Page 74 of The Trouble with Tigers
“I met Hastings in London.” Caden glanced briefly at the earl. “At an establishment near St. James Street.”
“An establishment,” Zeke repeated. “A new gentlemen’s club?”
Caden licked his lips and rolled the stem of his snifter between two fingers. “Not a club, per se.”
Zeke’s mouth hardened. “A den.”
The earl turned to Zeke. “Of course not, Zeke.” He switched his gaze to Caden. “Tell your brother…” His words died as he read the apology in Caden’s eyes.
“How long have you been frequenting the hells?” Zeke demanded.
Guilt assailed him. If Caden was in trouble again, the blame would fall squarely on his shoulders. He’d been gone far too often over recent years. He hadn’t been here to guide him or keep him out of trouble.
“Good grief, I see the guilt written all over your face, which is precisely why I didn’t want to say anything.” He pointed a finger at Zeke. “You’re not my keeper, and I’m no child.”
They glowered at each other.
“You Thurgoods do know how to keep a party entertaining,” Randall said, laconically. “I really should take notes.”
The earl waved Randall’s comments aside. “Please, m’boy. You’re practically one of them.”
The genuine look of shock Randall sent the earl would normally have had Zeke laughing aloud. Not today. “After what happened last time, Cade? I really can’t believe it. I expected better of you.”
Caden sighed. “It’s not that I frequent them. I visit them on occasion, for fun. What happened at university was a one-off. A terrible mistake. And you know I regretted it, because I had to come to you to bail me out.”
Zeke glowered. “How deep are your losses?”
His jaw hardened. “You aren’t listening. I have no losses to speak of. I’m not a regular at the hells. I haven’t gambled with monies I don’t have to lose since…that time at university. You can believe me or not. Now can we please move on?”
Zeke regarded his brother stonily. “Swear it? You’re not in any trouble? You could…” He heaved a sigh. “You can always come to me. No matter what.”
Caden rolled his eyes. “If you’re in the country, you mean?”
Zeke winced.
Caden scrubbed a hand over his jaw, his expression contrite. “That was a low blow. I apologize.”
“Good lad,” the earl said.
Caden sent his grandfather a wink and a nod before continuing. “I thank you for your kind offer, Zeke. However, I’m telling you the truth. I am not in any trouble with the dens, have not been in any trouble, and will not be in any trouble. I can’t say it more plainly than that.
"I didn’t want to talk about what I know of Hastings because, suffice it to say, it occurred to me Lady Kitty would not be pleased. Aside from that, I know how you feel about dens and how you associate them with our father. I didn’t want you looking at me like you are now, like I’m nothing but a bloody disappointment.”
“Be glad I’m only looking. A moment ago I was prepared to beat some sense into you.”
Caden bristled visibly. “You could try, old man.”
“Boys, is this really necessary?” the earl asked wearily. “Zeke, Caden has already told you there’s no need for concern.”
Randall cocked a brow. “My lord, are we certain this is your eldest grandson sitting here? Because the Zeke I know was never so serious. He laughed constantly, oft times, out of turn. He goaded and bossed his younger brother with impunity, but never resembled an out and out curmudgeon. Come to think of it, the Zeke I know would get engaged to be married kicking and screaming, not with such cool aplomb.”
Well, hell. Randall’s description hit a little too close to the mark. He’d overreacted just now with Caden, in large part due to his own guilt.
As to going into his engagement with alacrity—well, there, Randall also had him pegged. Witness his initial reaction to the idea of marrying Kitty. He’d pitched a bloody fit.
To his surprise, Caden spoke up in his defense. “It’s not entirely Zeke’s fault. He has reason to despise the hells. We all know the fate that befell our father.”
The earl smiled like a proud father. “Quite right, Caden. And more to the point, Randall…” He slid the viscount a look. “Perhaps Zeke’s just growing up. Marriage is the natural consequence of such an occurrence. Perhaps you’re next.”
