Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love)

by Hutton, Callie

  Oh, Mother. Perhaps she had ignored the gossip about the number of mistresses Cousin Eunice’s father had kept all the years of his marriage. That was not the sort of thing her father would do, and that should mean more to a wife than a man’s title.

  “But Father loves you. He gives you everything you want. Doesn’t that make you happy?”

  Mother dismissed years of pleasant conjugality with one sweep of her arm. “What would have made me happy was marrying a man with a title. Like my sisters.” With a great deal of enthusiasm, Mother tugged her earrings out and tossed them on the dressing table. “And then their two daughters married titles, too.”

  “Eunice and Cousin Grace?”

  “Why do you keep questioning me? You know precisely of whom I speak. I do not see much of Grace, with all those children she’s popping out every year, but Eunice has always lorded it over me.” Mother glared at her through the mirror on her dresser.

  Suzanna’s patience snapped. “That is so untrue! Cousin Eunice is one of the nicest and most unpretentious women I know. She has done everything to make me feel welcomed and at home.”

  Her mother’s lip curled. “You don’t see what I see, my dear.”

  Sometimes her mother could be absolutely wretched. Realizing the conversation was going nowhere, and faced with the beginning of a megrim, Suzanna asked to be excused.

  Mother turned. “Unfasten me. That useless maid must have gone to bed already. I will give her a tongue lashing in the morning.”

  Suzanna diligently undid the long row of buttons on her mother’s gown and unlaced her stays. “May I be excused now?”

  “Yes, find your bed. But remember what I said.”

  Lying in her bed now, Suzanna blew out a deep breath. The Giles she’d come to know over the past weeks was nothing if not tenacious. Even though they hadn’t been able to spend any more time together once Mother tugged her away at the end of the waltz and presented her to Lord Ambrose—like a prize on a platter—Suzanna worried that Giles would do something very soon to cause an uproar.

  …

  Giles tugged on the cuffs of his jacket, then dropped the knocker on the front door of the Montfords’s townhouse. It mattered not that Suzanna had told him her father would not allow anyone without a title to request permission to court her. From what he’d seen of the man, he seemed a devoted husband and father. Certainly, any father would be delighted to know his daughter was being courted by a wealthy man who loved her to distraction and would provide well for her.

  Even though there was a wager between them, he felt no qualms at helping along his side, since he planned to send the money to the orphanage anyway.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Templeton. Shall I tell Miss Blake you are calling?” Jamie stepped back, allowing Giles to enter.

  “I would like to speak with Mr. Blake, if he is available.” Giles held out his card to the man.

  If Jamie was surprised by his request, as all good butlers, he did not show it. “Certainly. If you will follow me to the library, I will see if Mr. Blake is accepting callers.”

  Giles entered the library and strolled to the window while he awaited Suzanna’s father.

  He’d thought about rehearsing what he wanted to say but decided forthright speaking directly from the heart was the best way to present himself to his future father-in-law.

  As Mr. Blake entered, Giles was reminded that the man was not an imposing figure, but looked rather like a soft-spoken, easy-of-manner man. He walked across the room and held out his hand. “Mr. Templeton? I don’t believe we’ve spoken, although I remember you from the day we arrived.”

  Giles shook his hand. “Yes, sir. I was present that day. I had hoped to speak with you last evening at the Eversons’ ball, but we ended up in different rooms.”

  “Not a card player, are you?”

  “Yes. On occasion. Last night I chose to pass on the games.”

  Mr. Blake waved to a chair in a small grouping in front of the fireplace. “Won’t you have a seat? Would you care for some brandy, or I can ring for tea?”

  Keeping a clear head, and making a good impression uppermost in his mind, he said, “Thank you, no.”

  Once they were both settled, Mr. Blake sat back in his chair, resting his hands on the arms. “What can I do for you, Templeton?”

  “I have come to request permission to court Miss Blake.” There, it was out. No fussing, no hedging, just straight out.

