Grace Burrowes - Darius: Lord of Pleasures

If one knows precisely where to inquire, one hears you provide favors to a select few ladies in exchange for the next thing to coin.

William Longstreetthe Fourth Viscount Longstreet, no lessdelivered this observation without so much as a quaver to his voice. His veined hands were rock steady, and his tone cordial as he held his glass out to his host. Just a touch more, perhaps? The wind is bitter, even for November.

And Darius Lindsey, veteran of more unnerving moments, stiff beatings, and bad luck than any earls younger son ought to have endured, took his guests glass to the sideboard and filled it with another finger of cognaca scant finger.

Lord Longstreet was known as a shrewd politician, capable of quietly negotiating compromises between embattled factions in the Lords. Hed sent around a note asking to make a call privately, after dark, and Darius had accepted out of curiosity.

A curiosity he was apparently going to regret at length.

Darius crossed his arms and leaned back against the sideboard. Youre repeating rumor, my lord, and slanderous rumor at that. Just what did you come here to say?

Blunt. Lord Longstreets faded brown eyes gleamed with humor. Suppose youve learned to be, and thats all to the good. Excellent libation, by the way, and I notice you arent keeping up, young man. Longstreet raised his glass with gentlemanly bonhomie, while Darius wanted to smash his drink against the hearthstonesnot that he had the coin for even such a small extravagance of temper.

You neednt confirm or deny these rumors, Lord Longstreet went on, shifting a bit in a chair more sturdy and comfortable than elegant. I have no intention of recalling the information or where I came by it once I leave you tonight.

Gracious of you, when youre repeating the kind of insinuations that can get a man called out.

Involving as they do, the honor of several ladies, Longstreet rejoined. If one can call them that.

Darius didnt rise to the bait. Tonight was not a night when he was expected elsewhere in the wee hoursthank a merciful Godand in deference to his guests age, Darius had for once built up the fire to the point where his quarters were cozy. This also resulted in more illumination cast on threadbare carpet, scarred furniture, and a water stain high up on the outside wall.

Ah, good. Longstreets amusement was in evidence again. You dont rile, and you neither gossip nor disparage the women. This comports with your reputation as well.

Darius set his drink aside while foreboding and distastefor himself, his guest, and this topicroiled in his gut. While I am pleased to have your approval for mere gentlemanly reticence, I must ask again if you troubled making my acquaintance only to banter gossip. You are an important man, both politically and socially, while I am the proverbial impoverished second son, making my way as best I can. What errand brings you to my doorstep, my lord?

Longstreet nodded, as if acknowledging that opening arguments were over. Lady Longstreet

No. Darius paced off to the door, wanting to pitch the old man onto the stairs.

I beg your pardon?

I will not be procured for your wifes entertainment, Darius said, or for yours, or yours and hers. Finish your drink if you must, and Ill show you out.

I would far rather you heard me out. Had I any other alternative, Lindsey, believe me I would be pursuing it.

Darius turned his back to his guest and resisted the urge to slam his fist into the wall. Despite what youve heard, my lord, there are limits

You dont swive them, Longstreet said briskly, as if conceding an otherwise unimpressive mount had good quarters and a sane eye. You wont, in fact. Which is why you find me here, because any other manany other young man with a need for coin and the ingenuity to go on as you havewould have taken what was offered and considered it his revenge on the feckless women throwing their money at him.

Darius turned a granite stare on his guest, even knowing the man had the ear of the regent. I find this conversation exceedingly tedious.

Longstreet met that stare. Lindsey, do sit down. Please. I am older than your braying ass of a father, and this is difficult enough without your wounded pride added to the general awkwardness.

Did she put you up to this? Darius took the other chairthe one that rocked slightly, though it wasnt supposed toand didnt touch his drink.

She would never do such a thing. Vivian is a lady in every sense of the word.

Though you are procuring for her. Darius said it flatly, as nastily as he could, for this scheme Lord Longstreet was about to propose, it purely, rottenly stank. For all involved.

I have my reasons, and Vivian understands them.

For the first time, Longstreets patrician features showed a flicker of sentiment. Whatever the mans motivations, there was nothing prurient about them, and his lordship was very determined on his goal.

As best I recall, you have two sons, my lord. What need have you of a gallant for your wife?

Gallant. A euphemism that loomed larger than the stain behind his lordships head.

Aldous died at Waterloo, and his older brother lost his life on the field of honor this fall. Longstreet ran a hand through thinning sandy-gray hair, then stared at his drink.

Im sorry.

God, man, so am I, Longstreet replied, shifting his gaze to stare at the cheery blaze Darius really could not afford. We put it about that Algernon eloped to the Continent, but he lies in the family plot at Longchamps. Some creative tale will be woven when the other fellows family has recovered a bit, for each of the young fools managed to kill his opponent.

Darius pushed aside pityburying two sons merited pityand focused on practicalities, something he was good at. So you seek somebody not only to bed your lady, but also to get her with child? If so, then I am assuredly not your man.

That would be part of the bargain. Longstreets voice did not betray a hint of shame about this proposition. Hear my reasons before you make an old man face that bitter wind.

A ladys honor was to be compromised, but an old man was to be spared the nippy weather. This was what Dariuss life had come to.

Make your words count, my lord. While I am sensible of the dilemma you face, surely there must be cousins or nephews somewhere who can solve the problem by inheritance and spare your lady this unseemly contrivance you contemplate.

There are none. If I die without legitimate male issue, then the entire estate reverts to the Crown.

Spare me from titled old men and their petty conceits. This has happened in many a family, and you will be dead, so what does it matter to you?

Longstreet shifted again in his chair, though Darius suspected that was a seasoned parliamentarians delaying tactic.

Were it simply a question of my needs, young man, youd be absolutely right. However, upon close examination, I find the Crown could make a credible argument that there is virtually no personal estate. My wealth is significant, but the Crowns lawyers will twist matters such that none of that wealth is personal, but rather, all attached to the title. The regent would get everything, and Vivian would be literally a charity case.

Your wife has no dower portion?

None worth the name. I am pained on her behalf to be so honest, but ours was not a romantic match. She needed marrying rather desperately, and I could not abide to see her taken advantage of by those who prey on women in such circumstances. I suppose I needed a bit of marrying too.