Chapter Three

“Your Majesty, Lord Wentworth is—”

“I see, Jeffers. Isn’t it wonderful?” Steven beamed at the monitor displaying the front of the castle. Wentworth was kissing Colton. They were perfect for each other, but Steven had never dreamed Sebastian returned Colton’s feelings until today. Steven doubted Sebastian even realized what he felt yet, but when Sebastian had complained about Colton ignoring him, Steven had known. It was going to be up to him to push them together and make Sebastian open his eyes. Kissing was a great start. Just look how tenderly Sebastian held Colton’s face now. Resting his chin on his hand, Steven sighed.

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. Are you saying you do not want anyone to stop them?”

“I do not. From now on let them be. Treat them as you would Aiden and Nate or Raleigh and me. Oh, and this must stay our secret. Where’s Raleigh?”

“Still in his meeting, Your Majesty.”

“Good, good. Leave him be, Jeffers. That will be all.”

Oh no, Wentworth broke the kiss before it really got started. Steven slumped back in his desk chair.

Colton grabbed Sebastian by the lapels and dragged him forward, planting a kiss right on his lips.

Yes! Steven shot forward again.

All Colton’s longing came out in the embrace. It was wild and passionate. Wentworth wrapped his arms around Colton’s waist.

Steven smiled so big his cheeks hurt and pumped his fist in the air. He couldn’t have planned this better. Sebastian would take care of Colton and cherish him. He’d handle Colton’s stubbornness without breaking his spirit. And Colton had been in love with Sebastian since the day he’d started working as head of security. It was quite unheard of for a titled gentleman to work, but with Wentworth’s military record and a sterling recommendation from Admiral Jenkins, Steven had hired him. He’d never regretted the decision. The young man had needed something to do after the death of his husband. Over the years, it had become apparent the marriage had not been a happy one. And Wentworth deserved to be happy. Steven had no doubts whatsoever that his son would bring joy into the viscount’s life.

Colton shoved Sebastian away and jogged toward the castle. The boy’s impetuousness seemed to have diminished in recent years. He was much more responsible. Blast it all.

“Never fear, son. I’m going to help you.” If anyone understood Colton’s infatuation, it was Steven. He’d been the same way when he’d noticed Raleigh for the first time and had stopped at nothing until Raleigh was his. The infatuation hadn’t let up yet. Raleigh was even more appealing with age and familiarity.

Humming, Steven pulled up the camera in Wentworth’s office. Sebastian wasn’t there yet, but Steven could judge Wentworth’s response to that kiss better when he appeared.

Someone cleared their throat, jerking Steven out of his thoughts and making his heart stutter.

Raleigh’s voice preceded him into the study. “Disregard, Jeffers, I’ve found him.”

Steven tried to glare but doubted he was successful. There was no one he wanted to see more at the moment. “Don’t sneak up on me, Raleigh. What’re you doing lurking around corners?”

Cocking his head to the side, Raleigh squinted and pulled the door closed behind him. “Trying to figure out what you’re up to.” Arching a brow, he started around the desk.

Steven leaned back in his chair and crossed his hands over his stomach. Sometimes it was like Raleigh could read his mind. Steven smiled at his consort. “I was just thinking about you actually.”

“I’m not buying it. You were humming. You only hum when you’re excelling at something, or when you’re pleased with yourself. Since I don’t recall anything going on in the House of Lords, it must be something personal.”

“It was. I told you I was thinking about you and the night we met. Other than that I was merely looking over my correspondence.” He glanced back at the monitor for a split second and nearly flinched. He was about to get caught spying on the soon-to-be couple. “Close the screen, Jeffers, and put the keyboard away.”

“Ah-ha.” Raleigh hurried around the desk. Bloody hell. “You can never keep eye contact when you lie.”

He couldn’t? Steven frowned. He was going to have to work on that then. He glanced at the screen again. On the camera, Sebastian had just sat in his desk chair. Hurry, Jeffers.

By the time, Raleigh made it to the other side there was nothing on the screen. It folded into the desk, and the halo keyboard vanished. “Steven…”

Steven grinned up at him. “Yes, dearest?”

“What have you done?”

“I told you, I haven’t done anything.”

“Jeffers, bring the screen back up immediately.”

