Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 27

Cedric fingered the stack of cards Ashton had abandoned on the table. "You know, Ash, you are not my favorite friend at the moment."

Ashton chuckled. "You wound me, Cedric."

Cedric huffed and listened to the sounds of feminine chatter. Emily and Horatia were with Anne, all three ladies whispering by the small fire in the hearth. He could hear the logs pop and snap. While the spring was relatively warm, today had been cooler than most.

"What has Ash done to deserve your displeasure?" Jonathan asked, the newest to their League. His blond hair and green eyes, not to mention the familial resemblance to his older brother Godric, made him nothing short of a young Adonis. He was more reserved when out among the ton at social gatherings than the other members of the League. Having lived most of his life as a servant, he was still unsure of himself when it came to the upper class and trying to act as one of their equals. He hadn't been aware that he was Godric's half brother until last September.

"The scoundrel abandoned me at Anne's house. I had no carriage, no servants, no way to get home." Cedric reached out in Ashton's direction. "Let me find your face so I can draw your cork until you bleed."

Ashton chuckled. His chair creaked as he no doubt wanted to avoid Cedric's grasp.

"Jonathan, catch him and hold him still so I can get a decent blow to his jaw," Cedric commanded, but Jonathan merely laughed.

"I wouldn't dare get in the way of your fists. You might miss him and hit me."

"So, villain, why did you leave me?" Cedric asked Ashton more seriously.

"Because I thought you and Anne should have some time alone. I hadn't intended to leave you alone at her house, but when I went down to check on our coach, a runner delivered me a note from one of my business contacts. I assumed Anne would be able to see you home and to Godric's tonight without issue. Was I right?"

"Of course you were. That's what I dislike about you. You are always right. But come now, what was this business matter that sent you flying from Anne's home with such urgency?"

Ashton's voice darkened. "I've been running into stone walls with my usual merchants who buy my shipping services. Today I found out the source of those walls."

"Was it a business competitor?" Jonathan speculated.

"It is always a business competitor with Ashton," Lucien cut in as he, Godric and Charles joined them in the evening room and drew up chairs around the lacquered card table.

"Though normally you are not this affected by the tactics of your competitors," Godric noted thoughtfully.

"Yes, well, that's because up till now all of my competitors have been men. This latest adversary happens to be a lady," Ashton declared with a mixture of irritation and exasperation.

"A woman? I should have known!" Charles sniggered like a schoolboy who'd pulled the best prank he'd ever conceived. "Better not be another banker's daughter. You're becoming too predictable, old man."

"Careful, pup!" Ashton's sharp tone drew the attention of the three ladies, who turned their heads in the direction of the rogues. In response, the rogues dropped their heads and drew in closer to better shield their conversation from the women.

"Who is this most aggravating lady?" Lucien asked. "Do I know her? Have I bedded her?"

"Then seduce the woman. She's a widow, isn't she? Should be easy," Lucien suggested. Suddenly something struck Lucien in the back of the head and glanced off Cedric.

"Who threw that pillow?" Lucien demanded, turning around. "Horatia, behave yourself!"

"Why should I when you clearly aren't?" came her reply down by the fireplace. It was clear she'd been eavesdropping on the entire conversation.

"What was that for?" Godric asked.

Lucien harrumphed before turning back to his friends. "Horatia tends to chuck pillows at me when she's angry. I figure it could be worse, she could throw vases. So I keep the house well stocked with all sorts of soft projectiles to appease her vigilante needs to strike at me at will."

"You deserve it, Lucien," Horatia said over-loudly. "Suggesting seduction like that. How awful!"

"I'm sure I do, darling," Lucien called back over his shoulder. Another pillow smacked soundly into Jonathan.

"Why the devil did you duck, Lucien?" Jonathan muttered. "You're the cad, not I. I'm not up to taking a beating from your wife. You know, Cedric, I do believe I like your other sister better. At least she doesn't throw things whenever she fancies."

"Ha! Jonathan, you've never seen Audrey on days when she can't find the right bonnet," said Cedric. "Good God, the little sprite can tear down an entire house trying to find what she's looking for." The memory brought a smile to his lips. He missed her terribly. Hopefully she and Lucien's mother would return from their trip to the Continent soon.