His Lady Midnight Read Free

me,” Ledwin hurried to say, putting his hand on Galen’s shoulder in sympathy. “I should not have reminded you of that.”
    â€œYou did not remind me. The truth is that I cannot forget.” He clasped his hands behind his back, his fingers curling into fists. “If he had died from that fever, his death would have been my fault.”
    Ledwin scowled, the furrows in his forehead looking even deeper in the faint light from the carriage’s lantern. “You have taken on the task of being your brother’s keeper when he does not want you to help him. That is a thankless task, Galen, which may gain you only more trouble.”
    â€œNo matter. The task is mine.”
    â€œYou will never change him from seeking his entertainments in ignoble taphouses as long as you remain in London.”
    â€œThe Season—”
    â€œWill go on without the Townsend brothers.” He chuckled. “Do you worry about Carr missing his entertainments, Galen, or you missing yours? I hear that, although the Season is but a week old, already two lasses are vowing never to marry unless they can claim the title of Lady Townsend.”
    â€œYou should not heed poker-talk.” He put his hand back on the door. “I cannot linger. I must find Carr and get him back home.”
    â€œBerkeley Square is too close to Drury Lane and the other places where he can seek trouble.”
    â€œWhat would you suggest? That I purchase one of the new homes they are building in Regent’s Park?”
    Ledwin sighed. “Too close still, I fear. Why don’t you persuade Carr to spend some time at Thistlewood Cottage?”
    â€œYour country seat in Bath?” Galen laughed and shook his head. “I appreciate your generosity, my friend, but Carr will no more leave London during the Season than—”
    â€œYou would?”
    Again Galen flinched. To own the truth, he enjoyed the Season with its gatherings and its gossip and its flirtations. If Carr enjoyed only that, Galen would have had no worries.
    His brother had sought baser entertainments during the past year, leading him more deeply into trouble that tempted him to more. At first, Galen had thought Carr would come to realize he was choosing the wrong sports, but Carr reveled in them, pursuing them night after night and not returning until long past dawn.
    That was why, when Carr did not come home two weeks ago when the night was exceptionally cold, Galen had not worried. Then, in the morning, a footman had found Carr half dead with the cold on the front steps. Carr had been so altogethery that he had not realized that he was only inches from his own door.
    When the fever struck, nearly killing Carr, Galen had hoped it would persuade his brother to rethink his life. Mayhap it had, because now Carr seemed even more determined to waste his life in high, fast living in low taverns.
    â€œExcuse me, Ledwin,” he said as he stepped back into his carriage. “I must be on my way in hopes of finding Carr in one of his usual places.”
    â€œThey grow in number.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAs does your burden, my friend.”
    â€œIt is my burden, and I must tend to it.”
    Ledwin nodded and closed the carriage door. Folding his arms on the window, he said, “My offer stands for whenever you have need of Thistlewood Cottage. Consider it.”
    â€œI shall.”
    â€œI hope you find him quickly.”
    Galen slapped the side of the carriage as his friend stepped aside. “So do I,” he said under his breath. “So do I.”

Two
    It was taking too long. They had to get this night’s work done and be on their way before anyone took note of what they were doing.
    Phoebe heard shouts and pushed open the door of her carriage. She waved aside her coachman, but Sam clung close to her as she edged toward the wagon that should have been on its way before now. What was causing the delay?
    â€œGo back to the carriage,