Page 11 of Wicked Rivals
Rosalind,
Keep this safe, keep it close. Take it home to Scotland. I’ve entrusted your brothers with a secret that even they do not understand. You may yet have the chance to undo the evils I have created in my life.
Montgomery
The pocket watch was a heavy gold piece with no remarkable engravings upon it. She opened it to see a simple clock face, and it appeared to be broken. What sort of game was her father playing? Whatever it was, she had no desire to go along with it. She folded the watch up in the handkerchief and set it back in the parcel next to the letters. There wasn’t time to worry about it now.
She hastily finished the letters to her business partners, and with a final curious glance at the package she left her study. She found Claire busy packing in her chambers.
“Would you see that the stack of letters in my study is also packed? I shall need to read them and respond as necessary while we are at Lord Lennox’s estate.”
“I’ll see to it at once.” Claire departed, and Rosalind sat down on her bed, her mind still racing as she decided what she was to do about Lennox. She would have to worry about her father and his enigmatic gift later.
*****
Jonathan St. Laurent stood at the entryway of a fashionable townhouse on Half Moon Street. The keys to the door felt heavy in his palm, and his heart gave a quick thump. The residence had once belonged to a baron, Lord Chessley, who had passed away in early April. His daughter, Anne, had married Jonathan’s friend Cedric three weeks later.
“Scandal be damned,” as Cedric had said. Since Cedric and Anne both resided in his London townhouse on Curzon Street, they’d had no use for a second house and had chosen to sell it.
Now Chessley House was his. He’d met with the butler and housekeeper, and it seemed the entire staff except for Anne’s lady’s maid, who had agreed to stay on with him. Yet he felt strangely off balance being the one in charge of a household.
He’d spent his whole life as a servant of the Duke of Essex, only to discover that Godric was his half brother. After the late duchess had passed, Godric’s father had secretly remarried his wife’s lady’s maid, and Jonathan had been the result of that union. The secret, but legitimate, son of a duke.
After that revelation his life had been turned upon its head. He was thrust into Godric’s world and was even considered one of the League of Rogues. But now he was contemplating marriage and settling down.
He snorted. Perhaps not the settling down. The woman he was interested in was not at all tame, and she’d likely never settle down. But he’d wanted to at least have a home to offer her when he proposed.
“Sir.” The butler emerged from the servants’ quarters. “I did not know you’d be here today. Please come in and let me take your hat.”
“Thank you.” Jonathan handed his hat to the man. It was still strange to be a gentleman. He’d been a footman, a gardener, and a valet for the last ten years, and it was difficult to curb old habits, such as wanting to see to his own hat or shutting the door behind himself.
“How is the house? Do you and the rest of the staff have everything you need?” Jonathan asked.
“We’re quite fine, sir. You received this note an hour ago. I was just about to have it delivered to Lord Essex’s townhouse.”
A sealed letter was handed over, and Jonathan unfolded it. A familiar hand had scrawled a few lines.
Jon,
Meet me at the Fives Court at two this afternoon. I’m of a mind to bloody a few noses in the ring. Should be good fun.
Charles
Jonathan snorted. Charles. The Earl of Lonsdale was always up to something. Not that Jonathan was surprised. He’d grown up living on the fringes of the League’s world and was well aware of the antics they got into. Now he was one of them.
He grinned.Duty calls, I suppose. It would be no hardship to join Charles to watch him box.
“Is there anything you need from me, sir?” the butler asked.
“Er…no, I’m going out again. I’m not sure if I’ll be back for dinner, so don’t let the cook worry about preparing anything. Cold cuts and a bit of wine will be fine when I return.”
“Very good, sir.”
Jonathan glanced at the clock by the base of the stairs. Half past one. He needed to leave immediately. He waved off his hat when the butler held it out.
“No need for that where I’m going.” He turned right back around and headed outside, relieved to see the hackney hadn’t yet left.
“Are you still available?” he asked the driver.
