Sebastian glanced at The Morning Times lying on the table. After his failed attempt to stop Ellis and Lady Gabrielle from eloping, he had changed his habits and began scouring the gossip column for any mention of his name. He had even begun purchasing the gossip rags, much to his embarrassment. The tidbits written about him were mean-spirited and often fabrications, such as the last report he’d read in The Informer that claimed he arrived at “Lady L’s” door in the middle of the night naked and babbling nonsense.

Celeste denied any involvement in feeding the story to the paper, and her utter bewilderment had convinced him she knew nothing about it. If he could discover who owned the reviled paper, he would put a stop to the bloody lies. These last few days, however, Sebastian had been too preoccupied to care what was written about him.

“There is mention of Miss Thorne in the newssheet again today,” the earl said. “Very complimentary. Your sister has made quite the splash. Congratulations.”

Sebastian wanted to reject Ellis’s conciliatory gesture, but he couldn’t bring himself to be rude. “Thanks.” He slid the magazine back across the table. “I will purchase a copy on my way home. Eve will be beside herself.”

“Keep it. It’s a gift. Gabby and I wish her the best.”

Politeness was one thing. Sebastian refused to accept the earl’s charity. “Return it to your wife. I can afford a copy for Eve.”

“You know that wasn’t my meaning.” Ellis’s mouth turned down. “What will it take to make things right between us, Thorne?”

More than a bloody magazine. And yet, Sebastian felt more at ease in the other man’s presence today. Perhaps delivering this good news hadn’t been Ellis’s worst idea.

Sebastian shoveled more food in his mouth before he said something ridiculous like perhaps he no longer held a grudge against the earl. The past was less relevant now that Eve was back in Society and turning heads. She would receive an offer of marriage before the Season’s end, and Sebastian could rest easier knowing her future would be secure. Besides, he had more important matters on his mind, such as meeting Lady Prestwick at Finsbury Square in an hour. Still, he wasn’t ready to ease Ellis’s conscience by offering forgiveness.

The earl sighed after a time. “You haven’t been attending the assemblies with your sister. I am surprised.”

“A fool is easily caught off guard.” Sebastian didn’t want to ruin his sister’s prospects by reminding everyone they were related. It was best to keep his distance for now. “Mother and Lady Prestwick are adequate chaperones.”

“I didn’t think you trusted anyone besides yourself when it came to your sister’s well-being.”

Sebastian hunched over his plate and avoided eye contact. He didn’t need anyone reminding him that he should be watching over Eve, but she was better off if he kept his distance. “Could I break my fast in peace now? I’ve never known anyone who nags as you do.”

“I was not nagging.” Ellis pushed back from the table, grumbling under his breath. “This was a waste of time.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Sebastian nodded toward the magazine in the earl’s hand and gentled his tone. “Extend my gratitude to Lady Ellis. It was a thoughtful gesture, sending her messenger boy.”

Ellis’s tense posture eased and he cracked a smile. “Sod off, Thorne.”

Sebastian chuckled under his breath as his longtime rival sauntered from the room. For a moment, it seemed like old times. And it felt good.

His fellow gents were still staring, so he glared in return. With nothing more to see, they resumed their activities. He supposed they missed his and Ellis’s antics, and strangely, he was beginning to miss challenging the earl, and besting him.

When Sebastian left the club, he set off for The Temple of the Muses, where he and Lady Prestwick had been meeting almost daily for the past week under the pretense of browsing for books. Even though he looked forward to seeing her, he dreaded delivering disappointing news again. Her mystery woman, Lavinia, was proving to be as elusive as a ghost.




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