Page 75 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
Chapter 18
“Ihope this plan works.”Bakeley looked up from the legal document he was perusing.Perspiration still burnished his brow from his practice session with Penderbrook, but his neckcloth was perfectly knotted, and he looked as though he’d had a few moments of sleep, unlike the rest of them.
“Father is a dab hand with plans,” Charley said.“It will work.”
Or it had better.Charley set a fresh bottle of brandy next to Penderbrook’sLast Will and Testament, the document hastily prepared earlier by one of Shaldon’s solicitors.
“He’s leaving half of everything to Lady Jane, and the other half to a Mr.Walker.”
“The clergyman who raised him.Where’s Father?”
“Off with Kincaid sharpening the swords,” Bakeley said.“He trundled in late last night.”
“In the wee hours?”Had he been sharpening his other sword at Lady Jane’s?
He laughed and pressed a hand over his face, trying to blot out that awful image.
Bakeley laughed also and shook his head.“I find I don’t mind the idea of Lady Jane.”
“If she bolts now and then, he’ll stay out of our hair.”
“Exactly.”Bakeley’s gaze sobered.“If our people at Payne-Elsdon’s lodging fail us, is he better than the Major?”
“I don’t know.I imagine Father knows a trick or two, and is willing to use them, damn the rules.And if all else fails, you’ll step in ashissecond to enforce honor with your trusty pistol, and Kincaid will have his throwing knives.And we could call in Bink with his deadly left hook.I, of course, will be in the bushes with Pender, spewing my morning breakfast, all in the name of preserving our cover.”Charley cracked his knuckles.“I suppose I’ll understand better what Gracie’s going through.”
Bakeley’s gaze held his for a very long pause.“You broke Father’s rule and told your wife.”
Charley grinned.How astute Bakeley was becoming.Almost a mind-reader.His wife was able to keep secrets.On the other hand…
“You told Sirena.”
Bakeley’s mouth firmed, and Charley laughed.“We are both disobedient churls.I hope you locked your lady in her room, else she’ll be dashing out the door looking for Lady Jane.And why am I laughing?Gracie will be right by her side, more than likely.”
“Sirena is sworn to secrecy,” Bakeley’s eyes flashed a warning.
He held up his hands.“Don’t call me out, brother.I know your lady can keep secrets too.”His sister-in-law had almost been killed in this library because of a secret.“With another lady’s heart at stake, we’ve led our wives into terrible temptation.How long will they hold out?”
“Long enough I hope,” Bakeley said.
The library door opened, and Penderbrook stepped in, scanning the room as if it was the last time he’d ever see it.
“Come and sign, Penderbrook,” Bakeley called.Ever the man to get down to business, was his brother.
Bakeley explained the hastily prepared document while Charley found a corkscrew and opened the bottle of brandy.
“You’re as white as your neck cloth, Pender,” he said.“That won’t do.”
Penderbrook ignored him as he scrawled his name, and Charley went to fetch three glasses.
“None for me,” Bakeley said.He blotted the document and set it aside.“Your letters?”
Penderbrook pulled a stack of missives from an inner pocket and Bakeley stacked them atop the will.
“What the devil, Pender?”Charley said.“Did you write to every man at the club?Or are those just your former creditors?”
Color rose in his friend’s cheeks, just as he’d hoped it would.
“We need to leave in minutes.I’m going to find Father,” Bakeley said, and walked out.
