Page 62 of Wicked Rivals
“Yes,tea,” Emily replied. “It’s what friends do when they visit each other, have a cup of tea.” The glint in her eyes warned him she had sensed his rising unease. The little duchess was far too observant. It was one of the things he admired about her, except when that keen gaze was directed his way.
This was a dreadful mistake. He couldn’t ask Cedric for a favor, not when everyone was there staring at him. He could not let them know what he was up to until he had his license in hand and Rosalind on the way to the altar. Anything else might disrupt his plans. Emily might even attempt to sabotage his plans if she felt he was taking advantage of the woman.
“My apologies, but I should go. I forgot I had an appointment this morning.”
Lucien was soon on his feet, blocking Ashton from retreating through the door.
“Ho there, Ash, what’s the hurry? Surely a cup of tea with friends isn’t something to run from?” Lucien’s smirk filled Ashton with a sense of rage. If it wasn’t for the fact that the man would be a father in a few short months, he would have knocked him on his arse.
Emily rose from the settee she’d been sharing with Godric and walked toward him. “Ashton, are youblushing?”
Godric laughed. “Em, darling, men do not blush.”
“I don’t know about that,” Horatia chimed in, one hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. She hadn’t stood when he entered, and he wouldn’t have wished her to. She was due in October and needed to rest. “He is certainly turning a tad ruddy-cheeked.”
The focus of all eyes on him only made the flush on his face that much stronger.
“I’mnotblushing,” he growled. “I have just ridden in, and I am nearly as exhausted as my horse. Cedric, I’d like a word with you—outside, if you please.” He knew he’d have to get his question out sooner or later, so he might as well get it done with now.
Cedric’s grin faded as he shared looks with Lucien, who still blocked the doorway, and Godric, who rose automatically and came over to join them.
“I saidCedric, not you lot.”
The men laughed. “If you think there’s anything he won’t tell us the moment you’re gone, you’re mistaken,” said Godric.
Ashton sighed dramatically. He was right, of course.
The three of them followed him into the corridor, and Ashton shut the parlor door to prevent the ladies from overhearing him.
“What is it, Ash?” Cedric asked. “Is it Waverly again?”
“No, nothing like that.” Taking a deep breath, he readied for the humiliation he expected to follow. “I was hoping you would accompany me to the Doctors’ Commons to obtain a special license.”
“The Doctors’ Commons? Who’s getting married?” Cedric asked.
Ashton let out a slow sigh. “I am.”
Godric gasped and Lucien made the sign of the cross, muttering half a prayer. Their overreactions made Ashton scowl.
“It’s not as though the four horsemen are riding down Curzon Street,” he snapped.
“Tell me you’re joking. Who the devil would you marry? You broke it off with your last mistress months ago.” Lucien crossed his arms, studying Ashton critically.
Godric snapped his finger. “Wait! I have it! You made a bet with Charles and lost. I say, though, awfully bad high stakes. Who are you marrying? Freddy Poncenby’s little sister? She’s a sweet gal, but that family…imagine the Christmas dinners. Lord, you don’t want that, do you?”
“Miss Poncenby? You know I’d never—”
“Then who?” Cedric prompted. “I can’t believe you’d marry, Ash—it’s not exactly your cup oftea.” At the mention of tea his friends sniggered.
“This isn’t a joke, and I don’t want any bloody tea. Christ, you all are enough to drive a man to the bottle. I require someone to come with me to the Doctors’ Commons. That is all. I was hoping, Cedric, that you would be theleastlikely to make this matter difficult.”
Godric sobered a little. “I think he’s telling the truth. The question now iswhywould you marry? Have you fallen in love?”
Cedric shook his head. “It’s an alliance, I’ll wager.”
Lucien’s eyes suddenly lit up. “It wouldn’t happen to be a certain Scottish lady, would it?”
“This isn’t about love, but yes, I am marrying Rosalind even if it kills us both.”
