The Pleasures of Passion: Sinful Suitors 4

by Sabrina Jeffries

  That memory scattered the butterflies. He’d toyed with her heart and then had gone on to live his life as he pleased. So no matter what plans he wanted to lure her into privately now, she would resist.

  She caught Papa watching her. Dear Lord, she simply must get better at hiding her feelings. “Yes,” she said, forcing a smile, “we wanted you to be aware of the engagement.”

  “And to be part of the wedding plans, of course,” Niall said.

  She bobbed her head. She’d forgotten that Papa had to be more intimately involved with them, if Niall was to uncover his secrets. Heavens, she wasn’t good at all with this subterfuge.

  But Papa brightened considerably. “Well then, that’s excellent. Always knew she’d marry again. Too pretty not to.”

  Brilliana stifled a sigh. That had been the only part of her Papa had ever noticed—her looks and what they could bring him.

  Niall cast her a surprisingly tender glance. “Too pretty for the likes of me, no doubt. But I shall endeavor to be worthy of her.”

  Even knowing that the words were merely part of his role, they made her heart flip over—drat the man. She really must do something about these ridiculous reactions to him.

  “Worthy of her!” Papa snorted. “Don’t be silly. You’re an earl. You’re more than worthy of her.”

  “For God’s sake, Oswald,” said a new voice from down the hall, “the man is trying to pay my niece a compliment. Don’t ruin it.”

  She blinked. “Uncle Toby?”

  “In the flesh,” he said jovially as he approached. Her uncle had aged, too, but unlike Papa he still seemed hale and hearty. His dark eyes still gleamed with ever-present humor, and his clothes were of the finest quality, as always.

  He came up to envelop her in a hug, then held her out to survey her. “I thought I heard your voice down here. By thunder, but it is good to see you. You’re looking well.”

  “As are you.” She beamed at him. “And I’m pleased as punch to see you, too. It’s been a long time.”

  Niall nudged her, and she quickly performed the introductions. “Lord Margrave, may I present Mr. Tobias Payne, my father’s younger brother and my favorite uncle? Uncle Toby, this is Lord Margrave, my fiancé.”

  “Your fiancé?” he said with a firm shake of Niall’s hand. “Then a lucky man indeed.”

  “I quite agree, sir,” Niall remarked. “I’m afraid I was unaware that Sir Oswald had a brother.”

  “That’s because I’m rarely around,” Uncle Toby said. “I live in France.”

  “Exactly,” Brilliana put in. “So what are you doing in London?”

  “Bedeviling me, that’s what,” Papa muttered.

  Uncle Toby merely raised an eyebrow at that. “I came a couple of weeks ago to meet with some tradesmen who use my export business. Foolishly, I agreed to stay with my grouch of an elder brother while I was here. I’ve begun to regret it, I assure you.”

  “Don’t you have an appointment somewhere that’s supposed to go well into the evening?” Papa grumbled.

  “I do, but I still have a few minutes to visit with my niece.”

  Papa scowled at him. “So you’ll change your plans for her but not for me. Even though I told you how badly we need a fourth for our game tonight.”

  Irritation flashed in Uncle Toby’s eyes. “I told you, Oswald, I am not playing cards with that group of rapscallions you call friends. I don’t trust half of them, and the other half are so deeply in debt that their vowels are worth practically nothing.”

  “That’s not true,” Papa said hotly. “Why, Quinn Raines is the director of Raines Bank, a perfectly respectable fellow.”

  A banker? Who dealt with currency? Surely that was a clue to their culprit.

  “I know him,” Niall said. “He’s a member of my club. Seems a decent enough chap.”

  “You see?” Papa told her uncle. “The earl himself approves of my friends.”

  Uncle Toby merely snorted.

  “Well, I haven’t met the others, I expect,” Niall said, “but I’d be happy to do so. Since you need a fourth tonight anyway—”

  “Of course!” Papa cried. “By all means, come and join us at the Star and Garter. We’ll have a jolly time.”

  She had to admit she was impressed. Niall had made that seem so natural that no one would have thought anything of his offer, least of all her father.

