That thought brought the image of the black metal ring to mind. Julian scowled in the darkness of the carriage. He did not like the idea that Sophy had taken to wearing the memento of her sister. Not only was it unattractive, as he had told her, but it was obvious she was using it to remind herself that it was never wise to give one's heart to a man who did not love in return.
Daregate emerged from the card room as Julian walked into his club and took a seat near a bottle of port. There was a glitter of cold amusement in Daregate's eyes when he spotted his friend. One look at his face and Julian knew word of what had happened at Leighton Field had leaked out.
"There you are, Ravenwood." Daregate clapped him on the shoulder and dropped into the nearest chair. "I was worried about you, my friend. Breaking up duels is a dangerous business. Could have gotten yourself shot. Women and pistols don't mix well, you know."
Julian fixed him with a quelling look that had predictably little effect. "How did you hear such nonsense?"
"Ah, so it is true," Daregate observed with satisfaction. "I thought it might be. Your lady is just spirited enough to do it and God knows Featherstone is eccentric enough to meet her."
Julian gave him a steady look. "I asked how you heard of it?"
Daregate poured himself a class of port. "By merest chance, I assure you. Do not worry. It is not common knowledge and will not become so."
"Featherstone?" Julian vowed he would make good on his promise to ruin her if she had, indeed talked.
"No. You may rest assured she is saying nothing. I got it secondhand from my valet who happened to attend a boxing match this afternoon with the man who handles Feather-stone's horses. He told my man he'd had to get Featherstone's rig out before dawn this morning."
"And just how did the groom figure out what was happening?"
"It seems the groom is dallying with one of Featherstone's maids who told him a certain lady of quality had taken exception to one of Featherstone's little blackmail notes. There was no name mentioned, which is why you are safe. Apparently the principals in this little matter all have some sense of discretion. But when I heard the story I guessed Sophy might have been the offended party. Can't think of any other lady with the guts to do such a thing."
Julian swore under his breath. "One word of this to anyone else and I swear I will have your head, Daregate."
"Now, Julian, don't be angry." Daregate's smile was fleeting but surprisingly genuine. "This is just servant gossip and will soon die out. As I said, there was no name mentioned. As long as none of the principals talk, you can brazen it out. If I were you, I'd be flattered. Personally, I cannot think of any other man who's wife would think enough of him to call out his mistress."
"Ex-mistress," Julian muttered. "Kindly remember that. I have spent altogether too much time explaining that fact to Sophy."
Daregate chuckled. "But did she comprehend your explanations, Ravenwood? Wives can be a little thickheaded about such things."
"How would you know? You've never bothered to marry."
"I am capable of learning by observation," Daregate said smoothly.
Julian's brows lifted. "You may have ample opportunity to put what you have learned into practice if that uncle of yours continues in his present ways. There's a good chance he'll either get himself killed by a jealous husband or else he'll drink himself to death."
"Either way, by the time his fate catches up with him there will be very little chance of salvaging the estate," Daregate said with sudden savagery. "He has gutted it and drained the blood from its carcass."
Before Julian could respond to that, Miles Thurgood strolled over to sit down nearby. It was obvious he had overheard Daregate's last words.
"If you do inherit the title, the solution is obvious," Miles said reasonably. "You will simply have to find yourself a rich heiress. Come to think of it, that redheaded friend of Sophy's is probably going to be quite wealthy when her stepfather finally has the decency to depart to the next world."
"Anne Silverthorne?" Daregate grimaced. "I'm told she has no intention of ever marrying."
"I believe Sophy felt very much the same way, " Julian murmured. He thought about the young woman in boy's garb who had been handling the pistols that morning and frowned as he recalled the red hair stuffed under a cap. In fact, I think I can assure you that they have far too much in common. Come to think of it, you would be wise to avoid her, Daregate. She would give you as much trouble as Sophy is presently giving me."
Daregate slanted him a curious look. "I will keep that in mind. If I do inherit, I will have my hands full salvaging the estate. The last thing I would need would be a wild, headstrong wife like Sophy."
"My wife is neither wild nor headstrong," Julian stated unequivocally.
Daregate gazed at him thoughtfully. "You are right. Elizabeth was wild and headstrong. Sophy is merely high-spirited. She is nothing like your first countess, is she?"
"Nothing like her at all." Julian poured himself a glass of port. "I think it's time we changed the subject."
"Agreed," Daregate said. "The prospect of having to find myself a rich, willing heiress to marry in order to save the estate is almost enough to make me wish long life and good health to my dear uncle."
"Almost," Miles repeated with amused insight, "but not quite enough. If that estate fells into your hands we all know you will do whatever you have to do in order to save it."
"Yes." Daregate tossed back his port and reached for the bottle. "It would keep me busy, wouldn't it?"
"As I said a moment ago," Julian remarked, "I think it's time to change the subject. I have a question for both of you and I do not want either it or the answer to go beyond the three of us. Is that understood?"
"Certainly, Daregate said calmly.
Miles nodded, turning serious. "Understood."
Julian looked first at one and then the other. He trusted them both. "Have you ever seen or heard of a ring of black metal embossed with a triangle and some sort of animal head?"
Daregate and Thurgood glanced at each other and then at Julian. They shook their heads.
"Don't believe so," Miles said.
"Is it important?" Daregate asked.
"Perhaps," Julian said quietly. "Then again, perhaps not. But it seems to me that I once heard rumors of such rings being used by members of a certain club."
Daregate frowned thoughtfully. "I believe I remember those rumors too, now that you mention them. A club formed at one of the colleges, wasn't it? The young men supposedly used black rings to signal each other. It was all very secretive and I don't recall anyone ever saying what the purpose of the club was. What makes you mention it now?"
"Sophy has come into possession of such a ring. It was given to her by—" Julian broke off. He had no right to relate the full story of Sophy's sister Amelia. "By a woman friend in Hampshire. I saw it and was curious about it because the sight of it tugged at my memory."
"Probably just an old keepsake now," Miles said easily.
"It's an unpleasant looking thing," Julian said.
"If you bothered to give your wife some decent jewelry, she would not be obliged to wear old, cast-off school rings," Daregate said bluntly.
Julian scowled at him. "This from a man who may someday seriously have to contemplate marrying for money? Do not worry about Sophy's jewelry collection, Daregate. I assure you, I am quite capable of seeing my wife properly outfitted in that department."
"About time. Pity about the emeralds, though. When are you going to announce that they have disappeared forever?" Daregate asked unrepentantly.
Miles stared. "They've disappeared?"
Julian scowled. "Stolen. One of these days they will show up at a jeweler's when somebody can wait no longer to pawn them."