A Dash of Scandal(39)

Yes.

Hell no!

“Don’t test me on this, Andrew. I’m in no mood to challenge you over this.”

He chuckled. “I just wanted to know where you stood with her, that’s all.”

The gentlemen stepped outside. Andrew looked to where the drivers and footmen were standing. He pointed to all three of them, signaling for their carriages.

“Who is this Miss Blair you two are talking about?” Fines complained again. “We are supposed to be talking about Lady Lambsbeth, Remember the married lady who almost got Chandler killed last year?”

“Yes, we were talking about her, but, Miss Blair, too. She is the lady who had Chandler’s head spinning the other night. Pretty enough, but no one knows much about her. You know what that always means. He would do well to keep his eyes on someone like Miss Bardwell or Miss Pennington.”

“Miss Bardwell? That cold fish?”

“I’m told that a generous dowry can make a very warm bed,” Andrew said with a sly grin.

“What’s this? We’re now talking about Miss Bardwell? Could we please talk about one lady at a time?”

“Let’s not talk about any lady,” Chandler said, realizing it was past time for him to speak up and stop the bickering. He’d had enough from both of them.

“That’s easy for you to say, Dunraven. Seems you have two ladies after you tonight. I’m only trying to figure out why.”

“You are ready to settle down, Andrew,” Fines said. “Why not admit it?”

“Why not have my boot up your arse?”

“You want a fight?” Fines asked. “Tell me when and where. I’m available starting right now.”

Chandler saw his carriage pull up. This was his chance to escape. “It was really good of you two to get me out of the party so fast, but I’m going home, not to White’s.”

“Don’t be a spoilsport, Dunraven,” Andrew said. “It’s not late and the three of us haven’t been together to talk about the young ladies since the Season started.”

“Let him go. He’s been a bore ever since the raven was stolen,” Fines said.

“There are times you seem to be more worried about the missing raven than I am.”

“It’s been in your family for a hundred years. I’d think you’d feel positively dreadful about having it stolen right from underneath your nose.”

Chandler bristled. He did feel terrible about it.

“Why should I feel so pained about it when you seem to feel wretched enough for the both of us?”

“No, no. You’re all wrong, Fines,” Andrew jumped into the conversation gain. “I think it’s Miss Blair who has him in a snit. He obviously asked her to dance tonight after he nearly knocked her to the floor, and she refused him. It’s put him in a foul temper.”

“Good Lord, Dunraven, why did you knock her to the floor?” Fines asked.

“I didn’t,” Chandler said, holding his teeth together in an attempt to hold on to his anger. “I merely bumped into her.”

“Perhaps the fact that he hasn’t had a mistress for more than a month has made him clumsy.”

“Going that long without a mistress is enough to make a weak man ill-tempered. Damnation, Dunraven, why didn’t you say something?”

“It’s not the sort of thing a man mentions,” Andrew answered for Chandler.

“I’ll see if I can help you find one, Dunraven.”

Chandler held up his hand. “No, thank you. I’m perfectly capable of finding my own mistress when I’m ready. I’m going to bid my farewell for one reason only: I’ve had enough of you for one evening and I’m ready to go home.”

“If you must go, go. Are we still on for the races tomorrow?” Fines asked.

“Not me,” Andrew said, taking a step back. “Count me out. I have other plans.”

Chandler and Fines looked at him.

“Sorry.” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled sheepishly. “I’m taking Miss Pennington for a ride in the park tomorrow afternoon.”

“You cur.” Fines grinned. “You are positively smitten by the beautiful lady, aren’t you?”

Andrew frowned. “Smitten? Good Lord, no! I’m just checking the ladies over more carefully this year. And if you two would look at yourselves in a mirror once in a while you would do the same. In case you haven’t noticed, you’re not getting any younger.”