Page 105 of Lady Gambit
Why else would the modiste be so desperate to find it?
“Erm … yes. It belonged to my grandmother.”
That was clearly a lie. Miss Darrow’s eyes darted about in their sockets. She had been jittery all day, though Theo didn’t help matters. He watched the modiste over the rim of his glass, his angelic blue eyes hiding wicked intentions.
The lady hurried away when Aaron joined them.
“It comes as a relief to know I have such a negative effect on women.” As if controlled by the power of the tides, Aaron’s traitorous gaze drifted to Miss Lovelace. “Your husband has made a wager with Aramis. He’ll lose, of course.”
“Dorian is remarkably astute.” She looked at the magnificent man she’d married, lust’s coil tightening in her stomach at the thought of them making love tonight. “What was the wager?”
“Based on the fact Daventry is encouraging Theo’s game with Miss Darrow, I wagered he’d be married by the autumn. Doubtless they’ll both drag us to hell and back first. Lord knows what the woman is hiding.”
“What did Dorian wager?” she said, feigning ignorance.
Dorian had mentioned his prediction days ago, which is why she had argued with Aaron and insisted Miss Lovelace receive a wedding invitation.
“Flynn thinks I’ll be married by Christmas.” Aaron gave a cynical snort. “Do I look like a man who would tolerate a wife? I’ll not have a woman in my home, disturbing my sanity. Perhaps it’s time I took a mistress.”
“No!” She coughed to hide the rising panic. Taking a mistress would ruin any hope of him making an alliance with Miss Lovelace. “How would you have time? You rarely leave Fortune’s Den and swore you’d never mix business with pleasure.”
“I need a way of wiping the arrogant grin off your husband’s face. Perhaps I’ll find a reason to fight him in the ring.”
“Lay a hand on him again and I shall put a toad in your bed.”
“A toad?” Aaron laughed, the rare sound capturing Miss Lovelace’s attention. “You’re not twelve, Delphine. Besides, I happen to like toads. Almost as much as I like your husband. Flynn is the sensible brother I never had.”
Aaron never praised anyone.
The compliment proved promising.
“Dorian has had quite a lonely life,” she said, her heart so full of love it might burst. “Being part of a large family will be good for him.”
Aaron knocked back his champagne. “I saw his father enter the church. I’m surprised he’s not here, dominating the conversation.”
So was she.
Thus, she had sent Briggs to Mayfair with a note.
“Healing past wounds is a lengthy process.” They had to focus on taking one step at a time. “Neither knows how best to proceed, but it’s important to move in the right direction.”
“Some wounds never heal,” he said gravely.
“The right ointment can work wonders.” She hoped Miss Lovelace was the salve Aaron needed to put the past behind him. Overcoming his stubborn streak was the first hurdle to lasting happiness.
Kingsley appeared. The butler cleared his throat and said quietly, “You have a visitor, ma’am. I took the liberty of asking his lordship to wait in the library.”
Her heart shot to her throat. The earl had come? Now she had to find the strength to confront him with the truth. “Thank you, Kingsley. I shall be right there.”
“Good luck,” Aaron teased. “I believe you’ll need it.”
“I watched a lunatic creep out of a cupboard and point a pistol at my face. I can cope with the earl’s gruff temper. Say nothing to Dorian. I don’t want to dash his hopes.”
She left Aaron and slipped out into the hall. After taking a few calming breaths, she stole into the library to find the Earl of Retford admiring a painting of a racehorse.
“My lord.” She dropped into a demure curtsey. “I trust you received my note. Forgive me, had you remained at the church, I would have extended an invitation.”
The earl’s cheeks coloured. “I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome.” He glanced at the plush furnishings and shelves of leather-bound books. “If my son wanted me here, he would have given me his address years ago.”
