Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride (Scandalous Seasons #1)(63)

Drake tortured himself with images of her married to Waxham. Waxham lifting up her skirts, pleasuring her, rutting between her thighs—giving her children. He choked on the sip of whiskey that had been sliding down his throat, nearly gagging on it.

“You look like hell.”

Drake didn’t glance up. “I’m not looking for company, Sin.”

Sin waved off the majordomo who hurried over. “Ah-yes, I assumed as much based on your wager in the books.” He hooked his boot around the leg of the chair and tugged it out. “Really, Drake? A wager on which gentlemen would be foolish enough to seek out your company? I took the liberty of having that bet crossed out.”

Drake didn’t give a damn about the wager he’d put in the books. All he cared about was getting inebriated and tamping down images of Emmaline folded in Waxham’s embrace. Emmaline laughing up at the paragon. Emmaline…

Sin snatched the paper from between his tightly clenched fingers. “Ahh, so this is about the lady.”

Drake placed his hands on the tabletop and leaned forward, seething. “By the love of God, if you mention her name I will bloody your face.”

Sin threw back his head and laughed. “I swear, if I didn’t know you since we were mere boys that might alarm me.”

How wonderful that Sin could find amusement when Drake was so bloody miserable. “What do you want?”

Sin’s smile slipped. He made it a point of tugging his chair directly in front of Drake, effectively blocking him from the voyeurs present. “I want to know you are all right.”

“Why, I couldn’t be better.”

His friend cursed beneath his breath. “Enough with the sarcasm. This is me, Drake.”

Drake dragged a hand over his eyes. . “What would you have me say? Would you have me lay myself bare before all of Society? It is bad enough having to deal with my father’s recriminations.”

“Is that why you’ve taken up here for the past two nights?”

Drake slashed the air with his hand. “Is everything I do known by all?”

Sin shrugged. “At this moment, you are unfortunately the tons favorite source of gossip.”

Drake threw back the remaining contents in his glass. “To hell with them all.”

A frown marred Sin’s usually affable countenance. “Nonetheless, you can’t go around frightening young pups that have the misfortune of coming near you. It’s hardly their fault you drove Emmaline away.”

That was the rub of it. He was the maker of his own misery.

“I thought you might prefer the termination of the arrangement,” Sin said with quiet honesty.

Drake stared hard at the tabletop. “Damn it to hell, I miss her.”

His friend quirked one brow. “Well, that is quite a revelation to come to at this late point."

“Of late, I’ve come to a whole host of revelations.”

Sin leaned forward. “Oh, I’m all ears.”

Drake picked up his empty glass and rolled it between his fingers, studying the remaining drops glistening at the bottom of the tumbler and said nothing.

“When you are ready, then.”

Sin was a good friend. Just one more person Drake didn’t deserve. “If it is all the same to you, I’d like to get myself soused and you’re hindering my best attempts.”

Holding a hand up, Sin motioned for a waiter. “Another glass and another bottle of your best whiskey.”

The uniform-clad servant hurried off, and promptly returned with the requested items.

Sin picked up Drake’s bottle and poured two more stiff glasses of whiskey. He raised a tumbler in mock salute. “If you are determined to drink yourself senseless, then as a friend, I must insist on joining you.”

***

“For the love of God man, you’re heavy,” Sin muttered breathless from the weight of his exertions. He helped guide Drake to the above-floor suites. Drake had flung his arm across Sin’s shoulders. “I must admit I am thrilled you’ve rented rooms here. I don’t think I could have managed carrying you to the duke’s townhouse.”

“Th-that’s anufer thing,” Drake slurred. “II’m faaaar too old to still reside with my father.”

Sin nodded to a gentlemen they passed in the hallway. “That is something easily resolved,” he said helpfully.

Drake paused, and forced Sin to a stop. “You know what is naht so easily resolved?”

“What is—”

“Ehh-mmaline. I rather made a mess of thaat situation.”

Sin looked at him with a sobering expression. “With a bit of effort, that too can be resolved.”

Drake’s gut clenched and he swayed on his feet. “Do you truly believe that?” He felt hopeful for the first time in four days. Wait? Had it been four days? It seemed longer. He fished around his jacket pocket, searching for his watch fob. Pulling it out, he consulted the piece. The numbers blurred before his eyes. “It doesn’t have the days?”

Confusion flitted over his friend’s face. “Let’s get you to your room.”

He allowed Sin to lead him along. “I-I saay, you seem faaaar too sober.”

Sin snorted. “That is because I didn’t drink an entire bottle, my friend. Here we are.” Sin fished around for the key Drake had handed him downstairs, then opening the door, led Drake inside the quarters. The space was large enough to serve its purpose; a temporary escape for gentlemen in dire need of temporary quarters.