Beatrice nodded, feeling her lips tingle as she watched him walk to the door. As he left her alone, she was caught between feeling proud of her accomplishment and feeling confused as to why her body felt so very strange. It left her wondering—did all kisses make a woman feel this way? Or was it the man she shared those kisses with?
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Algernon!” Henry roared.
Algernon scanned the crowded seating room in White’s and smirked as he saw his little brother. It only took one look to see that Henry had not waited for him to start drinking. His little brother had a lopsided grin and dazed eyes as he lifted his cup with one hand and waved Algernon over with another.
“Started without me I see,” Algernon mused as he reached Henry.
“Just a cup or two,” Henry said, slurring slightly as Algernon moved him back into his seat. “Here! I already ordered yours. Catch up, big brother!”
“Well, it is a relief that you are no longer angry with me,” Algernon retorted, taking the seat beside his brother.
Henry giggled as he picked up the tall glass of ale and pushed it into Algernon’s hands; its contents sloshed over the side as he used a little too much force.
“You know me,” Henry said with a dramatic sigh as he leaned back into his cushioned armchair. “I cannot stay mad at you for long.”
As Algernon took a long gulp of the ale, finishing half the glass in one pull, Henry looked over at him with affection.
“You are my big brother after all. It is your duty to look after me.”
Algernon sat his glass down and leaned over the arm of his chair as he folded his hands together.
“I am glad you understand that, brother,” Algernon stated, his tone serious. “That is indeed what I am here for.”
“Though you do understand, Auggie, that youaremore meddlesome than most,” Henry retorted, looking at him with a raised brow.
Algernon could not tell if his brother was actually irritated or was just trying to pretend to be as such. Either way, he was going to persist.
“Even if I am, it is only out of your best interest. I want your life to be good, Henry,” Algernon stated.
Henry clucked his tongue as he waved a hand around the crowded gentleman’s club. Algernon did not miss how Henry winked at one point as he did so, but he did not say anything.
“Take a look around, Auggie,” Henry insisted. “Lifeisgood. We are noblemen. We are rich. We are unattached. We can have anything we want!”
“Almostanything we want,” Algernon corrected.
Henry rolled his eyes then looked up at Algernon through his lashes as he slumped lower in his chair. Now there was no confusion. Henrywasirritated with him.
“I do not say this to dull your enjoyment, brother,” Algernon argued, “And you are right. We are men atop the world. Which is why, if you are careful, you may have the ability to have your piece of cake and eat it too.”
“What do you mean?” Henry asked in a bored tone.
“I mean you should take more consideration of Lady Beatrice,” Algernon insisted.
Henry’s eyes narrowed.
“This again?” he asked boredly.
“She is a good woman, Henry,” Algernon pointed out. “Even from the brief time you spent with her, I know you saw how kind and open-minded she is. You need that in a wife.”
Henry slowly drew his eyes toward the crowd of men surrounding them.
“Why do I need a wife at all?” Henry asked. “It is you that must produce an heir, not I.”
“I will take a wife in time,” Algernon promised. “However, I am not the one dancing on the outskirts of scandal. You are, little brother.”
Henry lifted up his empty glass. Right away, a manservant appeared with a silver pitcher to refresh his ale. Algernon reached out and took the glass before the man could even bend over to pour the brew, and he sat it down on the small table between them with a hardthud.