Page 38 of The Pleasures of Passion
If so, she hid it well. In light of her behavior years ago, Niall found that odd. She should be using this situation to draw him in, get him in her snare again.
Unless she was playing a longer, more subtle game. “I know thatIam delighted,” he said smoothly, wondering how to press the man for more information about Trevor’s relationship to Bree.
“Excellent, excellent.” