“That would not surprise me.” Tobias plucked up his coat and pulled it on. Lastly, he returned to the mirror and smoothed his hair. Satisfied he no longer looked like he’d just shagged his soon-to-be-wife, even if he certainly felt like it, he went to fetch his gloves.

He paused at the door. “Barbara, do me a favor, please?”

“Anything.” She sauntered toward him, her hips swaying. “You know you may have any favor you like.”

“Not that kind. If I wasn’t clear before, I have no intention on bedding anyone other than my wife. Ever.” Wife. How he loved the sound of that. He pulled on his gloves. “If Aldington returns to you, ensure that he truly wants to engage in a liaison. I would hate for him to do anything he would regret.” He met her gaze. “And that is not a reflection on you. I just know him well enough to believe this behavior is so outside who he is that he may be filled with remorse. In fact, I would strongly advise you move on to another candidate.”

Her lush red lips curved into a soft smile. “You’re a good friend, Toby.”

“I try to be—and I will be to you. Always. Good night, Barbara.”

Tobias wondered how Fiona had found her way downstairs and hoped she hadn’t encountered anyone here on the men’s side. Even though there was an assembly going on next door, many gentlemen were simply at their club, spending their evening in the gaming room or the members’ den. He ought to have discussed that with her before she left.

Hurrying down to the first floor, he didn’t pause to see who might be in the members’ den. He did, however, nearly run into Lucien, who came toward the staircase from that very room.

Lucien glanced up the stairs. “You’re coming down? What were you about on the second floor?”

It was a valid question since the only rooms up there were Lucien’s office, the bedchambers Tobias had mentioned to Fiona, and a storage room. “I was, ah, dallying with my bride-to-be.”

Lucien grinned. “Congratulations. All of your worrying was for naught then.”

Tobias rolled his eyes. “I encountered a most peculiar person up there.”

“Not your betrothed?”

“Your brother. In the company of my former mistress. He had a key to the room we were in. He can have only obtained it in one way.”

“By stealing it from me?”

Tobias narrowed one eye at him. “Is that really what happened?”

“No. I gave it to him.” Lucien exhaled. “It’s my bloody club, Deane. If I want to give my brother access to a bedchamber so he can shag someone, I will.”

“You’re helping him commit adultery?”

“He’s viciously unhappy.”

“Hasn’t he always been? According to you anyway.” Tobias remembered a time or two when Aldington had laughed.

“I will help him do anything if it will remove the stick from his arse, even a small amount. But I am sorry they troubled you.”