Free Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One by Abigail Graves

rights to charge it to the earldom.
In fact, it would please me if you did so."
                As he let his eyes sink into generous cleavage,
Gilles realistically admitted to himself that he might be responsible for the
destruction of several of her garments and thus required to replace them. His
conscience would be soothed if he wasn't wasting her money.

Chapter 8
     
                Meanwhile, in London, Lucien Haviland, The
Eighth Duke of Clerendon and Sir Alastair Spencer alighted from separate
coaches simultaneously in front of Spencer Place.
                Alastair nodded in greeting.
                "It's been a long time, Alastair!"
Lucien teased as he slapped him on the back.
                "We were just at White's this
afternoon." Alastair mumbled as he checked his watch.     
                "Indeed! Which makes this that much more of
a pleasure." Lucien gestured towards the door as it opened.
                Bennings opened the door and bowed. He'd been
butler at Spencer Place before either had been born and had survived their
pranks and wildness. Both handed him their outerwear. Alastair gripped his
upper arm warmly and Lucien pulled him into a friendly half embrace before they
continued down the hall.
                "Young rascals." Muttered the old man
with fondness as he hung up their coats.
                Approaching the sitting room, Lucien stopped
Alastair.
                "What's this about? You know I don't like
surprises."
                "I know as much as you do, I'm
afraid." Which wasn't an understatement. Alastair thrived on information
the way others thrived on food for nourishment. In fact, during the height of
the war, he would forgo food for days because he believed a full stomach made
his brain sluggish.
                "I had planned to attend a party in
Richmond before I received your mother's summons."           
                "Dinner at Spencer Place. Mandatory."
Alastair recited.
                "Exactly." Lucien grimaced as they
walked through the parlor doors and located their partners for the evening,
heads together whispering. "It must be Gilles, I hope he's not in too much
trouble."
                Alastair nodded and cleared his throat. Both
ladies rose and rushed towards them.
                Mirabelle was the first to speak.
                "Good, you're both here. We received a
letter from Gilles, it's most curious."
                Maman thrust a letter towards them. Alastair
took it while Lucien greeted the ladies.
                "You look lovely as always, Celine."
He bowed over her hand.
                He leaned towards Mirabelle and kissed the top
of her head.
                Alastair noticed that she rolled her eyes.
                "Miss Mirabelle, you're a vision."
Lucien offered as he moved closer to Alastair in order to read the letter over
his shoulder.
                Both read:
               
    Maman,
    Longwood is better than I had hoped. I plan to stay
indefinitely. I find myself in desperate need of a chaperone and beg you to
come at your earliest convenience. I hope that Mirabelle, Alastair and Lucien
will join us for as long as they desire. Please extend my invitation to
Madeline as well. I miss you all more than I expected.
                Yours,
                   Gilles
     
                Lucien looked up to find two sets of eyes
staring at them expectantly. He turned to Alastair, hoping he'd divined more
than the obvious from the brief letter. He wasn't disappointed.
                Alastair's pupils flickered quickly back and
forth over the words for a few seconds more before he looked up. All three
leaned in, suspense holding them all taught.
                "He's planning to marry soon."
Alastair stated