He sighed and nodded.
“Another of the refugees?” Sterne asked.
Both of his friends looked concerned.
“This one has done well. Found him at a decent sized warehouse. And he reportedly has a house in Soho.”
“You approached him alone?” Chester was annoyed. “We told you to take one of us with you.”
“Be glad I didn’t, or you’d be as sore as I am tonight.”
“What happened?” Sterne asked.
“This one knew me. I tossed the purse onto his desk and he just looked me over and asked if I had his mother’s pearls. He sighed when I told him I did not and weighed the purse in his hand.”
“And found it wanting, I suppose,” sighed Sterne.
“He must have. He had his men take an extra strip or two out of my hide before they tossed me out.”
“Hell and damnation.” Chester was seriously annoyed. “No more. No more making atonement for your nasty father—not without taking one of us along. Swear it, Whiddon. Promise, here and now—do you hear?”
“Fine. Fine.”
“I’ll have your word on it.”
“Fine. I promise. Will that make you happy?” he asked.
“Yes,” Chester said, but his arms were still folded as he glared.
“I said I promise. Now stop glowering before one of your wives begins to ask questions. Especially you, Chester. It’s your event. You must look at least as happy as your Julia. Her first soiree is a raging success, if you judge by the sheer number of people crowded in here.”
