Merely the Groom (Free Fellows League 2)

“Would lose it.” Sussex finished Jarrod’s sentence. “Yes,” Jarrod confirmed. “And Colin needed ready cash to give to his mother to pay creditors and support the family.”

Sussex nodded. “I see.”

“But it wasn’t enough,” Griff picked up the conversation. “We suggested he invest some of it, but Colin wouldn’t hear of it until we asked Lord Mayhew to explain how he could use some of Colin’s cash to make more. We set up a meeting, and Colin agreed to go. And before you know it, he’s advising Lord Mayhew and us on investments. We thought it a shame to waste such natural talent, so Lord Mayhew helped us set up a private investment firm where Colin could pursue his Midas touch in anonymity, without fear of having his reputation tainted by the suggestion of his actually working as an investment banker. He invests our money as well as his own, and we pay him commissions. Lord Mayhew kept a minority share of the firm and acts as its head, but Colin makes most of the investment decisions. Unfortunately, this business with the impostor Colin Fox has prevented him from concentrating on his investments as much as he’d like.”

“I know he needs to concentrate on increasing his capital more than ever now that he has the additional burdens of Liana’s coming out and a wife,” Jarrod acknowledged. “He married the girl to protect the League, but I can’t help feeling guilty because he doesn’t even own a home to which to take her. Her father must have provided a generous dowry. But you know Colin and his prickly pride. He’ll never use her money to purchase a house. He’ll want to pay for it himself. I don’t think he can afford it. Unfortunately, we need him to continue his missions.”

“Set your mind at ease on that score, Jarrod, because Colin is going to be fine.” Griff grinned. “Viscountess Grantham isn’t going to be a financial burden. Her dowry is very generous. And I promise you she will have a suitable roof over her head. Baron Davies gave them one as a wedding gift.”

“I can’t believe Grantham accepted it,” Sussex marveled. “It would be hard to refuse Number Twenty-one Park Lane, even for someone with Colin’s prickly Scots pride.” Jarrod thought for a moment. “Number Twenty-one. That’s Lord Herrin’s place.”

“Was Lord Herrin’s place,” Griff corrected. “Now it belongs to Lord and Lady Grantham.” He grinned at his fellow Free Fellows. “I wouldn’t expect word from Pomfrey until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. I feel certain Colin and his new bride decided to

take a look at their wedding gift.”

“There’s one way to be sure.” Jarrod’s grin matched Griff’s.

“We are not paying a call at Twenty-one Park Lane on their wedding night,” Griff protested.

“It is on the way home,” Sussex said thoughtfully.

“And we wouldn’t dream of paying a call,” Jarrod promised. “But there’s no reason we can’t drive by to see if it looks occupied.”

Griff threw up his hands. “Heaven help us if Colin or my wife hear about this.”

Chapter Twenty-one

“The bright day is done, and we are for the dark.”

—William Shakespeare, 1564-1616

Antony and Cleopatra

Lord and Lady Grantham had long departed Number Twenty-one Park Lane by the time the other members of the Free Fellows League drove by. Gillian struggled to keep her eyes open as the coach swayed back and forth along the Post Road out of London toward Bedfordshire and Shepherdston Hall.

“Why not give in to it,” Colin asked gently, “and sleep?”

Gillian said the first thing that came into her head. “It would be rude for me to sleep while you’re awake.”

Colin smiled. “Not if I’m keeping watch.”

“Are you?” she asked.

“I am if you’re going to sleep.”

“And if I don’t sleep?” She smothered a yawn and asked the question just to hear his answer.

“From the looks of it, I would say sleep is a foregone conclusion,” Colin told her. “But if you insist on fighting it, then you keep watch while I slip into the arms of Morpheus.”

Gillian came alert, and her eyes sparkled at the suggestion. “What a novel idea! I’ve never kept watch while someone else slept. Only after—” She broke off in midsentence and covered a yawn with her hand.

“Only after?” he prompted.

“I think I’m sleepy after all.” She evaded Colin’s question. “Would you mind terribly if I closed my eyes for a bit?”

“Not at all,” Colin said. “One of us should try to get some sleep. Go on, close your eyes.”

She did as he suggested, and within minutes Gillian was sound asleep.