  Though her uncle was now frowning at Niall. “Are you much of a gambler then, sir?”

  “Of course he is,” Papa said dismissively. “He’s in a club, ain’t he?”

  Niall glanced from her father to her uncle. “I enjoy the occasional game of whist as much as the next fellow.”

  That didn’t seem to satisfy Uncle Toby. “So you did a lot of it while you were on the Continent, did you?”

  Papa tapped his cane on the floor. “Do you mean to keep me standing on my bad leg all day, peppering my future son-in-law with questions, brother? I thought you were in a hurry to leave.”

  Her uncle flashed him a strained smile. “I tell you what—why don’t you take your daughter’s fiancé upstairs to the drawing room, and I’ll send her along presently. That’ll give her a chance to tell me about her young man, while you ask him all the pertinent questions of a prospective father-in-law.”

  Although he’d probably meant the words to instruct Papa in what he should do on his daughter’s behalf, that apparently went right over Papa’s head, for he broke into a smile. “Excellent idea. I can break out the brandy.” He clapped Niall on the shoulder. “Let’s celebrate, sir, and leave my dour brother to my daughter for the present.”

  That made her a trifle nervous, but Niall pressed her hand and released her, which she took to mean that he wanted time alone with Papa.

  As soon as the two men had moved out of earshot, Uncle Toby bent close. “The Earl of Margrave, eh? It seems my little niece has come up in the world. Smitten by your beauty, I suppose.”

  Careful, now. Remember that anything you say will go straight to Papa.

  She didn’t even know if Uncle Toby was involved in the counterfeiting, although that seemed unlikely. Not only had he been a well-respected business owner for years, but he’d generally been the one to get Papa out of his scrapes, to loan him money and advise him to stop his gambling. She just couldn’t see Uncle Toby being part of a counterfeiting ring.

  Still, best to be cautious and keep playing her role. “His lordship does dote on me,” she said lightly.

  “Just you? Or you and your late husband’s estate?”

  His concern for her welfare touched her. Especially given that Papa didn’t care one whit about it. “What do you mean?”

  He surveyed her closely. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hear Margrave is strapped for funds after his long exile.” Worry tightened his lips into a thin line. “Take care, my dear. I wouldn’t wish to see you hurt by taking up with a fellow with pockets to let, no matter his station. And a gambler to boot. Given your father’s tendencies, well . . .”

  “It’s fine,” she said, torn between the desire to reassure him and the need to further her and Niall’s scheme. “Lord Margrave isn’t so reckless as all that.”

  “Are you sure? I would hate to see your marriage end up the way it did last time. Your father says you weren’t entirely happy with your former husband.”

  She cast him a sharp glance. “I’m surprised that Papa even told you about the . . . er . . . true state of affairs in my marriage.”

  Uncle Toby shrugged. “Oswald says that you avoid him because he’s the one who introduced the two of you. And you blamed him when it didn’t end well.”

  She suppressed a snort. Introduced them. Right. She studied her uncle’s features, but he gave no sign that he knew the truth of that cursed transaction.

  Then again, how could he? Aside from the fact that he’d lived in France for years, her father would never have told him. Papa had always resented his successful younger brother, who had more character in his little
finger than Papa had in his entire body. Who looked down on Papa for his incessant gambling, and would never have countenanced how she’d become part of repaying Papa’s debts.

  She had half a mind to set him straight about how her marriage had come about, but if he happened to mention that to Niall, the scoundrel would become even more stubborn about trying to get her into his bed.

  And no matter what Niall thought, she didn’t need a lover. Especially one who made her heart flip over with a heated look. An intimate kiss. A blatant caress that made her feel so . . .

  Oh, curse him to the devil. Why had he come back? He was ruining everything.

  Meanwhile, her uncle was still watching her with great concern. “Have you not considered that you might be marrying a fortune hunter?”

  Remember the plan. Niall wants you for your beauty; you want him for his title. “Of course I have, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. Last time, I married for . . . er . . . affection, and that, as you pointed out, ended badly. This time, I’m marrying for more practical reasons. Granted, his lordship has few funds to commend him. But my first son by him will be an earl. I can’t discount that.”

