Page 75 of The Trouble with Tigers
Zeke and Caden laughed both at Randall’s appalled expression.
“You, too, can become surly and staid in your old age.” Zeke lifted his snifter in a silent toast to his friend.
Randall arched a brow and returned the gesture.
“Now, then.” Caden leaned back in his chair. “The truth about Hastings. He was a known regular at some of the seedier establishments, as I recall. I might not have remembered him at all, but there was one incident in particular that etched itself forever in my brain.
“Hastings had been on a winning streak for several nights running, and more than a few of us followed his triumphs on tenterhooks, rather like watching a speeding carriage that everyone but the driver knows is about to lose a wheel. As expected, Hastings’ luck ran out. He went all-in on a horrific hand—and lost.”
Zeke narrowed his eyes. “How much?”
“If memory serves, something to the tune of three thousand pounds, give or take a shilling.”
“Did he make good on his debt?” Randall took the words from Zeke’s mouth.
“I couldn’t say. He left town the next day, as far as anyone knew. I never saw him again. That was some two years ago.”
“Right about the time he sailed for America.”
Zeke scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “You were right to say nothing of Hastings’ foolishness to Kitty. As far as I can tell, she idolized her brother. I see no reason to tarnish his memory for her now he’s dead and gone.”
“Here, here,” the earl said.
“Now that’s out of the way,” Randall began after a moment, his brown eyes gleaming with speculation, “we can move on to the far more interesting subject of your betrothal.”
The earl grinned. “An excellent notion.”
“I’ll admit, I had my doubts as to the veracity of your plans to wed, at first. But no longer,” Randall said.
Zeke arched a brow at his long-time friend. “Indeed. What changed your opinion?”
Randall inclined his head toward Caden. “Hard not to see the merit is all, after meeting her, wouldn’t you say, Cade?”
Caden nodded.
“Well said.” The earl grinned proudly. “She’s extraordinary. A real gem.”
Randall switched his attention to the earl. “Yes. She’s different than the usual London set. Not afraid to speak her mind.” He slanted a look at Zeke. “Or take a certain person to task.”
Caden shrugged. “Randall, I don’t know why you’re dancing around the obvious. She’s remarkable to look at. Those pale green eyes of hers almost make a man forget what he’s saying.” He lifted his hands and began tracing a shape in the air. “And then there’s her figure.”
“I’ll thank you not to discuss my fiancé’s figure,” Zeke snapped.
Caden chuckled with glee, and Zeke realized he’d been played.
Randall directed his next comment to the earl, gesturing toward Zeke with one hand. “There’s the clincher. Zeke’s attitude toward the damsel. Like she exists for his pleasure alone, and God save any man who challenges him. Do you know he refused to let us meet her this afternoon? Sent her right up to her room, rather than introduce us.”
“Is that so?” The earl’s gaze lit on Zeke.
Zeke rolled his eyes.
“I half feared she’d be banished from the dining hall this evening, locked in her room with a tray of food slid under the door,” Randall went on.
“That’s utter nonsense, and you know it,” Zeke said, but he felt the stirrings of a grin.
Caden yawned. “Much as I enjoy any discussion that puts Zeke on the defensive, the day has caught up with me.” He rose, and gave Zeke a fond smile. “It’s good to have you home, brother.”
“It’s good to be home,” Zeke replied, realizing only as he spoke the words they were true.
