Page 49 of Leap of Faith
“Yes. I think it involves besting me somehow, or ruining the ladies.”
“What did you do to anger him? Is there any history between the two of you?” Rotham asked.
“Nothing that I can recall. We have never been chums, but I have never gone out of my way to cause him bother.”
“Do you think it involves all of us?” Montford asked.
“It sounds as though he would have a perfect opportunity to exact revenge.”
Dominic shook his head. “When you play deep, you should expect deep repercussions, but I do not know Sir Julian well, and if he’s badly dipped, he may well be reckless. I will have my secretary look into it.”
“He was always a little sapskull at school. I admit, I drew his cork a time or two,” Carew said.
“My horse beat one of his last year at Newmarket,” Rotham remarked as he considered.
“Do you think he is rolled up?” Dominic asked. “I had always thought him to be pretty flush in the pocket.”
“Perhaps not. He wagers deep,” Freddy added.
“Then if he is desperate, he would be willing to do anything, which makes this more dangerous than I had supposed.”
Freddy slapped his hand on the table and sat up straight. “I know! You voted him down for the Four-Horse Club.”
Dominic pursed his lips. “So I did. I would do it again.”
“But his pride, Dom. That would give him a reason to despise you. He thinks himself a mean whip,” Freddy said knowingly.
“He can’t point his leaders…perhaps you are right.”
“I confess even I have a history with him,” Montford admitted. “I turned him in for a cheat at Cambridge. He was sent down for it.”
They all looked at Freddy, whom everyone liked. He did not have a malicious bone in his body. “Have you had any quarrels with Sir Julian?” Dominic prodded.
Freddy shrugged. “Beat him once or twice at cards, but I can’t think that would set his bristles up.”
Dominic choked back his laughter. Freddy never beat anyone at cards, bless his soul.
“What were the stakes?” Carew asked.
“A little seaside estate in Kent.”
“The devil you say!” Rotham burst into laughter.
“Good for you, Freddy!” Montford slapped him on the back.
“If he has reason to bear a grudge against all of us, then his cronies will be wary to let slip aught which might blow the gab.”
“Then we will have to be very cunning.” Carew had a gleam in his eyes.
“Best to be discreet,” Montford warned unnecessarily, although perhaps more for Freddy’s sake than the others.
“If you can discover the Whitford ladies’ movements from Lady Westwood, then we shall divide and conquer.”
Dominic raised his glass. “I knew I could count on you.”
“Always,” Rotham remarked.
“Still, it may grow tedious to play nursemaid, but hopefully we can smoke Sir Julian out in quick measure. Certainly faster than if I was working on my own.”
