Page 5 of Too Wylde To Tame
That was not at all what he’d meant. While the particulars of the marriage bed were somewhat of a mystery to her, Charity was well aware that her sister and brother-in-law were viewed by on and all as a passionate love match. Whatever that meant. But anything, even if it meant imposing on their privacy a bit, would be preferable to returning to her parents. “I can’t see that Mother and Father would have any reason to disagree.”
Felicity clapped with delight and exclaimed, “That is the perfect answer!”
“It could work,” Charity agreed, feeling a spark of hope. “And I do seem to be somewhat lost in the crowd here. Can you invite the least appealing young ladies amongst theTon? Please?”
“You may consider it done,” Phinneas replied as a solemn promise.
* * *
Jameson Dartwell watchedwallflower that was his target with barely concealed disdain. How dare she reject him! A girl in her shoes ought to be grateful for his attentions, he thought. For anyone’s attentions, really. Oh, she was pretty enough, he supposed. Though she hardly stood out in the crowd. And her figure was a bit fuller than he liked.
He muttered a word under his breath that made a woman near him gasp. It hardly mattered. Half of theTonalready considered him beyond redemption. Scandalizing a society matron with his foul language would hardly be the offense that wrecked him entirely.
“Turned you down, did she?”
Jameson glanced over his shoulder to see Ollie standing just behind him wearing an expression that conveyed he was already enjoying his victory. With narrowed eyes and a hint of steel in his voice, Jameson replied, “It isn’t over yet. I have time to pursue the match and win her over.”
“So you do,” Ollie agreed. “But she may not be in town for the duration of it. Someone informed me that they happened to overhear her conversation with her sister and Merrick. They mean to host a house party to find her a husband.. When the season is at its end, your pigeon will have flown off to Essex.”
He was sunk. Phinneas Merrick would never invite him to that party. He would also never be considered by that prig to be a suitable match for her. “Counting your coins already,” Jameson observed with more than a hint of accusation in his voice.
“Reconsidering the terms of our wager, actually… If you win her and walk away from her, I’ll give you the one hundred pounds. And if you manage to make her a complete scandal in the process, I’ll throw in an additional one hundred pounds. Let’s call it a bonus.”
Jameson cocked his head, considering the offer. “What precisely do you mean bywin her? Are we speaking of a seduction or an offer of something more?”
Ollie smiled. “I want you to court her openly. I want you to bow and scrape before her like a besotted fool. You will act as a man reformed by love. And once she’s ready to accept an offer from you, you will turn and walk away from her… leaving all of society to wonder what is so wrong with her that a man so in love would reject her out of hand.”
It was a stretch even for him. Jameson had played fast and loose with all the rules for a very long time, but intentional cruelty wasn’t something he indulged in without just cause. “Why do you hate her so much?”
“Oh, I don’t. It’s just a game, Dartwell… an experiment if you will.”
Jameson frowned. It was a lie. Obviously. Oliver Kent never did anything solely for amusement. There had to be some advantage in it. “Who is the subject… Miss Wylde or myself?”
Ollie grinned, but it was a cruel and wicked expression. “Both, of course.”
THREE
Frederick found him in the billiard room. “Randford,” he said in greeting.
“Welbey,” the man returned with a nod. They were of similar height, though Phinneas Merrick possessed a sturdier build than himself. He looked more like a brawler than a nobleman. As for himself, Frederick had a much leaner frame. In his youth, he’d been likened to a stick figure. Thankfully that had altered over time and he now tended more towards athletic than simply scrawny.
“Fancy a match?” If he could get the man to play billiards with him, ply him with a bit of brandy, perhaps he could manage to find out what he needed to know.
If Randford was surprised by the offer, he didn’t indicate it. Instead, his gaze remained steadfast and locked on him in an assessing manner. “I wasn’t aware that you played.”
Frederick went to the small rack and selected a cue. “I rarely do in public. I’m accomplished enough at it, but find that most other gentlemen want to play for money rather than love of the game. I’m not much for gambling, as you know.”
Randford nodded. “Indeed. Although the same cannot be said of your brother. He’s run afoul of several of the hells of late… In case you weren’t aware.”
Frederick bit back the curse he wanted to hurl at his brother’s head. “I’m aware. I’ve elected not to pay his debts this time. I feel letting Jameson bear the consequences of his actions will be far more educational than simply another lecture from me.”
Randford sighed wearily. “It’s a hell of a thing isn’t it? Being the head of a family.”
“That it is. Six points or shall we strive for 21?”
Randford picked up the red ball and placed it in the center of the table. “Why don’t we discuss whatever it is that prompted you to seek me out… When we get to six, I’ll decide if the conversation should progress further.”
Frederick admired the man’s directness. It was common knowledge that Randford was a good sort—an honorable sort. He hoped that others considered him such as well. But it was difficult. Even as the elder brother, he was somewhat overshadowed by Jameson’s wild ways. “I’ll be frank, as it seems you are a man who values such things. I wish to be introduced to your wife’s sister. I saw her tonight when she entered the ballroom and I was quite awestruck by her.”
