Somewhere I'll Find You (Capital Theatre #1)(75)

“Taking your exercise?” William commented, noting the ruddy touch of color in his brother's cheeks and the crisp scent of leaves and autumn air that still clung to him. “Don't tell me you've exhausted all other possibilities for a fine afternoon in Bath. If nothing else you could find some fairly attractive old maid to dally with—the city is full of them. They're quite underrated, old maids. I find that an abundance of gratitude and willingness makes up for a lack of beauty—”

“Spare me your theories on women,” Damon said wryly, pouring himself a drink and sitting in a heavy leather armchair.

William sat up and regarded him amiably. “How is your wife, dear brother?”

“Julia's fine, as far as I know.” Damon paused and added curtly, “She's left Bath.”

“Oh?” William's head tilted to the side, in the manner of an intrigued parrot. “When will she return?”

“Tuesday, most likely. She didn't tell me.”

Regarding his brother's grim expression, William suddenly burst out in irrepressible chuckles. “My God,” he gasped. “I find it ironic that with the scores of women angling for you, and Lady Ashton's pursuit, all Julia seems to want is to escape you.”

“Go on and laugh,” Damon said, a reluctant smile intruding on his scowl. “Someday she'll see my charms in a new light.”

William continued to snicker like a schoolboy on holiday. “Knowing you, I can guess what the problem is. Let me give you some advice, brother—”

“I'd rather you didn't,” Damon said, but William continued.

“Women don't look for honesty in a man. They want to be charmed, deceived, seduced…and above all, they don't want to be certain of a fellow. Women like to play games. And before you give me that superior look, reflect on the fact that I've always gotten every woman I made a play for.”

Damon smiled sardonically. “Barmaids and actresses are easy conquests, Will.”

William dropped his boastful facade, looking vaguely offended. “Well, it shouldn't be difficult for you to make a conquest of Julia. Being married to her ought to give you some advantage over the competition!”

Damon watched his brother steadily. As entertaining as William seemed to find the conversation, there was a barely discernible thread of tension in his expression. He knew his brother well enough to be aware that something was on his mind. Abruptly he changed the subject.

“Why have you come to Bath, Will?”

“To see My Lady Deception, of course. I can't stand not knowing the end of a story.” William produced a lopsided grin, which faded quickly. A spasm of cringing discomfort crossed his face. “And…there's something else.”

“I thought so,” Damon said dryly. “Are you in trouble again?”

“Not really. The truth is…you're the one in trouble, and I seem to be caught up in it.”

“Explain.”

William winced and downed a healthy portion of his drink. “Pauline came to see me in London at my private apartments,” he said bluntly. “She said she wanted to become better acquainted with me, as we would be related soon. She said there was no reason we couldn't become ‘friends’ and support each other as brother and sister do.”

“What kind of ‘support’ did she want?”

“She didn't say exactly, but…considering the gown she was wearing, and the way she kept touching me, I think she was trying to seduce me! I swear I did nothing to encourage her, Damon, I would never encroach on your territory. For God's sake, we're brothers—”

“It's all right,” Damon interrupted calmly. “Tell me what else Pauline said.”

“She flattered me like hell, and said that she and I had a lot in common, and that I might be interested in discovering just how much. I pretended not to understand, of course, and did my best to shove her out as soon as possible…but not before she said that she was lonely when you were away from London, and she hoped she could call on me for help if it was ever necessary.”

Damon considered the situation and let out a long breath as relief washed over him. “Interesting,” he murmured. William's information was the confirmation of his greatest hopes. Now there was no doubt in his mind: Pauline was not pregnant. The only surprise was that she would sink low enough to try to seduce his own brother. It made sense, however. If Pauline could succeed in conceiving a child by William, the family resemblance would be incontrovertible…and as one of the guilty parties, William would never want to reveal the nasty little secret that his brother's heir was actually his own bastard.

“You're not angry?” William asked, seeming vastly relieved.

“Far from it.” Damon lifted his glass in a toast to his brother, and a smile flashed across his face. “Thank you, Will.”

“For what?”

“For coming to me with this so quickly. And for your self-restraint. I'm sure many men would have found Pauline's offer too tempting to refuse.”

“Please,” William said indignantly. “Even I have standards.”

“Sometimes,” Damon reflected aloud, “I actually think there's hope for you.”

“Does this mean I've repaid you for the Sybill Wyvill affair?”