“Raleigh, you’re paranoid.” Steven scooted back and pulled Raleigh into his lap. Raleigh’s round behind nestled perfectly against Steven’s groin. It was enough to bring the memory of this morning back to him. His and Raleigh’s encounter had been nice before Colton had barged in with his plans for a racing stud. Sometimes having children was a nuisance. Even more of a reason to see them all happily settled.

The screen came back out of the desk as Steven wrapped his arms around Raleigh’s waist. The smell of chocolate and mint flooded Steven’s senses. Raleigh’s skin appeared so smooth and biteable beneath his ear. He traced his tongue up the side of Raleigh’s neck and found Raleigh’s earlobe with his lips.

Raleigh shivered but didn’t detour from his study of the screen. The man was like a dog with a bone when he’d made up his mind. He was right in this instance. Steven was matchmaking, but still the legendary persistence was annoying. Actually, Raleigh’s penchant for always being right was just as vexing. Not that he wanted Raleigh to be anywhere else, but Steven couldn’t get away with anything when he was around.

The monitor showed Sebastian leaning back in his chair with his hands over his face. The view changed abruptly to the boy’s corridor. Trouble and Tarren were racing down the hall. What were they doing? They skidded to a halt beside Colton’s door. The next camera shot showed Colton walking up the stairs toward the hall that Trouble and Tarren had just sped down.

Raleigh pointed at the screen. “What is this? It’s not correspondence.”

“I was corresponding with Jeffers about camera angles.”

Turning his head, Raleigh narrowed his eyes at Steven.

“What?”

“You’re trying to tell me you were writing letters to Jeffers?”

If he told Raleigh what he was up to, Raleigh would object and then forbid him to continue. “I meant I was conversing with him.”

Raleigh rolled his eyes upward. “If there was any justice in the world, you’d look like a mad scientist rather than a fallen angel.”

Raleigh thought he looked like an angel? Steven’s cock began to harden. “I’m not doing anything. I was making certain the security system is running smoothly.”

“One does not refer to that as correspondence.” Raleigh’s blasted brow arched.

Good galaxy, Steven’s skin prickled under the scrutiny. “One does when one—”

Raleigh’s other brow joined the first one.

“Stop it. I’m innocent, I tell you. I was in here daydreaming about you.” Steven pulled him close until Raleigh’s back rested against his chest. Breathing softly in Raleigh’s ear, Steven whispered, “Be nice to me, Cony.”

Raleigh sagged into his embrace, and his weight pressed against Steven’s cock.

Gads, that felt nice. A tingle raced through Steven, traveling from his neck down to his toes. “How’d your meeting go?”

“It ran over.”

“So I see. What do you have planned now? You don’t have enough time to make it to your appointment at the haberdashers.” He kissed Raleigh’s neck.

“I love that you keep track of my appointments as well as your own.” Raleigh closed his eyes and dropped his head onto Steven’s shoulder.

A chuckle escaped Steven. He’d learned a long time ago that Raleigh was a romantic whether he wanted to believe it or not. He kissed Raleigh’s cheek. “Don’t you always know where I am?”

“Yes. Or at least where you should be and what you should be doing.”

Steven rolled his eyes, thankful his consort couldn’t see it. That was not a line of thinking he wanted Raleigh following. It would lead right back to why he was watching Colton and Sebastian. “Since you know where I am, and I know where you are, what do you have planned now?”

“I don’t have anything until Jeremy’s fencing lesson this afternoon.”

“I wonder what Trouble’s argument to get out of the lesson will be this time.”

“Mmmm…” Raleigh grinned and tilted his head, giving his husband better access. “I don’t know. Last time he told me he preferred a knife to a sword, and it was much better because no one expected it.”

The scamp had also snuck up on Raleigh and put a blade to his throat to prove his point. Raleigh had planted Jeremy on his arse and slapped him across the cheek with his sword before Steven could yell at the boy. Jeremy definitely had Marcus’s, his biological father’s, ruthlessness.

“I’m betting on a fragger today. Let’s hope he doesn’t shoot me.” Raleigh ran his palms over Steven’s thighs.

His leg muscles jumped, and an appreciative sound rumbled out. “He’d better not.” Sliding his hand down Raleigh’s chest, Steven caressed his stomach for a few moments before drifting lower. “Get Rexley to take over for you today. Trouble wouldn’t dare shoot Rexley. Then you can spend the rest of the day with me. We can finish what Colton interrupted this morning.”

