heard of her?â
Sedge shook his head. âNo, but I have been out of British social circles for some time.â He cast Tye a wicked grin. âI only pop in, you know, to create a certain amount of chaos and scandal.â
Tye slanted him a stern glance. âLetâs try and avoid that for the time being. I was hoping youâd help me out with this woman. I havenât had a lot of experience with countesses.â
âAnd I have had a great deal of experience, in every sense of the word, with women of noble blood.â Sedge swept low in a mocking bow. âI shall be by your side every minute tonight, my lord.â
âGreat. But thatâs not all.â Tye drew a deep breath. âSheâs going to be here for at least a week, maybe more. Folks in town are planning all kinds of festivities. I know youâre as busy as I am, but thereâs no way I want to be stuck with this woman all by myself. If you could see your way clear toâ¦wellâ¦share the escorting dutiesâ¦â
The British brow rose again. âYou want me to share this woman with you?â
Tye threw him a lopsided grin. âWhen you say it that way it sounds soâ¦â
âCrass? Crude? Callous?â Sedge said brightly.
Tye laughed. âYeah.â
âI rather suspect it is.â Sedge raised his shoulders in a casual shrug. âI would, of course, do anything within my power to help you out, but before I make any firm commitments, what do you know about this countess? Is she old or young? Pretty or hideous? And most importantly, does she have money?â
Tye drew his brows together in a considering frown. âI donât know for sure. I know sheâs a widow, so I imagine sheâs old. Sheâs traveling the West, so sheâs probably rich. All I really know is that her whim to visit this part of the world is going to be a real pain in the ass.â
âA royal pain in the ass,â Sedge agreed.
âIâd bet the ranch on that,â Tye said glumly.
âCheer up, old chap. Iâll do it, but on one condition.â
Relief washed through Tye. âName it.â
âIf sheâs young and pretty and rich, I reserve the right to keep her for myself.â Sedge grinned. âI may not want to share at all.â
âHey, even if sheâs young and pretty and rich, you can have her.â
âWhat?â Sedge gasped in mock surprise. âNo competing for the same fair lady? No attempts to seduce a woman Iâm attempting to seduce as well? No games, no contests, no wagers?â
âNot this time,â Tye said firmly.
Sedge cast him a suspicious stare. âAre you certain youâre feeling well, Tye? All this fresh air hasnât rendered you insane, has it?â
âIâm fine.â Tye tossed him a rueful smile. âBut the one thing I donât need in my life these days is a woman. Any woman. Theyâre too damned much trouble. You want her, friend, you can have her.â
âExcellent. I must say, itâs something of a relief to know I shall have a clear field with this countess if, of course, she warrants it. Although it might not be as much of a challenge without you in the fray.â
Tye laughed. âIâm sure youâll manage somehow.â
Sedge nodded, and stepped off the porch toward his waiting horse. âI shall see you at Big Jackâs tonight then?â
âOh, Iâll definitely be there.â Tye tossed Sedge a sharp salute. âWhether I want to or not.â
Sedge waved in response and rode off. Tye watched his friend thoughtfully. While Tye had met any number of Englishmen in Europe, Sedge was the only one he could claim a friendship with. And even Tye realized that Sedge was not typical of his countrymen.
What would this countess be like? Tye hadnât much cared one way or another until Sedge brought it up.How would he feel if indeed she did turn out to be young