“It’s not your house,” Blake said. “It’s your father’s house, and I suggest you skedaddle or I might wake him up and blab some of your secrets.”
Gregory paled and rushed for the door. When he reached it though, he stopped and peered back. “Ah. . . Ralston?”
Caleb didn’t bother to turn around. “What?”
“I hate to mention this, but you have to leave tomorrow. My father has requested it. He thinks you’re a bad influence.”
“You just wagered away your fiancée’s virginity, but I am the bad influence?”
“No hard feelings, hm?”
“Get out of my sight!” Caleb seethed, and Blake lunged toward Gregory as if he’d attack him.
Gregory dashed away like a frightened rabbit. Caleb and Blake listened as he vanished down the hall, then Blake refilled their glasses and eased into the chair Gregory had vacated. They sipped their liquor, being a tad startled by what had occurred.
“What a weaselly little prick,” Blake said.
“That’s the nicest description that can be used on him.”
“I can’t believe he’d imperil Miss Grey like that. Will you tell her about it? She probably ought to be apprised.”
“I can’t imagine having that discussion with her. I’d likely die of embarrassment. I’ll warn her to be careful with him, but she’s already figured that out.”
“She’s not safe with him. Neither is his sister Janet. Should you talk to his father? He might be able to put his foot down.”
“It’s another discussion I can’t imagine having. The better route might be to demand payment on my promissory notes and have him arrested. If he was in jail, he couldn’t harm them.”
“Until he was released.”
“He should be ruined forever. I have several options that will accomplish it, and I need to settle on the quickest, most ruthless one.”
“My dearest brother, Caleb,” Blake facetiously said, “you told him you’d give him a year to come up with the money.”
“I lied.”
“Like the sinner you are!”
“We didn’t write down the terms, and you were the only witness.”
“And I’ve suddenly grown deaf.” Blake snorted with amusement. “You’ve been escalating your games with him, hoping you’d wind up owning Grey’s Corner, and the property doesn’t even belong to him. The trust fund either.”
“It serves me right for being so greedy,” Caleb said.
“Will you depart as Samson Grey has requested?”
“I can hardly stay when I’ve been kicked out, and we are departing. We’ll return to London and let Sybil pamper us. It’s how we should have spent your furlough anyway.”
“You’ve been kicked out, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I have been too. I think I’ll tarry for a bit.”
“I don’t think you will. Why would you consider it?”
“I’ve been flirting with Janet Grey.”
“Well, stop it.”
Caleb glowered at his brother, but Blake smirked. “I don’t want to stop. I’m having too much fun.”
“Why would Janet Grey participate in a dalliance with you? Doesn’t she hate all men?”
“I’m changing her mind.”
“You are not. You’re working to lift her skirt. At least be honest about it.”
“It might end up being a benefit.”
Caleb was aggravated and alarmed by Blake’s flippant attitude. “I could have sworn—after I saved your sorry hide from a swift court martial—that you promised you were finished being reckless.”
“I’ve been innocent as a choirboy.”
“If you keep telling such whopping falsehoods, you’ll be struck by lightning.”
“Besides,” Blake said, “that nonsense with the navy involved commerce to help my chums. This is romance. It’s entirely different.”
“Oh, Lord, spare me. . .”
Caleb glared at his brother, but his stern expression had no effect. Blake would act however he pleased. They were lucky some angry father hadn’t already dragged him to the altar.
“I can’t have you stirring a pot with Janet Grey,” Caleb said. “After we leave in the morning, we shouldn’t have any further dealings with any of them.”
“What about Caroline Grey’s wedding night? If I remember correctly, she has to supply you with thirty nights of unending debauchery.”
Caleb’s blood boiled. “If you ever mention that ridiculous wager again, I will gut you like a fish.”
“I notice you jumped at the bet plenty quick when Gregory offered her.”
“I did it to protect her from him. I was afraid—if I didn’t accept—he’d rush to town and hand her over to some other cretin.”
“If she ever learns about your grand gesture, do you suppose she’ll be grateful?”
“We’re never telling her.” Caleb’s tone was scolding. “It may take some shrewd plotting, but I’ll yank Gregory out of her life.”
“We could sell him into the Merchant Marines. A dissolute ship’s captain could make off with him, and he’d never be seen in England again.”
“It’s definitely a thought.”
“I could still kill him,” Blake said.
“No.” Caleb chuckled. “You’d like it too much.”
“You could be right.”
Caleb stood, and he motioned for Blake to stand too, but he didn’t.
“It’s late,” Caleb said, “and we should get some sleep. I want to be riding down the road by nine.”
“May we eat breakfast first? Since Samson Grey has evicted us, I’d like to gorge on some of his food before we slink away.”
“We can have breakfast, but we’re not dawdling.”
“I have to say goodbye to Janet.”
“Where would this goodbye occur? In her bedchamber?”
Blake grinned a cocky grin. “Maybe.”
“Absolutely not! You are not to sneak in there. I’m serious about this. Stay away from her.”
“I will—immediately after I bid her farewell.”
“If you provoke a scandal with her, Gregory Grey won’t be the only man facing death in this house.”
“You would never murder me,” Blake said. “If I passed away, you’d be all alone in the world, and I’m your favorite person.”
“Your luster is fading.”
Blake finally stood too. They headed out together, went to the front foyer, and climbed the stairs, but when Caleb wasn’t paying attention, Blake vanished down a dark hall. Caleb wasn’t about to call out or chase after him. Everyone was in bed, and he wouldn’t cause a ruckus.
He loafed on the landing, listening as the silence settled in. Suddenly, he realized he was very lonely. He couldn’t imagine fleeing Grey’s Corner without talking to Caro one last time. He wouldn’t ever confide about the bet, but he’d like