“What were you really doing when I came in?” Raleigh tried to sit up, but Steven caught him.

Groaning, Steven left one arm around Raleigh’s chest and trailed the other back down. He fumbled with Raleigh’s buttons as he kissed and nuzzled his way under Raleigh’s cravat. “Are we back to that?”

“Yes.”

Steven ceased working his hand inside the placket of Raleigh’s trousers. “Colton went riding this morning without a guard.”

After a few seconds Raleigh stood up, turned and sat on the edge of the desk facing Steven. “And? Stop hedging. Colton goes riding every day without a guard. Jeffers watches him. How’s today different?”

“Wentworth said no one was allowed out without a guard.”

“Like I said, Colton goes every day. This isn’t news to Wentworth or anyone else.”

“Exactly.” Steven scooted his chair forward and placed his hands on Raleigh’s knees. His gaze strayed toward Raleigh’s groin before he made eye contact. Unfortunately, he wasn’t going to get a hold of that cock until he gave Raleigh an answer. “It’s not safe. Besides, Colton was nearly at Wentworth Park, according to Jeffers.”

“That isn’t good, but it still doesn’t explain your mood. Are you matchmaking again?”

Blast! “Moi?” Steven clutched his hand to his chest. “Don’t be ridiculous, Co—”

“Don’t you Cony me. You cease and desist right this instant. Those two would be a terrible match, and Colton doesn’t need any encouragement in that direction. Galaxy knows he plagues Wentworth enough.”

“I disagree. I think they’d be perfect together. And I think—”

“Steven Rexley Phillipe Edward Townsend.”

“Did you just use my entire name?”

Raleigh’s lip twitched. “I mean it. Whatever it is you have planned, you better un-plan.”

Dropping his hand behind his chair back, Steven crossed his fingers. “I haven’t planned anything.”

“Then don’t. Wentworth has his hands full with the guards. He can’t be Colton’s personal escort. Besides, throwing him into Colton’s company is a recipe for disaster. I like Wentworth as much as you do, but you know what his reputation is like. Why just last week he was caught in a compromising position with Lord Madison at the opera. And by Madison’s consort, no less.”

“Madison is a wanton. He’ll fuck anything in trousers.”

“Steven!”

“Well…it’s true. And besides, Wentworth is the only one capable of keeping up with Colton on horseback.” Steven’s gaze drifted back down, and his hands returned to Raleigh’s buttons. He needed to end this conversation.

Raleigh lifted his spouse’s chin with his finger. “No one can get onto our property without Jeffers knowing.”

One button came undone. “What about when he leaves our property?” Another button loosened.

“Then someone besides Wentworth will watch him. And I’m fairly certain Wentworth would prefer it that way as well.” Raleigh batted at Steven’s hand, trying to make his point. “Are you listening to me?”

Standing, Steven slipped his hand into Raleigh’s trousers and pushed his smallclothes out of the way. “I always listen to you, love.” He bussed Raleigh on the lips as his hand wrapped firmly around Raleigh’s cock.

“Steven—”

Steven seized his consort’s mouth. With one hand squeezing Raleigh and the other firmly on the back of Raleigh’s neck, Steven eased him back onto the desk.

“Umf.” Raleigh tapped him on the arm, but Steven ignored him. Raleigh really did underestimate his tenacity sometimes. Thank galaxy.

Planting one knee on the desk, Steven levered himself next to Raleigh and leaned over him. His thumb brushed just under the crown of Raleigh’s cock as the warmth of Raleigh’s body seeped through Steven’s clothing. Was there anything more wonderful than the feel of this man against him? If there was, Steven had never felt it.

“Ahh…”

Steven laved the inside of Raleigh’s mouth and nibbled at his bottom lip until finally Raleigh wrapped his arms around Steven’s neck.

Raleigh did some nibbling of his own. Thrusting his hips into Steven’s hand, Raleigh trailed his lips over Steven’s jaw and down his neck. Jerking the neckcloth loose, Raleigh tossed it away and grazed his teeth over Steven’s skin. He fumbled with the placket on Steven’s trousers and grabbed Steven’s cock through his smallclothes.

“Ssss…” Steven moaned but never faltered in stroking Raleigh.

