Page 63 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“My pleasure,” he said, taking her hand to bow over it. “It was an interesting evening, my lady. I’m glad to have finally met you.”
“You as well,” she said with a dip of her chin.
Looking across the room, Holly saw Gavin’s dark face, glaring at the earl’s back as he moved away from her. Unease rattled throughout her body. Was he upset with her for declaring outright, in a room full of people, that they would indeed remain married?
But if he was upset, why hadn’t he said something? Was it just because he was too good a person to make her out to look like a fool in front of their friends? Oh, what a mess she made. Why had Marnie opened her mouth? And why had Holly risen to the bait?
Never in Holly’s life had she met a more disagreeable person. She certainly had a high opinion of herself, which would have been bearable if that was her only flaw, but how she spoke about Gavin had bothered Holly greatly. She made it seem like she was somehow a presence in his life. She practically demanded compensation for raising him, but wasn’t that what the family was supposed to do? Holly had done it, and never once had it ever crossed her mind to seek payment from either of her siblings for doing so. Family took care of family. That was it. But Marnie had seemingly done so out of spite.
Holly couldn’t figure it out. Why hadn’t John not fought harder for his nephew? Indeed, he had to know what sort of woman his sister was. Holly wondered if there wasn’t some sort of letter stored somewhere detailing the situation regarding Gavin’s guardianship when it suddenly hit her.
His diaries.
John had kept extensively detailed accounts of his activities for all his life. Perhaps something was written in those journals that could better explain why he had given up Gavin to his sister.
As the carriage arrived back at Bairnsdale Terrace, Holly, Katrina, and Gavin exited and entered. Holly was sure Gavin was following her and her sister, but when they reached the second landing on the staircase, she saw he wasn’t behind them. Deflated somewhat, she tried to hide her worry and retired to her room where Anne was waiting to help undress her.
Reaching around her neck, Holly unclipped the pearl and emerald choker Anne had brought earlier that evening. It had been part of a small collection of jewelry that had been giftedto her upon her arrival. The pearl and emerald parure set also included a bracelet, ring, and a pair of earbobs, though Holly had only opted to wear the necklace, which she now placed into a small rosewood box.
The evening had been a success, particularly for Katrina, who had managed to impress and withstand the company of some of the most powerful men in the realm, and Holly couldn’t have been more pleased.
Except for the tension that had grown between her and Gavin since dinner.
Holly sighed as she stared into the fireplace. She hadn’t meant to make such a proclamation, but Marnie had been so sure that she and Gavin didn’t suit that Holly’s spite got the better of her, and she had spoken without thinking, simply to hush the woman up. But Gavin’s eyes later that night when she spoke with Trembley told her he wasn’t pleased with her. And he was well within his right to be upset. It wasn’t fair for her to say such a thing without discussing it first. He likely wasn’t too thrilled to be saddled with a wife he had hoped to be rid of by the end of the season.
Still, Holly was surprised when he came through the door that connected their rooms. She knew he would want to discuss her outburst, but she had assumed he would wait until the morning. Seeing the displeasure on his face made her stiffen her spine.
“Holly—”
“I know it wasn’t my place to say that,” she said quickly before he could start. She held up her hands to stop him from talking. “But I didn’t know what else to do. I know she is your aunt, but I don’t think that gives her the right to air our business the way she did. And while I spoke in haste, everything I said is the truth, isn’t it?” She spoke quickly. “Without a notice from the Catholic church, our marriage cannot be annulled. And whoknows how long that will take? Months? Years? Are we to live, married, for a decade before either of us are permitted to move on? So, while I should have discussed it with you first, before announcing it to everyone, I don’t believe anything I said was technically wrong.”
Gavin watched her, his brow creased.
“You’ve… Wait a moment. That’s not what I wish to discuss.”
Holly tilted her head.
“It’s not?”
“No.”
“Then what do you wish to discuss?”
“I want to know what you were talking about with Trembley.”
Holly blinked. That was unexpected. What could her silly conversation with Trembley matter compared to the fact that she had effectively decided, without so much as a word from Gavin, to remain married?
“I beg your pardon?” she asked with a frown.
“After dinner, you were speaking with Trembley in the parlor. About something private, I assume. I would like to know what it was about.”
“Oh,” Holly said, her cheeks warming beneath his gaze. “Why do you wish to know?” She had hoped to be able to present the candies to him as a surprise.
To her surprise, Gavin’s nostrils flared slightly as he began to pace, arms held behind his back.
“I should have guessed, although I must say, he’s got some nerve.”
“Who? Trembley?”
