The Willful Widow by Evelyn Richardson

Author:Evelyn Richardson [Richardson, Evelyn]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-02-13T06:55:33+00:00

Chapter 17

But there was a nagging uneasiness that lurked at the back of Justin's mind all the time he was sparring. Even a bout with the champion himself could not distract him entirely from reflections on his nephew's uncharacteristic and puzzling demeanor. Reginald was the very soul of rectitude, to the point of sanctimoniousness. He couldn't help it, such was the destiny of all the Earls of Winterbourne, but it most certainly did appear that he was up to something. An ugly and highly unwelcome suspicion began to form in Justin's mind, and he could not help but have his misgivings as to Lady Diana's whereabouts.

Justin tried unsuccessfully to put the entire episode from his thoughts by returning home to pore over newspapers and correspondence. Finally, flinging down a surprisingly lengthy letter from Charles Stewart, which only made him long for Vienna and the days of the Congress, he sauntered off to Brooks's in search of diversion. He had toyed briefly with the idea of calling on Suzette, but he knew, devoted artist that she was, she would most likely be practicing with her dancing master. Besides, as a woman, she was bound to remind him of Lady Diana, which was counter to the whole purpose of his visit to Brooks's.

"Justin," a jovial voice called out the moment he entered the gaming room.

162

The Willful Widow

by Evelyn Richardson

"Hello Sally," he greeted Lord Humphrey Salcombe who was lingering by the faro table relishing the deep play of other more hardy or foolhardy souls than himself.

"Haven't seen you this age, old fellow. Been rusticating?" Sally cocked a waggish eyebrow.

"Rusticating? Justin? You're all about in the head," the Honorable Nigel Clutterbuck scoffed. "He's been lying low with a particularly lovely ladybird, eh, Justin?" He winked lasciviously before returning to the game in front of him. Leave it to St. Clair to win the most delicious woman to appear onstage for many a Season. It was positively and most certainly unfair the way beautiful women seemed to fall at his feet. There was no denying the charm of his clever wit, the glint of humor deep in the gray eyes that missed nothing, the lazy smile, and the languid grace, but there were plenty of well-enough-looking fellows on the town, many of whom had far more to offer in terms of wealth and title.

"If that's what they're saying in the clubs, then it must be so, eh, Nigel?" If anything, Justin appeared to be bored to the extreme by a subject that had everyone else at the table agog to hear the latest detail.

Nigel shook his head smiling. He was a cool customer was Justin St. Clair, casually dismissing his conquest of La Charenton as though all of the male population in London hadn't been courting her for months with singular lack of success. St. Clair merely had to appear on the scene, and she was his. Life was certainly inequitable at times. Justin strolled around the room looking for play deep enough and opponents

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.