  To Giles surprise, Mr. Blake did not seem surprised. His face remained passive, and putting his fingertips together, he tapped on his lips and continued to study him for a few moments. “I am sorry to disappoint you, young man, but I am afraid I cannot grant you the permission you seek.”

  Well, that certainly didn’t take a whole lot of time and thought.

  “May I ask why not?”

  “First of all, I know nothing about you.”

  Giles dipped his head in understanding. “You are right. I apologize for neglecting to begin my conversation in the correct manner. I am the third son of the Earl of Wexford. I have an estate in Bedfordshire next to the Abbey—the Duke of Bedford’s estate. My land and home were granted to me, along with a generous income, by my maternal grandparents. I have turned that income into enough money to provide well for a wife and as many children that appear for the rest of our lives.

  “I also have a townhouse here in London. I do not gamble or drink to excess. My name has not been linked to any scandals, and although I have had my share of liaisons, it is my full intention to remain true to my marriage vows when I take a wife.”

  Mr. Blake merely nodded with Giles’s comments, then said, “Why my daughter? Surely someone as settled as you, with your wealth and good looks, must be quite the catch.”

  Stunned by that esoteric remark, he said, “Perhaps. However, it has always been my intention to love the woman I marry. That has never happened, until I met Miss Blake.”

  The man stood and walked to the sideboard and poured a brandy. He turned and held up the bottle. “Are you sure?”

  Giles shook his head, hoping he was speaking of the brandy, and not his claim to love Suzanna.

  Once Mr. Blake was settled in his chair, he took a sip of the brandy and viewed him over the rim of the glass. Giles refused to be intimidated if that was the man’s objective. He had every intention of obtaining permission to court Suzanna.

  “Young man, it has always been Mrs. Blake’s plan for my daughter to marry a man with a title. I have no reason to believe Suzanna disagrees with her mother. While you seem like a nice sort of fellow, I suggest you turn your attentions elsewhere.”

  If he’d meant to dismiss him, he did not know the man to whom he spoke. Giles gathered his thoughts, and then striking a casual pose, looked Mr. Blake in the eyes. “With all due respect, Mr. Blake, I must disagree with you. I have spent some—well-chaperoned—time with Miss Blake, and we seem to get on quite well.”

  Before Suzanna’s father was able to offer a retort, Giles continued, “I have every reason to believe Miss Blake would be quite receptive to my request to court her.”

  Mr. Blake sighed and placed his now-empty glass on a small table in from of him. “Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. Mrs. Blake will not allow our daughter to marry anyone who does not possess a title. I have found over the years if I wish a peaceful household, agreeing with my wife is generally in my best interest. With that in mind, I cannot approve your request to court Suzanna.”

  Fighting to control himself faced with such absurdity, Giles reined in his temper, knowing it would not serve his purpose to grab the man by the throat and throttle him. “Does your daughter not have a say in her future, then?”

  “Come now, young man. You are fully aware of how marriages are determined among the Quality. Very few ladies, or gentlemen, have a choice. But, nevertheless, things always work out in the end.” He stood, announcing their interview was over.

  Giles followed Mr. Blake from the library to the entrance hall, where the
older man gave him a slap on the back. “Find yourself a nice young lady who isn’t aiming quite as high as Mrs. Blake.” Giles did not imagine the brief flash of sadness on the man’s face.

  He took his hat from the butler and left the house. As he made his way down the stairs, he turned and looked up at the window. Almost as if he knew she would be there, Suzanna looked down at him, her hand pressed against the glass.

  Don’t worry, my love. I am not giving up.

  …

  Suzanna watched Giles as he strode away from the house. There was no doubt in her mind that he had called on her father to request permission to pay her his attentions. The only question remaining was if Father would tell her mother about the visit. She held no hope that he had said yes.

  She sighed and turned from the window. Tonight was another ball. Mother had already been in to see her, to make sure her gown for the evening was suitable to “catch a lord.” At this point, all Suzanna wanted to do was stay in her room or return to the country.