The dazed stare on Raleigh’s face was a beautiful thing to behold. If his complete abandon didn’t take Steven right over the edge of desire, his warm hand would. It had Steven’s every nerve alive and sizzling with pleasure, and Raleigh hadn’t even touched his bare skin.

“Steven,” Raleigh mumbled against his neck. “Let’s retire to the bedroom and finish this there.” He managed to gain entrance into Steven’s smallclothes and gripped a handful of cock.

Closing his eyes and trying to think of anything but his consort’s ministrations, Steven arched his neck. “In a moment. We should finish this here and start all over upstairs.” Oh yes, that sounded nice. It would more than make up for this morning’s interruption. He squeezed his Cony’s prick and—

A chuckle sounded at the door.

Steven froze.

Raleigh pulled his lips away from Steven’s neck. “What—?”

Dalton Fairfax, their only nephew, stood just inside the office. He wore his IN casual uniform and a smirk on his handsome face. Apparently he’d received their invitation to stay at the castle on his fortnight leave. Still smiling, he removed his cover, revealing sandy-blond hair, and dropped the hat to his side.

Raleigh turned his head, trying to see. “Bloody hell. Tell me that’s not Ashbourne. All I can see is the lieutenant insignia on his coat.”

“It’s Lord Demon all right, and he has despicable timing.” If Steven didn’t adore the boy as much as Raleigh did, he’d throttle him.

Dalton chuckled. “And they say I’m insatiable.”

Steven sighed. At least he’d detoured Raleigh’s questioning.

 

 

Leaning against his closed bedroom door, Colton ran his fingers through his hair and let out the breath he’d been holding. What had just happened? He touched his lips. His mouth was tingly and swollen. Not to mention very warm and sensitive. Dust. He’d actually kissed Wentworth. No, Wentworth had kissed him.

Colton’s stomach flip-flopped. He’d wanted that kind of attention from Wentworth for as long as he could remember, and now that it had happened he had no idea how to feel about it.

He placed his quivering hand against his chest, and his heart thudded under his palm. Why now? Why after he’d given up hope of one day being with the man?

Blowing out a breath, he shoved away from the door and headed toward his bedroom window.

“Are you okay?”

“Ack.” Colton jumped and whirled to face the intruder.

Trouble stood just inside the door connecting Colton’s bedroom to his sitting room. Behind him, Colton’s youngest brother, Tarren, sat forward on the loveseat with his forearms resting on his knees. Both of them stared expectantly at Colton.

Heaving a sigh, Colton trudged to the sitting room. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be? What’re the two of you doing in here?”

Trouble moved aside to let Colton pass then planted himself on the loveseat next to Tarren. “I overheard Jeffers tell Steven you kissed Wentworth.”

Splendid. Colton dropped to the damask chair opposite them, landing with a bounce. He was so dead.

“How was it?” Tarren asked with a grin. “Did the earth move? Did you feel as though your world was now complete? Like it was the moment you’d been born for?”

Groaning, Trouble shoved Tarren and looked back at Colton. “Steven told Jeffers to keep quiet and pretend it didn’t happen. I’m guessing that means he isn’t mad.”

“He did what?” Why would Father do that? Why wouldn’t he confront Colton? Oh no. “He must be waiting to tell Cony.” Colton’s head swam and his chest constricted. There goes opening a racing stud. “Father and Cony are going to lock me up and throw away the key. I’ll be confined to my room for the rest of my life all because of one lousy kiss.”

“It was lousy?” Tarren frowned. “Gilbert Montrose said having someone’s tongue in your mouth is kind of disgusting. He kissed Lord Fielding, but Lord Fielding is only in his first season. He probably didn’t know how to kiss any more than Gilbert did. But Wentworth is an expert. Lord Tristian said Percy Edmonstone said when Wentworth kisses you it’s like being struck by lightning and floating all at the same time.” With a dreamy smile, Tarren sighed, flopped backward and rolled his head toward the ceiling.

Trouble glared at Tarren. “Would you stop?”

“Whaaat?” Raising his hands, Tarren shrugged.

Glaring harder, Trouble growled then returned his attention to Colton. “Forget being held prisoner, and forget…” he cut his gaze toward Tarren, “…Wentworth’s apparent skill. I thought you gave up on Wentworth. What happened?”

