Drake told Beau firmly, “There will be no claim staking. Let her be.”
Beau said, “Fine. You have one week.” And he walked away.
Seeing him take a seat near the women then lean in and start up a conversation with Miss Lacy tightened Drake’s lips. He asked Raimond, “Can you take him out to sea and drop him over the side?”
“Ten years ago, I asked Mama the same question about all you Brats. She said no.”
“Pity, he’d make fine shark bait. You’d think he’d be content with those two mistresses of his.”
Archer said, “He’s always looking for new candidates for his harem.”
“He should look elsewhere before I smother him in his sleep.”
Both brothers turned his way.
“Just because I’m not staking a claim doesn’t mean I’m not interested.” And admittedly, he was. Very. In spite of his mistress and a few other lovelies he called on from time to time, something about the feistiness inside Valinda’s small frame drew him. He didn’t know any woman with the temerity to cause the ruckus she’d had out front. Any woman not already named LeVeq, that is. Hearing a woman’s voice yelling his name had brought the entire party to a halt, and then to discover who the voice belonged to? He wanted to know more about her.
Sable, holding her sleeping daughter Desiré, walked over and said, “Rai, we should head home and put the children to bed.”
He nodded.
She then turned to Drake. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your lady has an intended. He’s in Paris presently, but will be back in the States, soon.”
Drake felt like he’d been hit in the chest by one of Raimond’s ship anchors and that surprised him. By all accounts, her ties to another should’ve made him shrug and move on, but for unknown reasons, it didn’t.
Archer patted him on the back. “Sorry, brother.”
Rai said, “Maybe he’ll fall overboard on the passage back.”
Amused, Drake raised his glass in toast, but it didn’t numb the disappointment.
“At least she’s safe from Beau’s harem.”
Archer disagreed. “No woman is safe. I told him the next time he has a duel with an angry husband, I’m staying home. Someone else can be his second.”
Drake prided himself on hiding his feelings. It was necessary with so many brothers, but somehow Rai could always see behind the mask. “You’ll survive, Drake. You still have Josie and whoever else you’re dabbling with.”
“That you don’t know who they are proves I’m discreet.”
Archer rolled his eyes. “I’m going to console Raoul. Safe travels home. Good night.”
Julianna beckoned Drake over.
“Yes, Mama?”
“Valinda is going to spend the night with me. Will you drive us home?”
He looked at Valinda sitting next to his mother. He was touched by the weariness in her shoulders and eyes. “Of course, but didn’t you come over with Phillipe?”
“I did. He’s had a bit too much wine, and I don’t want us to end up in a ditch. Valinda’s had enough for one day.”
He agreed and searched the room for his baby brother. “Where’s Phillipe now?”
“He and Beau just departed.”
“Did he drive you here in your carriage? I came in a wagon from the livery. It needs to be returned and Havana’s on a lead tied to the bed.” Havana was his stallion.
She nodded. “Archer will have one of his staff return the wagon in the morning.”