  Her uncle gaped at her. “When did you become such a cynic about love?”

  Withering under his clear disapproval, she murmured, “I’m not marrying him just for the title, you know. Lord Margrave is attractive and engaging and, well . . .” She didn’t have to fake a blush. “I could do worse.”

  “You could do better.”

  She sighed. “I’m a widow with a son. I have few enough good matrimonial prospects even with the dowry.” Remembering the picture Lord Fulkham wanted painted of Niall, she added, “Besides, he’s a clever fellow. He has big plans for the future for both of our estates. With my money and his resourcefulness, he will do whatever it takes to achieve them.”

  “Will he?” Uncle Toby looked troubled. “Then you must take care, niece. That sort of fellow can make a dangerous husband.”

  “I know. But Aunt Agatha will ensure that our marriage settlement protects me.” The way my father couldn’t ensure it the first time. “So for very little risk, I’m gaining an exciting husband who will make me a countess.” She pasted a smile to her lips. “How could I not find that appealing?”

  “Hmm.” He glanced up the stairs. “Well, if you want me to look over the settlement, don’t hesitate to ask. Even if your father thinks to do so, he’s rather heedless about legal matters.”

  To say the least. “Thank you, Uncle.” She stretched up to kiss him on the cheek. “It’s much appreciated.”

  Fortunately, she wouldn’t be needing his services. Because the one thing she and Niall would never be doing was getting married.

  Seven

  Niall had come here prepared for anything. Except this.

  Sir Oswald was clearly in a bad way financially. Aside from the obvious signs of neglect in the town house, the man’s study was the kind of wreck only achieved by a dearth of servants—dirty dishes piled on a corner of the desk, dust settled upon all the surfaces, and candle wax caked on every sconce. If Sir Oswald was a criminal, he wasn’t very good at it.

  And so far, rather than proffering the usual questions about Niall’s prospects, the man was more intent upon making sure that Niall didn’t expect him to pay for the wedding. His concern for his daughter’s future was decidedly lacking, and Niall was biting his tongue half off trying not to comment on that.

  It was even more difficult not to ask directly about the estrangement between father and daughter. No point in dredging that up while things were going well—Niall didn’t wish to make the man wary of him.

  But perhaps he could find out more about Bree’s marriage from her father. Surely that was an innocuous subject.

  “Forgive me, sir, but I’m curious about your daughter’s previous husband.”

  Sir Oswald’s dark gaze arrowed in on him, alarm flickering in its depths. “Why? What has Brilliana told you?”

  That gave Niall pause. Until he remembered that Bree had hinted at her father having gambled away her dowry, substantially lowering her prospects. “She says she doesn’t like to speak of her marriage.” When Sir Oswald looked relieved, Niall narrowed his gaze on the man. “Was it not a good match?”

  “It was a brilliant match!” her father blustered. “Reynold Trevor was a man of property, with substantial wealth. I oversaw the settlement myself. All the advantages were on her side. And he was mad for her, too.”

  “Too?” Pain crushed Niall’s chest. “So she was mad for him as well?”

  Sir Oswald paled, then glanced away. “I’m sure she was. What young woman wouldn’t be? A handsome fellow in raptures over marrying her? It’s every young girl’s dream.” It finally seemed to dawn on him that he was speaking to her present fiancé, for he forced a smile. “Not that Trevor was anything compared to you, my lord. I’m sure she is even more delighted over this match.”

  If so, she hid it well. In light of her behavior years ago, Niall found that odd. She should be using this situation to draw him in, get him in her snare again.

  Unless she was playing a longer, more subtle game. “I know that I am delighted,” he said smoothly, wondering how to press the man for more information about Trevor’s relationship to Bree.

  “Excellent, excellent.” Calculation gleamed in the old fellow’s eyes. “And speaking of my daughter’s late husband and his property, I was wondering what you plan to do about Camden Hall. Obviously, you and Brilliana will live at Margrave Manor.”

  Camden Hall? What the blazes?

  Before Niall could even think how to answer, a voice came from the doorway. “We haven’t settled all those details yet, Papa. We only just became engaged.”

