Page 74 of When the Marquess Was Mine
She did not hear a single word of the play that entire evening.
Rob left the theater before he started punching holes in the walls in exultation. She wasn’t marrying that scoundrel Sterling, and she’d kissed him passionately enough to melt his brain. What a bloody brilliant decision, coming back to London.
Tom loped up beside him. “Did you cause an uproar?”
Rob stopped and faced his brother. “I want to marry that girl. You can either offer your congratulations or go back to Lancashire.”
Tom’s eyes popped. “Marry her? Ballocks! You knew her for a week, and you were out of your head!”
Rob nodded once. “I’ll tell Bigby to pack your things.”
“Wait!” His brother scrambled after him. “What the devil? You can’t spring that on a fellow and walk away.”
“Oh, I can.” Rob kept walking.
“West!” Tom caught his arm, swinging him around to a stop. “You can’t really mean to...” He gestured with one hand.
“Why not?”
Tom gaped. “You know why!”
“Because I ought to make some dull society marriage?” He raised one brow skeptically. “Or because you don’t want to marry and can’t comprehend anyone else wanting to?”
“She’s engaged to Sterling,” hissed Tom.
Rob grinned jubilantly. “She threw him over. Explains his discontent at Vega’s, don’t you think?”
Tom scowled. “She threw him over for you?”
“Since it happened several days ago, no.” But he sincerely hoped he’d been part of her reason.
His brother was not appeased. “I don’t like it.”
“No,” Rob corrected. “You don’t likeher. Which is stupid of you, and irrelevant to me.” On impulse he added, “Come with me tomorrow when I call on her.”
Tom recoiled in horror before a grim resignation settled on his face. “I suppose I’ll have to.”
Rob lifted one shoulder. “It makes no difference to me. But I think she’ll improve on you.”
“Ho there! West!” The shout made them both turn. A passing carriage had stopped in the street, and a man hung out the window, waving one arm enthusiastically. “God’s blood, man, you’ve been gone an age!”
“Friends of yours?” murmured Tom.
“Marlow,” said Rob reluctantly, lifting one hand in reply. “And Heathercote.” Heath put his head out the other window and doffed his hat with a sly expression.
“Come on, come on.” Marlow had half fallen out of the carriage and jogged across the street. He slung an arm around Rob’s neck. “We’re for Vega’s. Come along!”
Rob hesitated. He’d avoided the Vega Club since returning to town.
“Another Churchill,” said Marlow, blinking at Tom. “Welcome to come.”
“You must be Tom,” drawled Heath, strolling across the street. “I’ve met George, and been assured William avoids town.”
Tom acknowledged it with a slight bow. “Lord Heathercote.”
Heath grinned. “My reputation precedes me! Come, lads, we could be sharing a bottle instead of standing in the street.” He cocked one brow meaningfully as he turned back to the carriage. “We’re to meet Forester and Sackville, too.”
“Glad you’re back, West,” added Marlow. “It’s been desolate without you. Heath’s even let a new fellow take your place at Vega’s.”
