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adults pleadingly. Hopingsomeone would throw her a lifeline, James supposed.
    His lips quirked, and before he could stop himself, a short bark of laughter erupted from his chest. His sister looked at him like he’d grown another head. She was not amused, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a small smile forcing its way along his brother-in-law’s lips as well, despite what seemed a Herculean effort to keep themstraight, and James couldn’t keep another chuckle fromescaping.
    “Well, dear brother”—his sister’s ire transferred to him temporarily—“since you seemto think this is so amusing, you can be the one who goes to get him from that place and bring him home before he canget himself, and this youngman, into anymore trouble.”
    “Oh, Char, have a heart, dearest.” His brother-in-law, William, spoke up at last. “Your brother looks like he’s only just returned home himself. We can’t make himpile back into a carriage so soon.”
    “No, no, William,” James said, managing to sober himself. “It’s all right. You have been out and about all evening whilst I have been lounging in the library for at least an hour. I’ll go get the scamp and draghimhome for his beating.”
If it gets me out before Charlotte really loses her temper, it will be well worth it .
    As he made his way out of the parlor, his sister confirmed his reasoning when she began, “Now then, young lady, we must discuss your behavior….”
    The Ashtons’ carriage hadn’t been put away yet, so it came around quickly when sent for. They reached St. James’s Street in short order, and he instructed the driver to turn the carriage and wait across the street for him. It wouldn’t take long to collect his nephew and be on his way. At least, that was what he hoped. It had been a busy night for him, and he was starting to feel it. Muscles in his body that hadn’t been used in over a year were protesting loudly that he needed to get home and rest. He smiled, remembering how they’d gottenthat way, thensobered, focusingonhis mission.
    He entered the club but waved off the servant who greeted him at the door and kept his hat. The rooms were thick with conversation and smoke as he passed several tables in search of his nephew. He was hailed here and there byacquaintances lounginginplushchairs or waiting their turn at the tables, but he gave only the briefest of greetings before passing on. He was tired, and he felt the beginnings of a headache coming on now that he was in the crowded, smokefilled rooms.
    He finally found Andrew near the back at a small table. Relieved, he made his way around the table, attempting to quietly draw his nephew’s attention. When he came close enough to recognize some of his nephew’s opponents, he caught sight of the young man sitting directly across fromAndrew and nearly forgot why he was there.
    The very person he’d been trying not to think about for the past few hours was sitting at the table not ten feet from him, and for the second time that night, allthoughts ofhis familyfled fromhis head.
    He rolled his eyes heavenward in a plea for strength and gritted his teeth. For God’s sake, his evening with Elias was supposed to sate his passions, not send them raging out of control. Yet here he was again devouring the lad with his eyes like he was a banquet spread before a starvingman.
Oh dear lord, get hold of yourself before someone sees the way you’re staring at him .
    At least his reason didn’t completely desert him, and this time, when thoughts of carrying young men off in carriages came to mind, they brought himback to the roomwith a jolt, reminding himthat his brother-in-law’s carriage was waiting outside for himto discharge his commission. With that thought held firmly in mind, James was finally able to tear his thoughts away from the distraction at the table and focus onhis nephew.
    Andrew must have followed the other player’s gaze, because his eyes