  As Bree entered, Niall couldn’t help thinking again how lovely she was, how poised and perfect. Tamping down an irrational jealousy of the late Reynold Trevor, he rose, though he noted that her father didn’t bother with such a courtesy.

  Instead, Sir Oswald settled back against his chair like a man sure of controlling his domain. “Ah, there you are, daughter. I’m merely saying that something must be done about your late husband’s estate.”

  “Not my late husband’s estate,” she said testily. “Silas’s. And his lordship and I will deal with that as we see fit.”

  Though this engagement was all for show, Niall understood her outrage. But discussing it might give them more insight into Sir Oswald’s current financial situation and future plans, which Niall needed if he was to pursue this investigation.

  With a glance for Bree that he hoped she would read as Let me take the lead, Niall offered her his chair before facing her father. “Still, I’m sure we’re both curious to know your thoughts concerning Camden Hall, sir.”

  Just as he’d hoped, her father puffed out his chest. “Since my own property in the country is presently being leased by a gentleman, I’d be happy to help manage my daughter’s. It would be better for you to have a member of the family doing that than some stranger, like one of those hired estate managers.”

  As Bree bristled, Niall laid a restraining hand on her shoulder. “That’s a very generous offer, sir.” And no doubt the scoundrel had some idea of lining his pockets along the way.

  Or was this the man’s strategy for escaping London and the watchful eye of the authorities? Was he actually offering to live there?

  Niall went to lean against one of the bookcases. “But I understand that you have a close-knit circle of friends here in town, and we wouldn’t wish to deprive them of your company.”

  “Oh no, I wouldn’t reside at Camden Hall,” he said hastily. “I’d simply make occasional visits there to take care of affairs. As you say, I wouldn’t want to leave my friends.”

  And his counterfeiting operation? “Are these the same two who will be at the card game tonight?”

  “Oh, there are a few more in my circle. But there’s a fashionable affair tonight, so we’re short of players.” He rolled his eyes. “You know these younger fello
ws. Can’t keep up their fun without rich wives, so Pitford and Dunsleigh are going to the Duke of Lyons’s ball to see what young ladies they might hunt up.”

  According to Fulkham, Lord Pitford was a notorious wastrel and Lord Dunsleigh was a pup with a dandy’s love of extravagant cravat knots. The undersecretary didn’t consider either of them serious contenders, but wasn’t ruling out anyone.

  Niall was rather surprised that the duke had invited the two fortune hunters. From what he’d heard, though, Lyons’s annual ball was a large affair attended by an enormous crowd. Perhaps he and the duchess had needed more men to partner their female guests.

  Which might be why . . . “I was invited to that as well,” Niall said. Mother had been over the moon about it.

  “My aunt and I were also planning to attend,” Bree put in.

  Of course they were invited. Bree’s dowry made her eminently eligible.

  Sir Oswald eyed Niall with alarm. “But you ain’t going, are you, Margrave? It’ll be a tedious affair—nothing more than a marriage mart. And now that you’re engaged, you have no need for such. Besides, you did say you’d be my partner at whist tonight.”

  “Whether I attend the ball depends very much on your lovely daughter. Considering that she and I are both invited—”

  “Pish-posh, she can go with her aunt. From what I saw of Lady Pensworth at Brilliana’s wedding, she’s dragon enough to hold any untoward fellows at bay.”

  Niall couldn’t believe that a man who’d been estranged from his daughter for years could be so dismissive of her desires once she’d finally deigned to visit him again. “Yes, well, I do enjoy dancing with my fiancée.”

  “But fashionable couples never attend the same affairs,” her father complained.

  “The newly betrothed ones generally do,” Niall snapped, then caught himself. He was supposed to be insinuating himself into Sir Oswald’s circles, not teaching the arse how to treat his daughter properly. “But if Bre . . . Brilliana doesn’t mind . . .” He trailed off with a glance that he hoped she would interpret correctly.

  “It’s fine,” she said swiftly. “My aunt and I can attend and make your excuses while you play cards with Papa.” Then she went on in a tone that bore the perfect blend of concern and wariness typical of a woman marrying a fortune hunter, “But you won’t lose too much, will you, my dear?”