Page 72 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Nonsense. You may not be graduating from Eton but you just said you were good with numbers. In the meantime, figure out how long you wish to be away for, but plan for a short return in at least six months. It’ll be easier on Holly to know you intend to come home, at least to visit.”
“Are you serious?”
“Very much so. And I hope your penmanship is up to snuff. You’ll be writing both Holly and Katrina daily.”
Jasper’s mouth tightened, and he looked like he was considering something.
“I would still like to sell Felton Manor. I have my debts, you understand.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“As well as a membership that wants paying.”
That caught Gavin’s attention.
“What membership?”
“To Clemet Club.”
“Clemet Club?” Gavin repeated, his brow rising. “Why on earth are you muddling around with that place?”
“After I was kicked out of White’s, I went to one of the taverns around that way. I saw a card game going on and managed to get myself into play. It turned out, one of the players was the proprietor to the Clemet Club, Mr. Kilmann himself.” Jasper puffed out his chest proudly. “He offered me a year membership, due to how well I was playing.”
Gavin stared at the young man. Was he so unaware of those who would take advantage of him?
“Kilmann isn’t the sort of man to be trifled with, Jasper. He’s dangerous and will likely end you if you aren’t able to pay your debts. Why he’s offered you a membership to his club when you’re already in debt is beyond me—”
“Well, that’s it. I told him Felton Manor was as good as sold. I was just waiting on the money to be delivered.”
Gavin’s mouth nearly dropped.
“Have you gone mad? Lying to a man like Kilmann will get you murdered.”
“But you just said I should sell Felton Manor,” Jasper said defiantly.
“I did, but I didn’t tell a lie about it. Especially not to one of London’s most notorious gamblers.” Gavin shook his head, increasingly unsure if his original intent to help his brother-in-law was correct. “Listen, I want you to stay here. Don’t go outand certainly don’t go to the Clemet Club until the sale of Felton Manor is complete. Do you understand?”
“But who’s going to buy it?”
“Leave that to me,” Gavin said. “In the meantime, just stay put and don’t go making waves.” Jasper looked like he might want to argue, but then he smartly nodded. “Now all I have to do is somehow convince your sister that this is the best option.”
“Good luck. She’ll never willingly give up the manor. She’s so damn sure that if she can hold onto it, she might be able to turn back time and be happy. But there’s no use.”
His words caught Gavin off balance.
“What do you mean, be happy?”
“Don’t you see it? She’s miserable.”
“Surely not.”
“Well, not since you’ve been around, I suppose. But before, she was always worried and miserable. I know your uncle set up this whole, proxy marriage thing, but if I were you I’d be furious to be linked to someone who’s so tightly wound.”
“Your sister isn’t tightly wound,” Gavin said more annoyed than he intended. “She’s strained and working against to wind when it comes to her family,” he said pointedly. “But she’s smart and resilient and far stronger than you give her credit for.”
For a long moment Jasper remained silent. Gavin turned, wondering if he should leave soon when his brother-in-law spoke. “Do you really care about her?”
Gavin turned back to face him.
