Page 3 of Wicked Rivals
Ashton wasn’t entirely certain he agreed with that. Audrey Sheridan was Cedric’s youngest sister, and while she was trouble enough, Ashton knew the other ladies were almost as talented at getting into mischief.
“Ash, have a look.” Godric handed theGazetteto him as Ashton took a chair next to him.
He glanced down at the article they’d been discussing when he arrived. His temper soon flared.
“Hidingbehind my fleet of ships, am I?” The growl that escaped him was completely unexpected. Struggling for calm, Ashton closed his eyes and counted to ten in Latin as he’d done all his life when quelling his temper. When he opened his eyes again, he was smiling. It mattered naught. His plan was set in motion, and soon Rosalind would be dealt with.
“Well, she does have it right about you three.” He checked the article again to recite the exact words. “‘Succumbing to the charms of Eros and taking wives.’”
Godric plucked the paper from Ashton’s hands. “I wish I knew who wrote this drivel. Probably some old bat on Upper Wimpole Street who can’t find a proper way into theton, exercising her vengeance for not being among the elite few.” His slightly sarcastic tone hinted at his dislike of his own class.
Lucien swirled his glass of brandy and left his position by the window to take an empty chair by Cedric. Inspiration seemed to strike him.
“Why don’t we put our darling wives on it? It would certainly keep them busy and out of our affairs for a change if they were off solving a mystery.”
Cedric laughed. “I dare say they might even learn who she is, but there is no way Emily, Anne or Horatia would betray one of their own. And as hard as we try, there’s no stopping them when it comes to our affairs.”
Ashton nodded his agreement. But the problem that lay heavy upon his heart was the danger that one part of the League’s past presented to the women in their lives.
As if echoing Ashton’s trepidation, Godric crossed his arms, a grim look in his green eyes. “That reminds me, where do we stand on the Waverly matter?”
Ashton was seized with tension, every muscle knotting. Waverly always drew out dark memories and old fears, along with a tide of guilt.
There was a time that Hugo was merely an annoying privileged sod they’d met at Cambridge. But due to an old family vendetta, Waverly had attempted to kill their friend Charles, but another student had died that night instead. One who had been blameless and only trying to make peace. It was a moment that had changed all their lives.
Ashton’s palms twitched, as though he could feel the taint of that innocent man’s blood still coating his hands.
“He’s been seen at the docks where my fleet is, but I haven’t been able to ascertain what his intentions are at present. I suggest we all watch one another until Waverly’s next scheme reveals itself.”
Godric tried to hold back a scowl but failed. Patience had never been one of his virtues when he felt action could be taken.
Ashton reached into his waistcoat and pulled out a small pocket watch on a slender silver chain. It had been one hour since he’d given his instructions to the last of the banks regarding Rosalind’s credit. In less than half an hour, the men he’d met with would be sending in notices to Rosalind’s bank to demand their notes be cashed in for gold. The little Scottish hellion would pay for embarrassing him at the theater last month.
If only I could see her face the moment she realizes she’s ruined.
Of course, he wasn’t so cruel as to send her to debtors’ prison. The woman would get her fortune back in time, after he learned what secrets Hugo held within her business, after she learned he was not to be trifled with. Lady Melbourne deserved such a lesson for challenging him.
“Good God, Ash is grinning. That’s never a good sign,” Lucien muttered.
Ashton broke out of the almost gleeful thoughts he’d been having.
“Ash.” Godric’s tone was full of warning. “Care to share with us what is going on in that head of yours?”
Cedric, Lucien and Godric all leaned forward, as though afraid to be overheard despite the privacy of the club’s Bombay Room. The grandfather clock in the corner chimed the hour, but it did not distract his friends’ rapt attention.
Ashton slipped his watch back into his coat pocket and met their stares.
“As of one hour ago, I set a plan in motion that will financially break Lady Melbourne. It will allow me to put a stop to her activities and therefore hurt Waverly.”
“She’s in league with him?” asked Cedric.
“All I know for certain is that he’s been using her ships to his own ends, and I want to stop him. He’s partnered with her in several companies, and I wish to gain access to her books as well as shipping manifests. But the only way I can review her companies is to have a claim on them myself. Therefore, I’ve bought up most of her debts—not that she had many. I will own her in all but name.”
A low whistle escaped Cedric’s lips. “Ash, our wives have invited her to tea this afternoon.”
For the first time in a long while, Ashton felt gleeful. “If only I were there to see her face when she learns the truth.” To see her beautiful gray eyes wide with shock, her lips parted as she sucked in a surprised breath… It would be almost as beautiful as having claimed her body in his bed. But since he could not have her body—one did not sleep with one’s enemies, after all—this would have to suffice.
It was several moments later when his friends finally broke the silence.
