The Earl's Secret. Terri Brisbin

He’d risen to the insults and issued his own.

      “Communicate with Mr. Goodfellow through whatever means you employ to do so and let your ghostly contributor know that Lord Treybourne agrees.”

      Part of him tensed inside, readily acknowledging the stretching of the truth in his words. There would be time to explain that his essay had already been submitted and in print before this discussion. He admitted in that moment that he would have to allow one more contentious exchange before they stopped.

      “So, do you return to London now?” Nate asked. The unasked but clearly heard rest of the question was before anyone realizes you are here under an assumed name.

      David’s efforts at remaining undetected and unrecognized had been a success, but the longer he stayed and the more he went about in public, the more the chance that he would be exposed. Still, there was nothing ignoble about discreetly searching out one’s foe to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Truly not.

      “Actually, Ellerton is waiting for my arrival at our hunting box. I had thought a short holiday would be in order since there is time before Parliament is called to session in October.”

      “You still run with the same crowd then?” Nate smiled, obviously contemplating some of their more adventurous escapades at the university. “Ellerton and Hillgrove?”

      “The same, although we behave in a much more circumspect manner now that we are older and wiser.” David laughed now. It had only been seven years since their last meeting, not a lifetime, and yet he’d changed so much he knew Nate would be shocked at the extent of it. “Perhaps we are simply older.”

      “And none of you have fallen into the parson’s mousetrap?” Nate asked. The frown that had lived on his forehead disappeared as their topic turned to something more pleasant.

      “The pressure is growing, but none of us have tossed the handkerchief yet. And it would appear that you have not? How does your father abide you remaining in the bachelor status?”

      “I confess that there is someone, but the lady shows no sign of accepting my offer.”

      The frown was back and David suspected that the expression on Nathaniel’s face bespoke of his own surprise that he had admitted to such. David held his tongue and did not ask, for he was certain that Miss Fairchild was the object of Nate’s affection and intentions. His own surprise was that she would have turned Nate down, for his title and properties alone made him a marriage target. However, knowing almost nothing about her other than her profession and that a connection existed between her and his friend, he hesitated to guess at the reasons.

      At that moment, Harley knocked and announced that their meal was ready. It was a welcomed respite for David, for he did not comprehend what to say or how or if he should reveal his plans for the following morning and his visit to the castle with Miss Fairchild. It was a simple sightseeing excursion; one that would be appropriately chaperoned so no question of propriety could be raised.

      As the flavor-filled aroma of food drew them into the dining room, David decided that in a matter such as this one, it would be better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. Ever a careful fellow, he also decided to wait and determine if he needed to do either after his morning with the lovely Miss Fairchild.