Page 48 of The Rogue’s Offer

§ § §

“It’s the truth.” Percy Rockwood barely contained his laughter as he met his friend’s amazed expression. When it was obvious he’d completely hoodwinked the other man, he grinned. “When are you going to learn to always question what I tell you, Charles?”

The Earl of Thornbury scowled at his friend before a good-natured smile lightened his handsome features.

“You’re a master at spinning tales and exploiting the gullibility of people, Percy.” At his friend’s compliment, Percy grinned, but before he could reply, Charles shook his head. “But we both know I’m rarely one of your victims. Your story was believable because the lady in question has a reputation for bawdy bedroom skills, or so I’ve heard.”

“You say that as if you know more than you’re willing to admit. “

“A gentleman never speaks out of turn where a lady is involved.”

“And in this case?

“As I said, a gentleman—”

“Never speaks out of turn.” Percy’s cheerful irreverence made Charles grin broadly as he clapped Percy on the shoulder.

“Come along. I know a bottle of good cognac is waiting for us in the Common Room.”

Percy followed his friend through the club in the direction of the main gathering place for members to discuss politics. The majority of the club’s membership was rooted in the Whig Party before it had transformed itself into the Liberal Unionist Party. As they entered the room with its small conversation areas, a loud, belligerent voice exploded in the air demanding more whiskey.

Charles came to an abrupt halt at the shout, and Percy’s forward momentum sent him crashing into his friend’s back. The force of the impact made Charles stagger forward a few steps before he regained his balance. Without a glance over his shoulder, the earl crossed the floor to where a pair of legs were stretched out in a haphazardly fashion.

“What the devil are you bellowing about?” Charles stood glaring down at Mathias who was sprawled in his chair. His younger brother looked up and narrowed his gaze on Charles.

“I aaked them for another bottle of whiskey.”

“Christ almighty,” Charles’s eyes widened with dismayed surprise. “You’re drunk, little brother.”

“Yerrr, riight, I am.” Mathias raised an empty glass at his brother in a drunken gesture. “Where the devil is my whiskey?”

At his brother’s bellow, Charles directed a look of disbelief and amazement at Percy. Uncertain what to do, Percy shrugged and threw his hands up in the air in a silent gesture of helpless bewilderment. Mathias bellowed for his whiskey again, and Charles jerked his head back to look down at his brother.

“That’s quite enough, Mathias.” Charles tone was harsh and authoritative.

Percy found himself straightening his back at his friend’s command. Mathias met his brother’s gaze then looked away with a grunt.

“Go away, Charles.” The slurred speech made the earl’s lips thin with anger.

“I’m taking you home.” The earl raised his hand as Mathias started to protest. “Not another word. Whatever her name is, she’s not worth this.”

In a flash of movement, Mathias was out of his chair to stand swaying in front of his brother. Percy immediately leaped forward to keep the man from doing something he’d regret in the morning. As he gripped Mathias’s arm, Percy jerked slightly as a small wave of the an dara sealladh swept over him. It lasted only a brief moment, but it was enough to fill his head with an image of Mathias, half dressed, kissing Ophelia with great passion.

As the picture faded from his head, Percy breathed a silent sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted was to be privy to any intimate moments between the man and Ophelia. Percy arched his eyebrow at Mathias who was glaring at his brother over Percy’s shoulder. All too aware of Charles intense displeasure, Percy patted Mathias on the back.

“Come on, old man. Let Charles and me take you home. You can drink in your bedroom if you like and fall asleep there.”

Mathias continued to glare at his brother before his head bobbed in an abrupt jerk. With a drunken lurch, the younger man turned around to grab his coat and the tie he’d removed and flung over the arm of his chair. The moment Mathias bent forward to gather his things, he almost fell.

Hesitant to touch his arm again, Percy looked at his friend and tipped his head at Charles’s brother with a shake of his head. Gray eyes widening slightly, the earl quickly moved to the other side of his younger brother. In an affectionate gesture, he squeezed Mathias’s shoulder and gently took the clothing out of his brother’s hand.

“It will be all right, Mathias.”

At his brother’s words, the younger man stared down at the floor for a long moment, and Percy recognized that look of despair. The man was in love with Ophelia. Sympathetic to the man’s pain, he watched in silence as Mathias staggered forward. Charles immediately grabbed his brother’s arm to keep him from falling, and Percy half expected Mathias to jerk away. To his surprise, Mathias allowed his brother to guide him out of the room and through the building to the front door of the establishment.

“She won’t see me, Charles,” Mathias muttered in a voice filled with pain.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. For the moment, you need to be in bed.”