Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom(57)

“Would someone like to tell me what’s going on?” Dominic asked politely.

Griffin waved him to a seat and fetched him a brandy.

“As bad as all that?” the older man said as he accepted the glass.

“Worse,” Griffin replied.

“I see. Well, you’d better tell me all about it.”

“We had an incident next door,” Griffin started, “while I was out. Justine was involved and was seen.”

He frowned, looking into the fire to avoid Dominic’s searching gaze. Normally, he cared little for what his self-appointed mentor thought of him, but today’s debacle could only be laid at Griffin’s door. Dominic would be furious that he’d put his godchild in danger, and no one could blame him.

But when the silence stretched under an unbearable tension, Griffin forced himself to look up.


Dominic hadn’t moved a muscle, although Griffin thought he detected an element of surprise in the ironical lift of his dark brows.

Griffin stared at him, puzzled. He’d been certain Dominic would lose his temper. He’d only seen that happen a few times and, as inured to strong emotions and even violence as Griffin was, he had no desire to repeat the experience. But instead of flaying him alive with his tongue, the older man merely studied him, as if waiting for a fuller explanation.

“That is a pickle,” he finally said in a mild tone. “Now I understand the urgency of your message.”

Griffin and Justine exchanged a startled glance.

“That’s your response?” Griffin asked, incredulous. “That we’re in a pickle?”

Dominic turned one hand, palm out. “Perhaps you could elaborate so that I may be able to arrive at some conclusions.”

Justine shot Griffin a warning glance, clearly wanting to explain the matter herself. “You see, Uncle Dominic, there was a . . . a commotion next door, while Mr. Steele and Deacon were both out. One of the maids came across looking for help, and there really wasn’t anyone else about but me.”

Griffin rolled his eyes. “That’s bloody ridiculous, Justine. Phelps was out back in the mews. He and Rose could have dealt with it. There was no need for you to go bolting over there like an avenging angel. You put yourself in a great deal of danger by doing so.”

She went all stiff and starchy, and her pale cheeks flooded with pink. “I disagree. Rose needed to remain with the children and keep them safe. Besides, I was the one with the pistol. I was perfectly able to defend myself, and Patience, for that matter.” She finished with a disdainful sniff. “Unlike you or Deacon, who could not be found.”

“I’m glad to hear that you still carry your pistol when you travel, Justine,” Dominic interjected in an approving voice. “It shows a great deal of sense on your part. I’m only sorry that you felt the need to use it.”

Justine directed a warm smile at Dominic, which made Griffin want to hit him. Then she switched her attention back to Griffin, looking smug. He could swear she was on the verge of sticking her tongue out at him.

“Have you both gone completely mad?” Griffin snapped. “She charged over to The Golden Tie, publicly exposing herself to three members of the ton and then threatening to shoot one of them. If I hadn’t come in when I did, we’d probably be breaking her out of Newgate at this very moment.”

“Well, you did come in and nothing happened. So, perhaps we can just get on with it,” Justine said haughtily. “Truly, I think you are making a great deal more out of this situation than is necessary.”

“Are you perfectly sure Justine was recognized?” Dominic asked.