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

and I were both sobbing for our parents. The apple trees along the lane where in bloom. Even today when I smell fragrant spring blossoms, I am transported to that awful day.”

Nora nibbled at her muffin, while she told a small bit of her story. “I had one small valise along with one of my dolls and Mother’s diaries. Timothy had a travel trunk and he gripped a bow and arrow, the last thing Papa had given him. Timothy was only six; I don’t think he remembers anything. At least he says he doesn’t. I was hoping—I know it’s a small hope after all this time—that Father’s library or some of mother’s paintings might still be there. Do you know? Is the house let?”

He did know. “We’ll be there soon. You’ll be able to see for yourself. And what fate brought you to Lord and Lady Fortenay?” Should he feel guilty about not answering her questions directly? Now was not the time for perfect honesty. He wasn’t the vindictive sort but had to believe there would be a right time to tell her, just not now.

“My mother and father were second cousins. So, my grandmother and Lady Fortenay were first cousins. Gigi was equally related to both my mother and father. Evidently, she felt it her solemn duty to interfere. I think if there had been property, other distant family might have come forward to care for we orphans. And here we are.”

Gabriel was full of suspicions. Were Lord and Lady Fortenay also under the spell of the Blasington Hoard? There weren’t closer relatives, in either distance or familial ties? Had Nora asked the right questions or was she so single-minded that nothing else mattered but Henbury Hall?

After she finished her muffin, she leaned back on the cushions and closed her eyes. “Carlow, I know it’s too late to change things, but I do regret that you are in the middle of this. I’m having a hard time imagining you as the villain when it was really your father who caused this.”

“That’s a small step forward.”

“If we had Henbury Hall and our three tin mines in Cornwall and the Henbury stallions, there would have been a dowry for my marriage.”

“I’m surprised a woman like Lady Fortenay isn’t a strong advocate for abolishing such a backward tradition.”

She peeked back at him, opening just one eye. “She railed against the practice, certainly, but when her sons’ time came to marry, she negotiated a hefty dowry, especially for the Fortenay heir. Cit merchant’s daughters are happy to marry into a titled family. It was astute of you to guess her nature.”

“Astute? Or putting two and two together?”

“I’m not sure she would like you. She prefers to have men under her thumb. Even Timothy is intimidated by her. But I think she would enjoy conversing with you, as long as you agreed with her position at the end of the discussion.”

He clucked his tongue. “Sounds like my mother.” Gabriel braced his hands against his knees. “I should leave you to your reading.”

“No, stay awhile. How often do we have such a magnificent day? No rain, no fog. Just the right amount of breeze. The kind of day we used to have when I was child.”

“Nostalgia can be deceptive.”

But Gabriel remained seated and enjoyed the pleasant conversation with his wife, one where neither of them were agitated or accusatory. One that made the future as promising as the beauty of the day and as hopeful as young love.

* * * * *

Another box arrived from the dressmaker the next day. Molly carried it to the bed and carefully removed the string securing the lid.

In the room’s boudoir, Nora sat at a beautiful mahogany escritoire, with a smooth finish and enough small pull drawers to satisfy the most ardent epistler. Her note to Lady Fortenay was late but allowed her to tell more of the story. Nora had always trusted Gigi but there was only so much she wanted to share. Lady Fortenay wouldn’t like the messiness of it all.

“Oh! Oh, Lady Carlow! You must see this,” Molly said. At Whitmarsh, Molly had been an all-purpose servant, helping Lady Fortenay with a torn seam, assisting with the laundry, delivering polished shoes to Lord Fortenay’s room or helping Nora with her hair. She hadn’t been with Lord and Lady Fortenay that long, so it was a surprise when she had been selected to attend Nora as her lady’s maid while they traveled. And they had gotten on swimmingly. Of course, Molly ironed cravats for Timothy and saw to it that he had all his buttons and seams intact.

Nora pushed her chair away and hurried into the room. “What is it?”

“Lady Carlow, isn’t it elegant?” Molly held up the wispy, lacy night rail and twirled around. She threw it on the bed and withdrew a heavy velvet robe and ran her hands over it. “Feel how soft it is,” she said.

Nora ran her fingers over the velvet collar and imagined the cold, damp nights of an English winter and how much she would enjoy wearing it. “What else?” she asked. She peeked into the box to see folded muslin pantaloons that would reach her ankles, drawers, embroidered kerchiefs, silk stockings and two chemises—that she could see!

Nora lifted the night rail and carried it to the cheval mirror, holding it in front and admiring the beauty and simplicity. And wondering what Carlow would think if he could see her in something other than one of her day gowns.

She threw the garment on the bed and pretended an interest she didn’t fully feel.

Her plans did not involve a life of leisure with a perceived enemy. Nor did it involve accepting jewelry and clothing or tender visits in the garden.

Gabriel! How very challenging it was to be so casual and close with a man.