An Inadvisable Wager (The Curse of the Weatherby Ball Book 2) by Eliza Lloyd (the best novels to read txt) 📕

looking forward to seeing you in it again.” He reached for a curl dangling at her ear and wrapped it around his finger. “I have no doubt you will astound everyone with your beauty. Now that they can see you fully.”

“Only one dance, Carlow. I don’t want to be on display.”

“What about all those who, at a mere glance from you, will want to whisk you around the room?”

“I don’t know them, and it is your duty to keep them away from your wife.” Her performance at the Weatherby Ball with Carlow was for him alone. And she didn’t think she could muster that sort of courage for a second night. In the open, where everyone knew her name. And how she was now inextricably tied to Lord Carlow.

“You’ve only to say no. No gentleman would pressure you for that which you do not want to give.”

“Even my husband?”

“Ah, always looking to trap me into doing or admitting some dastardly deed, aren’t you?”

“Please? You must understand why.”

“As you wish. We are losing time. I will meet you in the foyer. Oh, one more thing. My mother thought you might like to wear this to complement your dress.” He pulled out a necklace—a thin silver chain from which dangled a facetted sapphire. “She’ll want it back after the ball,” he said, willing to needle her.

“Is your mother attending?”

“She prefers this sort of ball. No scandals, no curses and plenty of cushioned chairs around the ballroom.”

“I will thank her when I see her.”

“She’s waiting in the foyer too.”

Nora screamed. “Carlow, why didn’t you tell me? Hurry, Molly. Leave us,” she urged. “Go, go!” she said, practically pushing Carlow from the room.

Molly hurriedly helped with her dress and laced her up tight. Nora sat in front of a tri-mirror vanity while Molly finished pinning up her hair. How many would look down on her for the events she had caused two nights ago? Or maybe there were other scandals that night she hadn’t heard about yet. Carlow would have told her, surely.

“I must look as wonderful as Carlow thinks I will. Or better.”

* * * * *

“Well, I have to say you were right, Carlow. She looks magnificent in that blue.” His mother stood beside him, wrestling with a tightly drawn corset beneath her ball gown. “Uhm,” she grunted.

Gabriel’s heart stood still as Nora descended the stairs. When she approached, he leaned toward her and kissed her cheek.

“Carlow,” she said. “Lady Carlow. Thank you. Your necklace is just perfect for this dress,” she said to his mother, drawing her hand along the bodice of her dress, skillfully drawing attention to the necklace, for the benefit of her mother-in-law, and her cleavage, for the benefit of her husband.

“I am glad someone is putting it to good use. I never had suitable skin tone for that color. I inherited it from my grandmother. It’s quite old.”

“For this evening, I will treasure your gift.” Gabriel glanced at her, deciding she was being sincere.

They loaded the carriage, Gabriel assisting both ladies.

“I trust this ball will have less excitement than your last one,” his mother said.

“Where Nora is, I think there is always a level of dramatic upheaval.”

“I prefer the word adventurous,” Nora said.

“The Duke of Exeter is not the man to enjoy any sort of adventure. Do be a proper countess tonight, would you, dear?” his mother said.

The Exeter Ball was as large as the Weatherby Ball but without the masks and trouble. As they climbed the marble stairs to the large mansion, Nora gripped his arm tightly.

Mother no longer danced, but as soon as they were inside, she said, “Have a good evening, both of you. I will be visiting with my peers in the ballroom and later in one of the drawing rooms, if you need me. And if the Duke of Exeter asks about me, make sure he knows I am in attendance.”

“You just saw the family last week,” Gabriel said.

“Hmm. And I will see them again this evening,” she said. “But I haven’t seen Exeter all month, and this is his ball.”

“I’ll fetch you when we are ready for supper, Mother.”

“Enjoy yourself. No trouble this evening, Lady Carlow,” she said to Nora, then snapped her fan open as she departed.

“I think she likes you,” Gabriel said.

“Once she gets to know me, she’ll change her mind.”

“Self-deprecation isn’t your style, my dear. I like the confident Nora.”

Gabriel placed her gloved hand upon his sleeve and began the slow walk around the ballroom. Would tonight be the night he joined Nora in her bed? He was growing a little eager for the fulfillment for which he longed and for which he’d bargained Henbury Hall. And if Nora demanded, he would have to take her to Henbury as he agreed. He would rather secure his position now. Courting her at Henbury seemed fraught with peril, if not downright impossible.

Gabriel’s recent wedding drew a wide range of interest. Several of his acquaintances and their wives were curious about Nora, daughter of the notorious Blasington, Earl of Wargrove, including Exeter. Such a combination of family notoriety and her personal beauty drew them all.

Miss Talbot was there. Her mother and father were there. He passed them, nodding without stopping to introduce his wife. There wasn’t an understanding regarding him and Miss Talbot, and he would not feel intimidated by their glares.

Other men winked knowingly. The wives pretended their questions were innocent when there was an underlying suspicion, maybe even a little jealousy.

Nora smiled and answered with vagueness. She used that same canny humor he’d experienced the night he met her. There were still questions Gabriel wanted to know, but he learned the same thing all the gossipy inquirers did—nothing.

One woman, Lady Hythe, captured Nora’s interest when Lady Hythe