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

“Timothy, you don’t know her well enough yet,” Nora said.

“That’s why I want to go to the house party. It is certainly better than attempting to become acquainted at a masque,” Timothy said.

“There are reasons, brother. Now is not the time.”

“Lord Carlow, you must have attended such parties when you were my age?” he asked. “And for the same reasons.”

Both turned their gazes upon Gabriel. He could see brother and sister wanted him to take sides. He was all of five years older than Timothy, but somehow he’d become a mentor of sorts—and the strong patriarch of two families.

“Carlow!” Nora said with force.

Oh, to displease a wife. “We will all think clearer in the morning,” he said.

“You do not have permission to attend this house party,” Nora said, hands now folded across her chest.

“Permission? I am no longer asking. I am advising you that I am attending.”

“Lower your voices,” Gabriel said. Timothy had been drinking with them downstairs. Gabriel was sure that blurred young Timothy’s thoughts. Nora couldn’t see anything when her blood was up.

“Gabriel will not take you with us when we return to London. Nor will I give you the funds to travel there.”

“Gigi will. Or Carlow. You would provide me some assistance, wouldn’t you, Lord Carlow? And then I will be married with a proper wife’s dowry and I won’t have to rely on any of you ever again. In fact, I think that is the only reason I need to get married.”

“Not for love?”

“Why should I? I can be as much of a cynic as you. Marry because I will get something I want out of the proposition. I wonder if Lord Carlow will ever be satisfied with a wife who blackmailed him into marriage. That is so much more meaningful than love.”

Gabriel’s scar started to throb, especially where it cut across his temple. He tied off his robe with a yank, feeling certain his night was ruined, if not the next fifteen years of his marriage.

“You child! I lo—like and respect Gabriel. I would do anything for him, because he accepted me in spite of my blackmail, in spite of my cynicism, in spite of our horrid family history. He is the better person in this room. Both of you need to leave. I won’t agree to this, this mistake.”

“Why do I need to leave?” Gabriel said. He was still thinking about her words. She was about to commit herself to a lifetime with him but caught herself before she admitted to any intense feelings. In the world of Nora Blasington, nothing should amaze him. He turned to see her expression, not one of tenderness and warmth, but of anger.

“You obviously agree with Timothy,” she said.

“I think there is a solution that would satisfy both of you. And we can resolve it in the next few days, not in the middle of the night,” Gabriel said.

“Hmpf. There are hundreds of young ladies imminently suitable for you, but you must have this one. Shouldn’t you at least meet one other noble’s daughter before you decide?” Nora said to Timothy.

“I have met plenty. And to your point, there will be plenty more at Lady Russell’s house party.”

Gabriel had completely misjudged Timothy, thinking he was a calm, clear-thinking, if not a little naïve, young man. It turned out he was as much of a termagant as Nora when he was riled.

Gabriel was at the end of his patience. He opened the bedroom door. “Out!” he said. “Be at the breakfast table at seven. We will finish this discussion.”

Timothy’s anger vented, he returned to himself. “Good evening, Lord Carlow. Nora.”

As Gabriel shut the door, Nora flounced toward the bed. “You can find another bed to sleep in,” she said.

“Do not place the blame for this at my feet. I will sleep in my bed with my wife.”

She stood again. “Then I will find a different bed.”

“God give me sanity.”

“And a different bed.”

“Go to sleep, Nora. Have wonderful dreams, and rest assured, I will sleep like the grateful dead.”

* * * * *

“Good morning, Lord Carlow.” Lord and Lady Fortenay were already at the breakfast table. Lord Fortenay stood with a shaky push to his feet and bowed politely. He still read the London Times, spread on the table, which had arrived three days ago. According to Nora, he would read every word and then he and Lady Fortenay would discuss ad nauseum.

“And a good morning to you, Lord and Lady Fortenay.” He bowed quickly. “Has Timothy been down yet?” Gabriel asked.

“Oh, no. Well, yes. He popped in to say he was walking to Dorchester to catch the six o’clock coach to Bournemouth,” Lady Fortenay said.

“Bournemouth? Why?” Gabriel said as he filled his plate with bacon and eggs only.

“Well, Bournemouth was the first stop,” she said. “Then to Southhampton, wasn’t it, dear?”

“Yes. Then on to Reading.”

“A house party,” Lady Fortenay said. “It seemed urgent to him.”

“A house party?” Which house party would that be? Gabriel pulled out his chair, determined to at least enjoy his breakfast before getting worked up about his brother-in-law doing exactly what he said he was going to do. It was apparent the Blasingtons rarely followed instructions.

Gabriel wasn’t concerned and Nora shouldn’t necessarily be concerned either. His youth and inexperience at such a venue could lead to trouble or embarrassment, but being the sanguine fellow Gabriel was, he thought neither of those things every really hurt a man. In fact, could hone him better than lectures at the dinner table.

For a normal house party. For a normal noble.

The eggs were fluffy and light, the thick bacon crisp, as he liked it. He sipped at his coffee as he thought about the possibilities.