The Fairest of Them All by Cathy Maxwell Page B

slip away so easily.
    â€œA what, Ben? A traitor?”
    His brother frowned as if not liking the sound of the word and then said in a low voice, “Somewhat.”
    â€œSomewhat like yes? Or somewhat like no?” Jack was pushing him, but he was quickly moving past caring.
    â€œYou were born English,” Ben insisted ­doggedly.
    Jack could have roared his irritation. “Regardless of which country I am from, or which country I choose, I would like to believe any of us would wish to avert a war . To me, that is the larger question. Does that not make sense?”
    â€œMy government is not concerned about ­American grievances right now, Jack. We have more pressing issues.”
    â€œMore pressing than war ?”
    â€œWe are already at war.”
    Now it was Jack who took a step away from his brother. Their conversation was going in circles. Ben would not see reason. He would not help him. Meanwhile, gentlemen had come out of their offices to witness the confrontation. Perhaps one of them would have heard his case and realized the grave concerns at stake.
    Or Jack might find himself the topic of more articles in the papers on the morrow.
    That thought gave him pause.
    He struggled with his temper. Creating a scene, especially with his brother, would not help his cause. “Very well,” he said quietly. “But there must be someone who is willing to listen. Someone who has the power to make your government do what is honorable and right.”
    â€œYou know who that person is,” Ben said.
    Of course, Jack did—­Baynton. His twin. There was so much between them. Too much.
    â€œWhere is he now?” he asked Ben.
    â€œAt the time of the day, he can be a number of places. However, I happen to know that his intention was to go courting.”
    â€œCourting?”
    â€œYes, Jack, our brother is in the market for a wife. The purpose of the ball last night was to ­introduce him to eligible young women.”
    This information tickled Jack’s interest. “Did he meet anyone he liked?”
    â€œWell, the ball came to an abrupt end,” Ben reminded Jack. “However, I believe he was ­introduced to someone of interest. Lady ­Charlene Blanchard,” he said as if needing to share the ­information. “He is calling on her this afternoon. Elin and I also spent the night at Menheim and when I saw him this morning, he was—­well, how to describe it? Afloat. He was cheerfully afloat.”
    Jack gave his brother a look of disbelief. “Gavin is never cheerful in the morning, unless the years have worked a miracle in him.”
    â€œThey haven’t. He still is not his best in the morning. However, this morning, he was afloat. I even heard him humming.”
    â€œ Our brother?”
    Ben nodded.
    â€œSo what you are saying is that if I want to speak to Baynton right this minute, I need to find this young lady?”
    â€œWell, if you want him right this minute,” Ben agreed. “But I wouldn’t. Baynton will not be pleased.”
    Jack didn’t care. “I have been complacent, Ben. I have been polite and I have been diplomatic. The time has come to shake the tree a bit, starting with the one man who has the power to help me.”
    â€œDon’t tell Gavin I was the one who gave you the information.”
    â€œYou needn’t worry. Our brother will be so annoyed to see me, he won’t ask. Come along, ­Perkins.”
    And with that Jack set out to track down his twin.

Chapter Seven
    G avin was courting.
    He stood on the front step of the address on Mulberry Street and took deep breaths to calm his nerves. Dukes could not fear anything. They lived to lead, and confidence was vital to that process.
    However, from the first moment he’d received word Lady Charlene would be honored if he called, his initial elation had quickly turned to a cold sweat. Gavin had never wooed a woman before. He’d never even