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

“Lord and Lady Carlow. Lord and Lady Wargrove. My felicitations on your recent marriages.”

“Thank you. Please have a seat,” Carlow said, directing their guest.

Nora had never given a thought to Lady Jersey’s capacity but seeing her in their home as powerful woman and bank representative gave pause. Of course, the paper also mentioned her name in connection with several men. Her affairs were discreet yet gave her an air of notoriety also.

She sat on the edge of her chair, back straight. “You must wonder why I am here.”

“Indeed, I can’t imagine why,” Lord Carlow said. “We have banked with Lloyd’s for a number of years.”

“Yes, we know. But our clients were the Blasingtons, my lord, and that is the business upon which I am here.”

“The Blasingtons?” Nora said. She wasn’t prepared to tell the truth of the Blasingtons in front of Lady Jersey, but it must be common knowledge they barely had two sticks to rub together, let alone coins.

“Yes. At Lord Wargrave’s twenty-first birthday or his marriage, whichever came earlier, I was to deliver this trunk. The contents have been held under seal at our bank since several months before your father was hanged. Rest assured, when the Crown came looking for his assets, we were obliged to tell them George Blasington had no business with us. And it was no one’s business that we held this for his children in trust.”

Nora glanced at Carlow, then her brother. Carlow’s brows were drawn, contemplating what it might be. Timothy’s eyes were round as saucers, unable to comprehend where Lady Jersey’s visit might lead.

“This packet was addressed to both of you. From your father.”

“Papa?” Nora was on her feet in a flash and took a few steps toward Lady Jersey, accepting—taking—the small packet. She held it to her chest. “Did you know my father?”

“Oh, no, dear. For us, it was just a transaction. All in a day’s work. I imagine you must feel differently. Well, I have done my duty. I should be going.”

“You wouldn’t like to stay for tea?” Carlow had the wherewithal for politeness while both Timothy and Nora were in a daze.

“How do we open it?” Nora asked. She gripped one of the padlocks.

“I do believe the keys are inside your envelope. I’m sure Carlow is clever enough to figure out how to open a box,” Lady Jersey said with a saucy glance at Carlow. She might have even winked at him.

Nora’s senses tingled with animus and was reminded of Lady Jersey’s reputation, at least what was fit to print in the paper. She glanced at Lady Jersey to see she, indeed, had her gaze firmly affixed on her husband.

Carlow must have caught her meaning. He stared back with a fairly benign look. No smile, no twinkling eye, just ambivalence to whatever her private suggestion was. “Since the box belongs to my wife, I will make every effort to open it just for her.”

“If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”

“Thank you, Lady Jersey,” Nora said. Everyone stood again and Lady Jersey swept from the room. The four of them stood around the trunk, staring at each other and then back to the padlocks and straps.

“Well? What do we do know?” Timothy asked.

“Call me daft, but maybe you should open the envelope,” Carlow said.

“Yes. Yes, of course. Your name is on the outside, Timothy.”

“So is yours,” Timothy said. “I’m sure Father meant it for both of us.”

“But it was your marriage and your birthday that were important,” she countered. “I think he meant it for you.”

“You’re the elder.”

“Mon dieu!” Millie exclaimed, and reached for the envelope, peeling it back. She dumped the contents on the couch they’d just vacated. Two envelopes fell out along with the keys. “There is one for each of you,” she said.

“Let’s open them at the same time,” Nora said.

“No, I want to read mine privately,” Timothy insisted.

“Mon dieu is right, Lady Wargrave! Someone open one of the envelopes,” Carlow demanded.

“No!” Nora sat on the couch. “I cannot rush something I’ve waited for my entire life. To converse with my father again through his words. I will give this moment the attention it deserves.” She reached for the teapot and poured another cup, keeping her letter in her lap. “Don’t let me stop you from reading yours, Timothy.”

“This is ridiculous.” Timothy walked to the other side of the room and sat in a chair near an open window. Carlow took a seat next to her and Millie stood between them and her husband, not sure where she should be.

“Sit with us, Millie,” Carlow said.

“No, I think I will go to my room.” She bowed to Carlow and Nora, glanced at her husband engrossed in the past and left the library. “This seems a private moment,” she said, and departed.

“I think she only just now realizes what she married into,” Carlow said.

Nora sipped her tea. “This is a nice tea, Carlow. I won’t ever be able to drink it again without thinking of this day.”

“It’s nice to have such reminders.”

Finishing her cup, she glanced at Timothy. His open letter sat in his lap and he stared outside, his elbow braced against the arm of the chair and one finger to his lips.

She pressed her lips together and gripped the aged envelope.

“Do you want me to leave?” Carlow asked.

“No. Read it with me.” She peeled it open and pulled out the single sheet.

My dearest treasure. My darling little girl. You will be a shining young woman by the time you read this, and I, a sad memory.

First, do not defend me. I am guilty of those things I have been accused, for I am and have always been a thief, this time getting caught up in a scheme