“The house cheated; the wheel was fixed.”
“No doubt you’re right.”
“I know better than to go back there now.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem, since I daresay they won’t let you in anymore.”
His brother-in-law shrugged in a semblance of nonchalance.
James went on, “More worrisome, of course, are your notes to Cuddington and Lord Welborne. Not paying your gentlemanly debts will turn everyone against you—but you are already aware of that, aren’t you?”
“What is your point?” Salstone flushed with anger.
“Just this, Archie: I am prepared to pay off your debts.”
Archie’s eyes widened. “I—I say, de Vere, that’s damned decent of you.”
“There are conditions.”
“I might have known,” Archie said with some bitterness.
“First, you will give up your women on the side. I refuse to allow you to treat Patricia with so little respect.”
Archie bristled. “Patsy doesn’t know.”
“I know. Half the peerage knows. My mother knows. Do you honestly think Patricia isn’t aware, no matter how much she may pretend otherwise?”
Salstone glared at him, but finally he said grudgingly, “Yes, very well. I agree.”
“All of them, Archie. No mistresses, no prostitutes, no chasing the upstairs maid about. And if you believe I won’t know, think again.”
“You have no right!”
“Just as I have no obligation to pay your debts. If you want one, you take the other.”
“Yes!” Salstone ground out. “Yes, I will give them up.”
“Good. Now, for the rest of it—”
“There’s more? What the devil do you want from me?”
“I want you to be a decent man, or at least as much of one as you can be. You are also to give up gambling. I have a house in York where you and Patsy may live.”
“York! You’re exiling me to York?”
“My first thought was Scotland, but I suspected Patricia might have hysterics.”
“I should think so. Why even bother to clear up my debts if I can’t go back to London?”
“You can go to London if you limit yourself to one month a year. That will give you and Patsy an opportunity to visit without taxing your resolve to abstain from your vices. York is large enough that you and Patricia will have ample entertainment and society. And the two of you will have a home of your own. Patricia can be mistress of her own household. You won’t have to live here or at your father’s. You can be your own man.”
“My own man! To do what?”
“I don’t know, Archie. I suppose you will have to figure that out.”
“But . . . York! Why York?”
“For one thing, because I happen to own a house there.”
“Because it’s far away from you,” Salstone shot back.
“That does add to its appeal,” James agreed. “I have corresponded with your father, and he has agreed to increase your allowance since you will have a household of your own. I will also set up a regular payment from the trust—income only, you understand.”
“And what if I don’t agree to this . . . this . . . prison?”
“A rather luxurious prison. And one which you yourself will have the running of. I cannot force you, obviously. But if you want the income from your father and from Patsy’s trust, if you want a place of your own in which to live, if you want your present debts paid so that you can show your face in London, then you will do this.”
“I haven’t got much choice, have I?” Salstone asked bitterly.
“You have a choice. It’s just that one option is not very agreeable.” James leaned closer. “And, believe me, Archie, if you break trust with me, I will find out. Then you are finished. I will never pay another debt of yours. Your father will cut off your money, and I won’t give you a cent from the trust. You will no longer be welcome in my home.”
“Patsy’s your own sister!”
“Patsy can live here. Not you.”
“You’re a bastard.”
“You aren’t the first to say so. Do you agree or not?”
Salstone stared at him for a long moment, then burst out, “Yes! Yes, damn you, I agree.”
James gave him a short nod and turned away. The waltz had ended, and Laura and Graeme were wending their way toward him. James went to meet them, his dark mood lifting, as it always did, when Laura smiled at him.
“I believe the next dance is mine,” he said, and led her out onto the floor to take her in his arms.
Later in the evening, as the ball began to show signs of winding down, James and Graeme made their way to James’s study to enjoy a glass of brandy. Graeme leaned back with a sigh, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Aunt Tessa’s party was a success, it seems.”