  There remained no reason for her to continue with the blasted Season. Obviously, Father had not given Giles permission to court her, and even the most stalwart of men would not pursue a woman whose parents were so adamant about her future. Mother would spend the rest of their time in London shoving her from one titled gentleman to the next, until she finally received an offer.

  A light tap at the door drew her attention from her musings. She padded across the room and opened the door to Cousin Eunice.

  “May I come in? I thought you might want some company.” Eunice offered her a soft smile as she placed her arm around her shoulders. “Come, let us talk for a bit.”

  “You know?” Suzanna said as they sat on the settee in front of the window.

  Eunice took her hands in hers. “Yes. I’ve known for some time that you are enamored with Mr. Templeton, as he is with you. I also know your mother is quite determined to see you as a titled lady.”

  Tears sprang to Suzanna’s eyes unbidden. “Oh, dear, I’m afraid I’m about to make a cake of myself.”

  Eunice handed her a handkerchief. “I just saw Mr. Templeton leave after speaking with your father. He didn’t look pleased.”

  “I am not surprised. I told Giles—um, Mr. Templeton—that Father would not grant him permission to court me. But he refused to listen.”

  “A man rarely hears anything that goes against his determination to have the woman he loves. And, from what I’ve seen, Mr. Templeton is very much in love with you, Suzanna.”

  Suzanna pulled her hand away from Eunice’s and began to pace. “I don’t know what to do. In the short time she’s been here, Mother has thrown me into the path of several men who appeal to her but leave me cold.”

  “I wish I could offer a solution, but aside from running off to Gretna Green, I’m afraid your Mother will have her way.”

  Suzanna sat again. “It is unfair. There is so much more to a man than his title. Too many lords I know are drinkers, gamblers, and libertines. A great deal of marriages are merely two people living in the same house—in some cases, not even that—while they each carry on with lovers.”

  Eunice smiled. “As a young gentlewoman, you are not supposed to know about such things.”

  “I am not blind. Nor stupid.” Suzanna hopped up again and strode to the window, pushing the drape aside to look down at the street. Sometimes she wished she was simply a merchant’s daughter, or a seamstress, or governess. Then she would have more say in her marriage, and not have to marry to raise her parents’ status.

  Soon it would be time to dress for dinner and then attend the Robinsons’ ball. Would Giles be there? He knew she would be attending. Or had he given up after speaking with her father?

  She dropped the drape and returned to where Eunice stood shaking out her skirts. “I must dress for dinner. I will attend the Robinsons’ ball this evening. I assume your mother and father are attending also?”

  Suzanna gave a very unladylike snort. “Unless Mother is near death, she would not miss attending any event where she can drag more titled gentlemen into my path. It is becoming downright humiliating the way she behaves.”

  Eunice patted her cheek. “Don’t give up yet, Suzanna. I have a feeling that young man of yours is not about to surrender.” She gave her a light kiss on her cheek and turned to leave the room but stopped. “I am sorry to inform you that your mother has declined the invitation Mr. Templeton offered to you for the theater.”

  “But that invitation was also to you and Lord Montford!”

  “We will attend another time. I don’t want to make things any more difficult for your young man.”

  After a bath and assistance from Eunice’s lady’s maid, Bessie, Suzanna pulled on her gloves, picked up her fan and shawl, and left the room. She had elected to have a dinner tray brought up, not feeling very sociable.

  She had expected Father to summon her after Giles had left, but he hadn’t. Now she felt a knot growing in her stomach as she descended the stairs. Most certainly, Father had told Mother about Giles’s visit, and no doubt Suzanna would be subjected to another harangue in the carriage on the way to the ball.

  Father was assisting Mother with her wrap as Suzanna descended the stairs. Mother turned and viewed her with narrowed eyes. “I have a few things to say to you in the carriage, young lady, but, since Lady Montford will be joining us, I will hold my tongue.”

