Regency Secrets by Julia Justiss

Author:Julia Justiss [Justiss, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781742789866
Publisher: Mills & Boon Historical
Published: 2009-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

In the late afternoon, after a thorough washing and pleasant dreams of a certain dark-haired lady in a black riding habit, Teagan went looking for his host. He ran him to ground in the back parlor, playing billiards for pound points with several other gentlemen. For a few moments Teagan simply watched, gauging the mood and degree of sobriety of the group so as to decide how best to discreetly obtain the information he sought.

Rafe, as usual, had a half-empty glass of brandy in hand. Markham and Westerley, dissipated younger sons of an earl and a marquess respectively, looked equally live to go. Only the last member of the group, a plainly dressed older gentleman, appeared completely sober.

In fact, as he was normally rather a straight-laced government man, Lord Riverton made an odd addition to Rafe’s assemblage of hard-drinking, high-stakes rowdies. However, as the man had cheerfully lost a considerable sum to him last evening, Teagan was prepared to be affable. “Gentlemen.” Teagan greeted the group. “Ah, Jester.” His host turned spirit-brightened eyes toward him. “Good night you had, eh? Riverton went down by several thousand, and Markham here should have provided you enough to pay off your tailor.”

Teagan gritted his teeth. Suppressing the automatic anger that still flared at his well-bred, well-heeled acquaintances’ mockery, even after ten years of playing this role, he forced himself to make a light reply. “Aye, and it’s a new pair of Hoby’s best boots I intend on winning from him tonight.” “Here, here!” Westerley called as Rafe slapped Markham on the back.

“Before that, I’ve a mind to do some riding. I wondered—” Teagan began.

“Try the red-haired tart,” Rafe interrupted. As the other men hooted, Markham added, “The blond filly’s got a nice tight saddle as well.”

After waiting for the merriment to subside—and noticing Lord Riverton’s curious glance focused on him, Teagan continued. “I appreciate your recommendations, gentlemen, but ‘twas riding of a more equine nature I intended. My black needs exercise.”

“Damme, why won’t you sell that beauty to me?” Markham complained. “Don’t know how you afford him.”

“Why, by winning blunt from obliging gentlemen such as yourself,” Teagan replied.

“For the black I’d pay you more than enough to keep you in booze and strumpets for a year!”

“A tempting prospect.” Teagan assumed a thoughtful pose, as if considering Markham’s offer. “But then, were I to turn Ailainn over to the likes of a rider like you, sure and the stallion would never forgive me.”

While the other gentlemen laughed, Teagan addressed Rafe. “Can I ride in any direction, or have you left a jealous husband hereabouts who’s like to shoot at me if I stray onto his land?”

Rafe grinned. “Jealous husbands are your forte—I stick to doxies. Might want to stay away from the north—Sir Arthur Hardesty’s just the sort of sanctimonious prig to chastise a fellow for trespassing. Not much of a view to the west, but the woods to the east are pretty enough.” His grin widened. “Especially if the widowed Lady Arnold happens to be riding.

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