He paused at the door. “Barbara, do me a favor, please?”
“Anything.” She sauntered toward him, her hips swaying. “You know you may have any favor you like.”
“Not that kind. If I wasn’t clear before, I have no intention on bedding anyone other than my wife. Ever.” Wife. How he loved the sound of that. He pulled on his gloves. “If Aldington returns to you, ensure that he truly wants to engage in a liaison. I would hate for him to do anything he would regret.” He met her gaze. “And that is not a reflection on you. I just know him well enough to believe this behavior is so outside who he is that he may be filled with remorse. In fact, I would strongly advise you move on to another candidate.”
Her lush red lips curved into a soft smile. “You’re a good friend, Toby.”
“I try to be—and I will be to you. Always. Good night, Barbara.”
Tobias wondered how Fiona had found her way downstairs and hoped she hadn’t encountered anyone here on the men’s side. Even though there was an assembly going on next door, many gentlemen were simply at their club, spending their evening in the gaming room or the members’ den. He ought to have discussed that with her before she left.
Hurrying down to the first floor, he didn’t pause to see who might be in the members’ den. He did, however, nearly run into Lucien, who came toward the staircase from that very room.
Lucien glanced up the stairs. “You’re coming down? What were you about on the second floor?”
It was a valid question since the only rooms up there were Lucien’s office, the bedchambers Tobias had mentioned to Fiona, and a storage room. “I was, ah, dallying with my bride-to-be.”
Lucien grinned. “Congratulations. All of your worrying was for naught then.”
Tobias rolled his eyes. “I encountered a most peculiar person up there.”
“Not your betrothed?”
“Your brother. In the company of my former mistress. He had a key to the room we were in. He can have only obtained it in one way.”
“By stealing it from me?”
Tobias narrowed one eye at him. “Is that really what happened?”
“No. I gave it to him.” Lucien exhaled. “It’s my bloody club, Deane. If I want to give my brother access to a bedchamber so he can shag someone, I will.”
“You’re helping him commit adultery?”
“He’s viciously unhappy.”
“Hasn’t he always been? According to you anyway.” Tobias remembered a time or two when Aldington had laughed.
“I will help him do anything if it will remove the stick from his arse, even a small amount. But I am sorry they troubled you.”
“I just think allowing non-members access to the club is problematic.”
Lucien’s eyes grew cold, which didn’t happen often, but when it did, you knew he was angry. “I didn’t invite all of bloody London. He’s my brother.”
“I do wonder if your brother’s disposition might improve if he could find some happiness with his wife. Perhaps you should help him with that. Since you are so fond of—and skilled at—providing assistance.”
“I’ve actually suggested that. It’s not as if Sabrina is awful or a bad wife. I truly don’t understand why they are estranged. But then it’s none of my business according to Con, and he’s right.”
MacNair came up the stairs then and greeted them both with a smile. “Have you had more than enough ball for one night as I have?”
“Not at all,” Tobias said with a smile. “In fact, I am on my way downstairs.”
“Lucien, you should come up to the members’ den with me,” MacNair said, pivoting.
“I should check on the assembly, converse with Mrs. Renshaw, and make sure all is well.”
“You can do that later.” He reached for Lucien’s arm. “Come and have a glass of port with me.”
Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “Is there some reason you don’t want me to go downstairs?”
Tobias was itching to get to the ballroom and see how Fiona was faring. He hoped her absence hadn’t caused a stir. “I’m going then.”
“I’m coming with you.” Lucien started to descend with him.
MacNair let out a groan. “Lucien, your sister is dancing with Wexford.”
Lucien swore and increased his pace down the stairs. Tobias looked up at MacNair. “Why would you tell him that? You know how he is about Lady Cassandra and…any of us.”
“Better he knows what he’s about to see than be surprised.” MacNair inclined his head toward the lower floor. “You’d better ensure he doesn’t do something stupid, such as call Wexford out.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Tobias said with a snort. Still, he followed after Lucien with alacrity. “Wait, Lucien. It’s just a dance.” Tobias caught up to him in the staircase hall, but Lucien didn’t slow.
“That’s all it better be.”
Tobias caught his friend by the arm, pulling him to a stop. “Why are you upset? Wexford is our friend, and he’s only dancing with her.”
“Dancing with someone means something, as you bloody well know, and I wasn’t jesting when I told you all to leave her alone. Don’t forget how well I know you all, and while I might have been able to tolerate her forming an attachment with you or MacNair, Wexford is completely unacceptable.”
“But he’s our friend.”
Lucien’s features darkened. “That doesn’t mean he should be dancing with my sister.” He tugged his arm from Tobias’s grasp and stalked into the ballroom.
Fiona retraced the path she and Tobias had taken from the ballroom. However, instead of going back into the ballroom from the garden, she went to the other door she’d used with Mrs. Renshaw the week before. The beautiful gold and ivory sitting room was being used as a ladies’ retiring room. Once inside, she ducked behind a screen and was grateful to find the space empty. After a short while, she emerged