“I did give up on him.” Could Colton’s life get any more confusing?

Tarren gasped. “But that’s terrible. He’s the love of your life.”

Resting his elbows on his thighs, Trouble steepled his fingers. “Then why did you kiss him?”

“He kissed me.” And it had stunned Colton so thoroughly he’d frozen. He’d made a complete ninny of himself. Wentworth probably thought he’d never been kissed before. Which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Colton had been kissed at least three times just last season.

You’ve never been kissed like that, you buffoon.

Tarren leaned forward again. “Did he wrap you in his arms and dip you backward? Did he use his tongue? Was it repulsive? How did—?”

Colton and Trouble glowered at him. Tarren’s sunny, fairytale outlook wasn’t helping.

Tarren threw his hands up and let them fall. “Very well. I’ll be quiet.”

Turning his attention back to Colton, Trouble cocked his head. “He actually initiated it? Why?”

“I wish I knew.” Unable to bear the scrutiny, Colton stood. He still couldn’t believe he’d kissed Sebastian Hastings. He reached toward his lips again but caught Trouble’s gaze and dropped his hand. He’d pulled away from Wentworth. And then to make matters worse, he’d immediately regretted it and thrown himself at Wentworth, kissing him back.

Colton paced to the end of the room. Oh who was he jesting? He hadn’t given it much thought, he’d just reacted. He’d waited forever for any intimacy with the viscount, and he’d lost his head. Damn it. He didn’t want to still be in love with the blasted man.

“What happened before he kissed you?”

“He lectured me about leaving the castle.” Colton flicked open the curtains and leaned against the wall next to it. His stupid hands were still trembling. “He was trying to punish me.” Staring out the window, not really seeing anything, he flattened his hands against the glass. “He wanted to scare me and get my attention.”

“Are you sure?” Trouble leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the window. When had he moved?

Colton dropped his hands, turning to face Trouble. Why else would Wentworth suddenly show an interest in Colton? “It’s the only thing that makes sense.” It didn’t help his ego any, but… “It was just a way to show me the dangers awaiting me if I go out without a guard.” He snorted and shook his head. The lesson had been splendidly successful because he would not disobey Wentworth again. That kiss had shown him all too well that he was way out of Wentworth’s league. How did one kiss using their tongue? It certainly wasn’t abhorrent, but was there a proper way?

Frowning, Trouble rested his head against the windowpane. His pale brows drew together as he stared at something below.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t want anything to do with Viscount Wentworth.” Wentworth had not acted out of passion, and Colton was done setting himself up for heartache. And that’s what hurt the most. He shouldn’t still be this affected after the incident. It had shaken his resolve. “If Father doesn’t skewer me with a sword, I’ll count myself lucky to have escaped the king of rakes unscathed and go on with my life.”

Trouble’s eyes widened.

Colton stared at him, daring Trouble to contradict him. Thankfully he didn’t. “Aren’t you supposed to be fencing with Cony or something?”

Groaning, Trouble rolled his forehead against the glass, leaving a smudge. “I’m hiding out. I don’t want to fence with him. He’s driving me crazy. I swear the man is perfect at everything he does and makes sure I know it.” He turned his head, looking Colton right in the eye. “He’s better looking, he’s faster, he’s stronger, he’s—”

“Annoying.” Colton nodded. Trouble was afraid of making a fool of himself in front of Cony. It had become apparent almost immediately how much Trouble respected Cony. “Yes, I know. My sire doesn’t know how to fail. His shoes aren’t going to be easy to fill, but—”

Trouble blanched.

Colton shrugged. “Look on the bright side. When you take over Regelence’s military, you’ll have more experience than Cony did when he first took it over.”

Scrunching up his nose, Trouble blinked. “Huh?”

“It’s one of Cony’s duties as King-Consort, didn’t you know?” Tarren joined them at the window.

Trouble shook his head. “I thought he didn’t work.”

“He doesn’t. Being military advisor is more of a duty than a job,” Tarren said.

The sitting room door opened. “Knock, knock.”

Colton, Trouble and Tarren turned from the window at the same time.

Speaking of military… A sandy-blond head rounded the doorjamb followed by the rest of Dalton Fairfax’s lean frame encased in an IN uniform. “Can I come in?”

“Demon!” Tarren bounded across the room, launching himself at their cousin.

