Part 28 (1/2)
”If you don't mind my impertinence,” Lawrence said a moment later, ”why are you here, Lady Thalia?”
”Because she insisted on coming with me. She was curious to see the inside of a gaol.” Leo crossed his arms and shot her a look. ”If I am not mistaken, her curiosity has been satisfied.” He met her gaze with a wry challenge. ”Unless you would like to go up the street and visit Newgate before we return home?”
Her mouth tightened with annoyance over his teasing, yet she couldn't repress a small shudder at the idea of his suggestion. ”Thank you, no. The accommodations here have been more than illuminating.”
Leo's lips twitched; then he laughed.
Lawrence joined him moments later.
They rolled to a stop in front of Leo and Lawrence's Cavendish Square town house roughly two hours later. Thalia was seated between the twins, the three of them tucked in as snugly as peas in a pod inside Leo's curricle.
In spite of her misgivings, she had accompanied the brothers to their home rather than insisting that they first drop her off at her own town house. She'd known that Lord Lawrence, regardless of his outwardly brave front, was in a great deal of pain. He was bruised and beaten, exhausted and filthy and, more than anything, in need of care and sleep. She and Leo would get his brother inside and make sure he had everything he required for his health and comfort.
Then Leo could drive her home.
Leo sprang down to the pavement first, then reached up to lift her out.
Lawrence waved off any a.s.sistance, climbing somewhat gingerly from the vehicle with a hand clutched against his obviously aching ribs. He looked up at the town house and sighed. ”Thank G.o.d. It's good to be home.”
”Don't thank G.o.d,” Leo told him in an affable voice. ”Thank me, since I'm the one who convinced the sheriff to drop the arrest charges against you.”
”What I did was in self-defense-”
”Which I explained to him in some of my finest lawyerly exposition since taking part in mock trial proceedings.”
”Was that before or after you bribed him?”
Leo shrugged. ”We negotiated a rather generous settlement of cash for freedom. If you'd like, I can take you back, so you can argue the case before the judge. I'm sure it will only take three or four days for you to appear at the dock for trial.”
”No, I'd rather go inside. Thanks, Leo.”
Leo laid a hand on his shoulder. ”Anytime. I know you'd do the same for me.”
”I'd do anything for you. We're brothers.”
”Brothers.”
They shared a smile; then Leo turned and reached out a hand to Thalia. She took it and moved to accompany them into the house.
”Byron,” a voice called, bringing them all to a halt again.
The twins turned at the same instant, the similarity of their movements almost uncanny.
The man strode closer, then stopped and looked at Lawrence. ”Glad to see you made it back in one piece. If you hadn't turned up soon, I would have come looking. Some night, huh?”
”Yes, some night,” Lawrence repeated.
This must be Northcote, Thalia realized, the person he'd mentioned earlier.
Compared with Lawrence, Northcote was barely touched, only a single bluish bruise on his left cheekbone. Otherwise, he was impeccably groomed-clean, well dressed and freshly shaven. He was tall, taller even than the twins by two inches at least, and bluntly attractive in an unconventional way. Yet it was his tawny eyes that were his most arresting feature. They reminded her of the eyes of a hawk, a very clever, very keen hawk who knew how to take care of itself, while it skillfully hunted down its prey.
Northcote exuded a lethal combination of sophistication, s.e.xuality and cunning, and woe betide anyone foolish enough to get in his way. Luckily, he now displayed only friendly concern for Lawrence, his drinking companion and neighbor.
Leave it to Leo and Lawrence to have a predatory raptor living one door down from them. Although, as she well knew, the twins were more than capable of being predatory themselves when it suited their purpose.
Leo was more of a lion, however.
Her lion.
Moving closer, she clasped his hand tighter.
He squeezed hers back.
”Sorry we got split up,” Northcote continued in his rich baritone. ”It was madness after the fight broke out. Are you all right?”
”I've been worse. What about you? You look-”
”Like a man who wasn't just released from gaol an hour ago,” Leo interrupted.
Northcote turned his gaze on Leo. ”I got home two hours ago from Newgate. I didn't realize Lawrence was still in desperate straits or I would have come to his aid. It would appear I owe him an apology for all the trouble.”
Lawrence shook his head. ”Don't worry about it. There's no lasting harm done.”
”I'm having a party Thursday next,” Northcote told Lawrence. ”I hope you will attend. And you, Lord Leopold.” He turned his penetrating gaze on Leo for a moment before it settled on her. He smiled. ”You and your charming companion are welcome as well.”
Leo stiffened. ”Thank you, but no. Lady Thalia and I have other plans.”
Northcote's smile widened as if he was fully aware that she and Leo had no such plans. Then he turned back to Lawrence. ”You look done in and I'm keeping you here on the street talking. Go inside and rest. I shall see you anon. Lord Leopold. Lady Thalia.” With a short bow, he turned and strode toward his own town house.
”Heavens,” Thalia said once Northcote was out of earshot.
”'Heavens' is an understatement.” Leo said.
He scowled after the other man in a way that struck her as being jealous, though he certainly had no reason to be.
He turned to his brother. ”So I suppose you're going to accept that blighter's invitation?”
Lawrence grinned despite his split lip. ”I wouldn't miss it.”
Chapter 24.
Four days later, Thalia awakened to the sound of a cold early-November wind rattling the windowpanes and an overcast sky full of clouds that almost certainly promised rain.
What perfectly miserable weather, she thought. But she supposed it was apt, considering what day it was.
Her birthday.