Page 20 of The Baron Takes a Bet
Gavin’s eyes shifted to Holly’s, and she silently cursed. She wondered if she would ever not have a headache where her brother was concerned.
“I see. Well, I’m sorry to inform you, but Mr. Smyth left several days ago to return to Eton. He hasn’t been here for nearly a week.”
The old man’s eyes bulged.
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“I’m very sorry, Mr. Mannion,” Holly said slowly. “But my brother did return to school.”
“He was in my very parlor, the night before last!”
“Even if he had been,” Gavin began, his tone growing sterner. “I find it hard to believe a youth like Jasper would have the talent to defile your daughter, with your wife only a few steps away, in under fifteen minutes, without your wife being any the wiser until this morning.”
“I demand that he be held accountable!”
“I don’t see what you could possibly want,” Holly said.
“Well, now, I’m not an unreasonable man, as you well know, Miss Smyth,” Mr. Mannion said, shaking a finger once more at Holly. “But I cannot let such an injustice pass without restitution.”
“Put. Your finger. Down, Mr. Mannion,” Gavin said with a hint of threat in his tone. The man dropped his hand to his side instantly and Holly felt a bloom of warmth in her chest. She ignored it. “And she isn’t Miss Smyth. She’s a baroness and should be addressed as such.” He glanced at her. “Isn’t that correct?”
Holly swallowed, uncomfortably aware that Gavin had left out “dowager.” If they were going to let everyone believe that she truly had married John and not Gavin, then that would make her thedowagerbaroness. She should correct him, but then it wouldn’t be an honest correction. She was technically married to Gavin, so the title of baroness was accurate.
Perhaps she should merely ignore it and move on.
“Yes,” Holly said softly, before looking to Mr. Mannion. “And what restitution would you be looking for?”
“Well, only what’s owed to me. Perhaps, your farm? Trivial, really, compared to the injustices my family has suffered, but again, I am not an unreasonable man,” Mannion said, his tone dropping. “Is it not in your brother’s possession yet?”
Holly felt a sickening feeling settling in her stomach. So that is what this was all about. Wishing to be rid of this meddling man once and for all, she squared her shoulders and held her chin up high.
“Unfortunately, we sold the manor, Mr. Mannion,” Holly said, stepping forward. “Day before last.”
She ignored the curious looks from her sister and Gavin.
“Sold it?” The old man scoffed. “To whom?”
“I’m afraid I cannot disclose that, but we had to. To pay off Jasper’s debts, you see.”
“…Debts?”
“Yes. Massive debts, I’m afraid. He’s a terrible spendthrift, my brother. And gambler too, actually, but not a very good one.”
“Holly—”
“There’s no need to hide it, Katrina,” Holly said, turning back to Mr. Mannion. “We shan’t stand in the way of Jasper and Mr. Mannion’s daughter. If you insist upon this marriage, Mr. Mannion, I’m sure I can convince my brother. No doubt they will be able to spend your daughter’s dowery on a least a portion ofhis debts. Lord knows the money we earned from selling Felton Manor barely covered a quarter of it—”
“Um, well, now, let’s not be too hasty,” the old man said, suddenly holding up his hands. “I’m sure there has been a mistake.”
“Oh?” Holly said with feigned interest.
“Yes. Yes, as you said, my lord,” Mr. Mannion said, addressing Gavin. “Mr. Smyth couldn’t possibly have ruined my daughter in just fifteen minutes, with my wife so near at hand no less. In fact, I believe this to be one of my daughter’s imaginative stories.” He took a step backwards. “Yes. Yes, that’s it and I would greatly appreciate it if everyone here could feign ignorance of her silly claim.”
Holly smiled sweetly at him.
“Of course,” she said as Mr. Mannion quickly left.
Katrina immediately came up to her sister.