Dalton caught him, pounding him on the back. “’Ello, Terror.”

“Who’s that?” Trouble whispered.

Smiling, Colton grabbed Trouble’s arm and dragged him forward. “Our favorite cousin.”

“I’m your only cousin.” Dalton hugged Colton and gave his attention to Trouble. “You must be Aiden’s stepson.” Dalton shook his head and grinned.

“Jeremy Hawkins.” Trouble extended his hand to shake, but Dalton turned Trouble’s hand palm down and kissed the back of it instead.

“Lord Winstol.”

Trouble groaned. “How’d you know about the blasted title?”

Releasing Trouble’s hand, Dalton laughed. “Oh, you are a scamp. I know because Rexley has written me every week since I went into the IN.”

“Rexley wrote about me?”

“Yes. Among other things, and I’m very happy to finally make your acquaintance.” Dalton’s eyes sparkled with good humor.

Sitting on the edge of the table again, Colton explained, “Rexley has managed Ashbourne for the past two years, so he keeps in constant contact with Dalton.”

Dalton’s mouth dropped open. “You know about that?”

“Everyone knows about that.” Tarren sat down on the sofa.

Trouble tugged at his cravat. “You have a title and an estate too?”

“Yes. As well as being Ravensburg’s heir, I’m also the Earl of Ashbourne.” Dalton tossed his cover on the table beside Colton. “And Rexley would keep in touch with me even if he wasn’t managing Ashbourne.”

Trouble’s eyes widened every time someone mentioned his fiancé. It made Colton feel warm inside. He didn’t understand the relationship because Rexley was Trouble’s complete opposite, but it was endearing. Rexley deserved to have someone adore him.

All ears, Trouble sat next to Tarren and leaned forward.

Colton chuckled. “Rexley and Dalton have always been very close. Probably because they’re the same age.” It was an even odder alliance than Trouble and Rexley. Dalton thrived on being scandalous.

“Wait.” Trouble blinked. “I thought lords didn’t serve in the military.”

“Some do. But Dalton did it to irritate his father. Cony’s brother is a real stuffed shirt,” Tarren said.

Sighing, Dalton shook his head. “I didn’t do it to tweak Ravensburg’s nose. Well, not entirely. I’ve always wanted to be a Regelence Naval officer.”

“Their uniforms are so romantic. In my favorite story, one of the heroes is a Captain in the Regelence Navy. The other hero is the son of a viscount, and they meet on the street corner waiting for a hackney. It starts raining and—”

“When are you going into the Regelence Navy?” Colton asked Dalton.

Tarren kicked Colton in the shin. “I was talking.”

Pain radiated up Colton’s leg. “Ow. You were rambling about fake people as usual.” He rubbed his calf and returned his attention to their cousin. Just wait until Tarren wasn’t expecting it…

Dalton smirked and looked from Tarren to Colton. “After I return from leave. I have two weeks off then I report back to the IN base on Lerdra. A week later I’ll come back to the Regelence Naval base here in Classige and officially become a part of the Regelence Navy.”

“So you’ll be back home soon?” Tarren propped his feet on the table next to Colton’s hip and laced his fingers behind his head.

Dalton nodded. “For a fortnight in which I get to visit my family and hide from Ravensburg.”

Ravensburg was a real bore, but he never came to town before parliament started. “Ah, you haven’t procured a townhouse yet.” Colton shoved Tarren’s feet.

They hit the floor with a thud, and Tarren sat up, glaring.

Dalton put his foot on the table next to Colton and rested his arms across his raised thigh. “No. I want to do that while I’m here, as well as look for a horse. Which is why I came looking for you, cousin.”

“Wish I could have a townhouse of my own.” Trouble pouted and hooked a finger in his cravat, pulling it out from his neck.

Dalton was unmarried and underage by Regelence law—he was only twenty-two years old—but he did what he wanted regardless of the rules of propriety. Ravensburg couldn’t control him, and Cony and Father didn’t try…much. Nate, however, could keep Trouble in line, so he would not be getting a townhouse.

Colton leaned back on his hands and looked up at Dalton. “You cannot have my horse. Sorry.”

Dalton’s grin widened. “I want you to help me pick one. I heard from Gareth Fareweather that Lord Rycroft will have a particularly fetching gelding up for auction at Tattersalls tomorrow. I’d appreciate your opinion.”