  Suzanna nodded and moved to take her father’s arm. “However,” Mother continued as she took his other arm, “you know precisely what I have to speak with you about. You are to forget Mr. Templeton’s visit here today. You will ignore him at the ball, and you will make yourself pleasant and charming with the other gentlemen there.”

  “You mean all the titled gentlemen.”

  If Mother recognized her statement as sarcasm, she did not acknowledge it. Instead, she swept through the door, her head held high.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Giles watched the guests as they were announced by the butler and then made their way down the stairs. He’d been waiting at the Robinsons’ ball for some time for Suzanna to arrive.

  He was still fuming from the meeting with Mr. Blake earlier in the day. While the man had been courteous and friendly, his absolute refusal to allow him to court Suzanna was a surprise. Even though Suzanna had told him of her mother’s wishes, he did not truly believe parents would be so set on something that they put their own desires ahead of their daughter’s happiness.

  “Why so serious, Templeton?” Cam’s voice came from behind him. Giles turned to see him and Hawk grinning. “You look as though you intend to devour the next person down the steps.”

  Giles shook his head. “Not devour, as much as abscond and escape.”

  Hawk grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing footman and handed one to Giles. “Ah, methinks our friend here is having woman issues.”

  Giles took a gulp of the drink. “Indeed.”

  “I hate to be an ‘I told you so’ type of friend, but we did warn you way back at Bedford’s wedding that the illustrious Miss Blake would settle for only a title.” Hawk regarded him with raised eyebrows. “Are you certain you want to pursue a woman with those requirements?”

  “I have come to find out that it is not Miss Blake’s wishes, but her parents. Specifically, her mother, who wants a title for her daughter.”

  “Bugger that,” Cam said. “Too many mamas are of the same opinion. But one would think a gentleman with money and connections would do quite well for their little darlings.”

  Giles downed the rest of his drink. “I even bearded the lion in his own den earlier today. I went to speak with her father.”

  “From your morose demeanor, that did not go well?” Cam asked.

  “He refused my request to court her,” Giles snapped. “No amount of logical, persuasive discourse would change his mind. The man is obviously under his wife’s thumb.”

  “It sounds as though you are in a bad spot, my friend.” Hawk leaned his shoulder
against the wall and regarded him. “What is your next move?”

  “I am not giving up.”

  “No one who knows you would expect that,” Cam said.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Blake. Miss Suzanna Blake.” The insipid tone of the butler rose above the noise of the crowd. At least to Giles’s ears. He turned to see Suzanna and her parents making their way down the stairs to join the guests on the ballroom floor.

  “There is your lady love.” Hawk nodded in Suzanna’s direction.

  “Yes. Flanked by her parents, guarded better than Prinny himself.” Cam slapped Giles on the back. “Good luck with your pursuit. If you need help, Hawk and I will be in the card room.”

  His two friends headed out of the ballroom, while Giles continued to watch Suzanna. Bounded by her parents on either side, Suzanna kept her head up, a smile pasted on her face. A fake smile.

  There was probably no reason to approach her to ask for a dance, since it would be denied. He turned on his heel to catch up with Hawk and Cam. They had just entered the card room when he reached them. “Hawk, do me a favor. Cam, you also.”

  The men turned, casting him questioning looks.

  “Please find Miss Blake and request a dance. You don’t need an introduction, since you met at Bedford’s wedding. Then when your dance comes, fetch her, then hand her over to me.”

  “You think her mother won’t notice? You really have gone mad.”

  “She may or may not notice. However, even if she does, she won’t make a scene by dragging Suzanna off.”

  “Perhaps not, but have you thought about the consequences to your lady when they leave here?” Hawk shook his head. “Not a good idea, my man.”

  “Fine. Then one of you request a dance, and the other engage her mother in conversation to keep her from staring at her daughter every minute. I have to talk to her.”

  His two friends looked at each other. “I will.” Cam started for the door, then turned with a smirk. “You won’t challenge me if I request a waltz, will you?”