Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [60]
Hawkeswell sighed deeply. “I realize that the two of you have nothing in common anymore and are no longer friends, but to deliberately anger him—Latham, there you are! I fear we are too late.”
Latham came over. Castleford barely acknowledged him. Latham saw the horses and his face reddened. He glared at Hawkeswell accusingly.
“Hawkeswell chanced upon me here, just as I was striking the deal,” Castleford said. “I read the Times advertisements too, Latham. You had to know you would have competition for horses like these.”
Latham gave the horses a good look. Standing aside, Hawkeswell did not see what Castleford did. Latham’s expression momentarily turned its most dangerous, and with a glancing sneer he sent true hatred in Castleford’s direction.
In the next moment, he appeared calm and amiable again. He smiled at Hawkeswell. “I should have moved on them faster, I can see. But if any man were to beat me to them, just as well it is Tristan here.”
What an accursed thing to say. It took some of the fun out of the victory. Not all of it, but some.
“Let us all have some ale,” Latham offered. “It is hot enough for at least a pint, I’d say.”
A glare from Hawkeswell induced Castleford to reluctantly join them as they set off in the direction of the tavern.
Thinking the hour had not turned out nearly as well as he had planned, Castleford sat in the tavern in a daze of languor.
To say that small talk filled the next ten minutes was to give the conversation too much credit.
It took a moment, then, to gather his faculties when Latham turned that false affability in his direction. “You are being much discussed these days, Tristan.”
“Latham, I told you not to call me by my Christian name. No one does anymore, not even Hawkeswell here, unless we are both thoroughly foxed.”
“Or thoroughly furious,” Hawkeswell offered with a laugh. “Have you heard good gossip, Latham? I often miss the best bits because I am his friend.”
“It is said he has found iron in the south, to add to his mines in the north.” Latham watched him carefully, looking for a reaction.
“Oh, that old rumor,” Hawkeswell said, disappointed. “Iron now, is it?”
“I have found nothing. No iron or anything else.”
“It is said this is very recent. On land you recently came by.”
“You know how old women talk, Latham. It has been established by experts that there are no iron reserves in the south.” Castleford let his voice communicate his boredom with the topic.
After a bit more small talk, Hawkeswell excused himself and left. Castleford rose to follow him.
“Is it my father’s land?” Latham demanded, spearing him with a look of suspicion. “This discovery of yours, is it on that gift he left you? I can’t think of any other property that you recently acquired.”
“You have no idea what I acquire and when. You must stop listening to every whisper passed in the clubs, Latham.”
Latham’s eyes narrowed. “You are looking very smug, Tristan. I have it right, don’t I, damn it.”
“That is not smugness you see. It is ennui claiming me, Gerome. I have always found paragons of virtue tedious, especially when they are actually treasonous rapists.”
“Damnation, you are the one who is tedious. You only hammer on that business in France because you are jealous now. No one has asked to consult with you about the state of the realm.”
“They already know my advice. Be sure the people do not go hungry, and all will be well. It is such a simple, sure idea that even primitive people see the logic of it. Yet we have once again made sure that men will watch their children starve, then expect them to be happy and peaceable while they do. If you have any influence at all, address that immorality, and I may not think you a total scoundrel.”
“I am thinking that I would rather address the immorality of the notorious Duke of Castleford. Perhaps just for fun I will make you a public symbol of depravity in my next essay.”
“Please do. It will be the finest jewel in my crown.”
“You joke, but you like power as much as any man. You will not be