How splendid was it that the whole family came to him on matters involving horses? It reaffirmed that he’d made the right career choice.

Colton smiled. “Wait. You know Gareth Fareweather?” Fareweather’s father owned one of the best racing studs in Moreal. Fareweather would be a wonderful source of information, and he knew everyone who was anyone in the racing world. This could be Colton’s in. What if he could gain acceptance before he actually finished building his stables?

“Yes. Why?”

“You’ve got to introduce me to him.”

Dalton’s brow furrowed. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. He’s not the sort you should be acquainted with.”

Great. Now Dalton decided to have morals? A few months before Dalton joined the navy he had participated in a duel over a tryst with a married man.

“I’m acquainted with you.”

“That’s different. We’re kin. Fareweather is a gambler, and he drinks entirely too much. I cannot in good conscience allow you to be in the company of a man of his ilk.”

A smile tugged at Tarren’s lips. “You could always teach us about men of that ilk.”

Trouble waggled his eyebrows. “I’m in. I love learning about men of that ilk. The Lady Anna was full of them.”

Dalton groaned. “No. All three of you need to stay away from men like that.” He pointed at Trouble. “Not only would Rexley throttle me, but you’ve no need of the information because Rexley is most definitely not a rake.” He gave Colton and Tarren a pointed look. “Uncle Raleigh and Uncle Steven would disown me.” Dalton bobbed his head for emphasis to show he meant business.

Colton rolled his eyes at the perfidy of it all. “You’ve a warped sense of ethics, cousin. And if you want my help choosing a mount, you have to introduce me to Fareweather.”

“Nice,” Trouble mumbled. He coughed into his hand but couldn’t disguise the mirth.

Dalton sighed. “I do admire a man willing to blackmail to get what he wants. Why’s this so important to you?”

“I’m going to start a racing stud. I need connections.”

“Very well. I’ll make the introductions at the ball tonight. But—” He straightened and held up a finger. “You must promise me not to be alone with Fareweather or any of his friends.”

Colton did his best to rein in his excitement. “I promise.”

“And you’ll go with me to Tattersalls on the morrow,” Dalton affirmed.

“I will.”

“What if one of us needed to know about rakes?” Tarren smiled sweetly.

Standing, Dalton picked up his cover and looked from one to the other then at Trouble. “How so?”

“If say…” Tarren cut his gaze to Colton and smiled bigger, “…one of us was being pursued by a rakehell, would you give us lessons then?”

Oh grand. Seeing exactly where this was going, Colton glared at his younger brother. Don’t you dare say anything about that stupid kiss. He kicked his sibling in the shin. “Oops. Foot slipped.”

“Dust for brains.” Tarren clutched his leg, pulling it up on to the sofa. “I just wanted to know for research.”

“For what?” Trouble blurted. “Are you planning on being courted by a rogue?”

“Maybe.” Rubbing his leg, Tarren pooched out his bottom lip.

Dalton held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not telling you anything.” To Colton he said, “I’m going with all of you tonight to the Hampton’s ball. Fareweather should be there.” Shaking his head and chuckling, Dalton left the room.

That had worked out splendidly, except… Colton pointed at Tarren. “No telling about the kiss. It’s over, and I want to forget it. It didn’t mean anything.”

“Or what?” Tarren dropped his foot to the floor.

Trouble came to his rescue. “Or he’ll tell you brought another puppy into the house.”

“That’s no fair. I wasn’t going to tell.” Tarren crossed his arms over his chest. “Besides, are you sure he only kissed you to distract you? It doesn’t sound like something he’d do. I read this romance last month where the hero had been pining away for the other hero for years, and one day—wham—he just kissed him, like—”

Groaning, Colton held a hand up. He’d thought they were past this. “Sebastian Hastings is not pining away for me. And romance novels are not real.”

“Yes.” Tarren held up a finger. “But what if…?”

Trouble scooted closer to the edge of the sofa until his knees were touching Colton’s. “I hate to say this, but suppose Tarren is right? Maybe you shouldn’t give up on Wentworth so fast.”

Colton sputtered and clamped his mouth shut. It didn’t matter. Any of it. He had his horses and his plans. If he never had Sebastian Hastings, well, he could live with that. And sooner or later, if he repeated it enough, his heart might start to believe it too.