x_Elizabeth Hoyt The Raven Prince [Prince 01] (2006)

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Simon, Viscount Iddesleigh, didn t rock forward under the hearty back slap he must
have been bracing himself but he did wince. A lean, elegant man, he wore a fashionable
white-powdered wig and laced-edged shirt. To many he no doubt appeared a fop. But
appearances in this case were deceiving.
I ve been known to see the light of day afore noon, Iddesleigh said, although not
often. He kicked a chair out from the table. Sit, man, and partake of that hallowed brew
called coffee. The gods, had they known of it, would ve had no need of nectar on
Olympus.
Edward waved at a boy serving drinks and took the proffered chair. He nodded at the
silent third man sharing the table. Harry. How re you?
Harry Pye was a land steward on an estate somewhere in the north of England. He wasn t
often in London. He must be here on business. In contrast to the flamboyant viscount,
Harry almost blended into the woodwork. He was a man most would hardly notice in his
ordinary brown coat and waistcoat. Edward knew for a fact that he carried a wicked
dagger in his boot.
Harry nodded. My lord. It s good to see you. He didn t smile, but there was an amused
gleam in his green eyes.
God s blood, Harry, how many times have I told you to call me Edward or de Raaf? He
signaled the boy again.
Or Ed or Eddie, Iddesleigh cut in.
Not Eddie. The boy banged a mug down, and Edward took a grateful sip.
Aye, my lord, he heard Harry murmur, but Edward didn t bother replying.
He glanced around the room. The coffee at this house was very good. That was the main
reason the Agrarian Society met here. It certainly wasn t because of the architecture. The
room was crowded, with a too-low ceiling. The short door lintel was known to catch the
taller members a nasty crack on the crown on entering. The tables had probably never
been scrubbed, and the mugs didn t bear a close inspection. And the staff was a shifty lot
who could be selectively hard of hearing when they didn t feel like serving, no matter the
rank of the customer. But the coffee was fresh and strong, and any man was welcome to
the house as long as he had an interest in agriculture. Edward recognized several titled
men sitting at tables, but there were also small landowners up for a day in London and
even working stewards such as Harry. The Agrarians were known for the strange equality
of their club.
And what does bring you to our lovely, if odoriferous, capital? Iddesleigh asked.
Negotiating a marital alliance, Edward replied.
Harry Pye s eyes sharpened over the rim of his mug. His hand was wrapped around the
cup. There was a disconcerting space where his ring finger should have been but wasn t.
Oh, braver man than I, Iddesleigh said. You must have been celebrating the
impending nuptials when I saw you last night at the fair Aphrodite s Grotto.
You were there? Edward felt oddly reticent. I didn t see you.
No. Iddesleigh smirked. You looked quite, ah, relaxed when I saw you exit that
establishment. I, myself, was engaged at the time with two eager nymphs, or I would
have greeted you.
Only two? Harry asked, deadpan.
We were joined later by a third. Iddesleigh s icy gray eyes sparkled almost innocently.
But I hesitated to admit the fact for fear it would cause you two to doubt your manhood
by comparison.
Harry snorted.
Edward grinned and caught the boy s eye. He held up a finger for another mug. Good
God. Aren t you getting a trifle long in the tooth for such athletics?
The viscount placed a lace-draped hand on his breast. I assure you, on the honor of my
dead and moldering forefathers, that all three wenches were wearing smiles when I left
them.
Probably because of the gold they were clutching, Edward said.
You offend me deeply, the viscount said as he smothered a yawn. Besides, you
yourself must ve engaged in debauchery of one sort or another at the goddess s domain.
Admit it.
True. Edward frowned at his mug. But I won t be for very much longer.
The viscount looked up from inspecting the silver embroidery on his coat. Never say
you intend to be a chaste bridegroom?
I see no other option.
Iddesleigh s eyebrows arched. Isn t that a rather literal not to mention archaic
interpretation of the bridal vows?
Perhaps. But I think it will make for a successful marriage. Edward felt his jaw clench.
I want it to work this time. I need an heir.
I wish you luck, then, my friend, Iddesleigh said quietly. You must have chosen your
lady carefully.
I did indeed. Edward stared into his half-empty mug. She is from an impeccable
family; it goes back further than mine. She isn t repulsed by my scars; I know because I
asked her myself something I omitted to do with my first wife. She s intelligent and
quiet. She s handsome, but not beautiful. And she comes from a large family. God
willing, she should be able to give me strong sons. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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