Louisa heard Wick groan, but he said nothing.
Did nothing.
As another man led her away from him.
Chapter Twenty
On Monday morning, Wick drove his phaeton to pick Matthew up at his rooms. His brother was waiting on the steps of the building. He resembled Papa, with blond hair and blue eyes, and it irked him to admit that his little brother was four inches taller than him and considered to be the handsomer of the two. Despite being the Duke’s ‘spare’ heir, Matthew was chased by matchmaking mamas even more than Wick was. Probably because he rarely left London.
Climbing into the phaeton, his brother smiled mischievously. ‘I hear that you attended two balls last week—and a presentation at St James’s Court.’
Wick flicked the reins. ‘Yes.’
His brother elbowed him in the side. ‘You went to the marriage mart...on purpose?’
‘I escorted our sister and Lady Louisa to a couple of balls,’ Wick said stiffly. ‘Nothing more.’
‘Did you dance?’
He was not about to give his little brother ammunition with which to tease him. He was almost as bad as his sisters. So Wick played the dunce. ‘Isthatwhat you’re supposed to do at a ball? I am so glad somebody has told me.’
Matthew chortled merrily. ‘If only I had seen you before Saturday. It is said that you didn’t dance even once at Lady Kensington’s ball. Although that might have been awkward for your partner after you’d bloodied your gloves on Lord Barnabas’s face.’
Tightening his hold on the reins, Wick forced himself not to rise to his brother’s baiting. ‘I have been wanting to punch him in the nose since Eton.’
‘Youdidpunch him in the nose at Eton. I was there.’
A reluctant smile formed on his lips. Wick had forgotten that episode, having endured—and fought—several bullies while at school. Lord Barnabas was one of many who had picked a fight with him. If only Wick had broken his nose like he had Sunny’s.
‘I did hear that you danced with several eligible young ladies at Lady Dennard’s ball,’ said Matthew. ‘But none so beautiful as a certain runaway heiress.’
Wick turned the corner quickly, causing his brother to hold on to the side of the phaeton. ‘Say another word and I will flatten your nose next.’
Matthew only laughed.
They arrived at their Grandfather Stubbs’s business premises and a groom took the horse’s reins. Wick and Matthew entered his office. The old man sat behind his desk, his cane leaning against his chair. His white hair obscured his face as he studied the document in front of him. He didn’t look up as they entered. Wick watched his maternal grandfather read for several more minutes before the man glanced up at them.
‘You only visit me when you need something, Wick.’
He flushed, pulling at his collar. ‘That’s not true, Grandfather.’
‘Your grandmother and I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you in two months.’
Wick took off his hat and hung it on the rack. ‘I’ve been busy trying to take care of my little sisters. They cannot seem to stay out of trouble for longer than a day. Not even that.’
‘I hear they are in need of a governessagain.’
He shrugged his shoulders and sighed. ‘It would appear so.’
‘Your Grandmother Stubbs thinks that one of her great-nieces might be of use.’
Wick cleared his throat. Anyone his starchy step-grandmother might select would not approve of his wild sisters, nor their pets. ‘As much as I appreciate Grandmother Stubbs’s offer, Mantheria is already handling it.’
Matthew laughed. ‘Anyone want to lay odds on how long the new governess will last? I’ll give you ten to one that she doesn’t last a full day. Twenty to one she doesn’t last more than three hours.’
Wick gave his brother a blistering glare, which only caused him to laugh harder. Even Grandfather Stubbs guffawed. Wick’s lips quirked up of their own volition.
‘Well, since you’ve brought the girls to London,’ Grandfather Stubbs said, ‘don’t forget to bring them to visit us. I’d like to hear first-hand about their latest mischief. Frederica is the best storyteller of them all.’