Garrett Upton did indeed owe Owen a favor. Last autumn during the house party in which Cass and Julian had fallen in love, Upton had bet Owen against a hand of cards that if he won, Owen had to keep his mouth shut and watch his sister pretend to be the fictitious Patience Bunbury for the remainder of the party. Upton, that sharp, had won, and Owen had kept his word despite the myriad misgivings he’d had about the entire ordeal. Cass and her friends were often cooking up plots, and a great deal of trouble had ensued before it all finally ended in Cass and Julian’s betrothal. Regardless, after agreeing to play along with all that, Upton was in Owen’s debt, the blasted hand of cards be damned.
“Monroe,” Upton said the minute the future earl saw Owen walk through the doors at Brooks’s. “Haven’t seen you in days. I heard a rumor that you were escorting young ladies about to balls lately. Tell me that’s not true.”
“I’m afraid I cannot,” Owen replied.
Upton arched a brow. “It’s true?”
“Entirely.”
“That’s surprising.”
“No doubt. But then, that’s why I’ve come. I require your help, Upton. Yours and your wife’s.”
Upton eyed him warily. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
Owen grinned at him. “I’d bet on it against a hand of cards, but something tells me you’d win.”
“Something tells me you’re right. Have a seat.”
Owen settled into a chair next to Upton and leaned toward him to ensure they would not be overheard. “Here’s what I want you to do.”