This time, Tia giggled. “With your reputation?”
“I am not the same man I was six months ago,” Braden said in a defensive tone. “I have no wish to return to that lifestyle.”
“It wasn’t all that bad,” Jack muttered.
“I have to agree with Jack,” Adams said. “You didn’t seem all that upset about your lifestyle until after—”
“I just didn’t show it,” Braden interrupted his friend. He had no desire for Tia to learn exactly who had been the impetus for him to change his life. “I could be a good husband.”
“Perhaps,” Adams drawled.
“Yes, but until Jonathon is found, nothing else matters,” Tia spoke up. “And I was told he paid a call on Lady Bunworth last evening.”
“He did what?” Braden asked. “Why didn’t you tell me as soon as you returned from your walk?”
Tia put aside her book and rose. “You had callers.”
“It’s them,” he said, waving his hands at his friends. “They already know that we are looking for my brother.”
“Well, I believe we should pay a call on Lady Bunworth,” Jack said with a grin.
“We cannot all go pounding on her door,” Tia said. “His lordship and I will go. My friend also told me, Jonathon was at White’s last night. So you two, go there.”
“I can’t go to White’s,” Jack replied. “I’m not a member.”
“I am,” Adams said with a shake of his head. “You can enter as my guest.”
“And you,” Tia said, looking over at Braden, “will introduce me as your betrothed.”
“Will I?” he said, cocking an eyebrow at her. “I don’t believe you have accepted my offer.”
“No, I haven’t. But your cousin is not aware of that fact. I am quite certain that she will not accept me into her home under any other circumstances.”
“You are most likely correct on that mark. Very well,” said, holding out his arm to her, “shall we go visit my cousin and set London on its ear?”
“How so?”
“You have just caught a viscount, my dear. The world will never be the same.”
Chapter 17
Tia took Braden’s arm as he helped her out of the carriage. Looking up at Lady Bunworth’s house, a shiver of fear swept across her. She hadn’t thought about the repercussions of being introduced as his betrothed. Her only thought had been to gain entrance into the home. But news of their engagement would spread like fire all over London. What would happen when the truth came out that they weren’t to marry?
“Middleton, please wait,” she said, before they walked up to the house.
“Come along, Miss Featherstone. Do not think of the future, only now.” He forced her forward either deliberately to ignore her concerns or because he didn’t want to be seen skulking in front of his cousin’s home.
“But—”
“Not now. We will discuss this later.” He knocked on the door and they waited in silence.
“My lord,” the butler said with a bow. “Please come in.”
They walked into the home and the butler showed them to a small salon. The house was much smaller than Middleton’s house in town.
“Please tell Lady Bunworth that I am here with my betrothed,” Middleton said.
“I shall see if Lady Bunworth is at home,” the servant said stiffly.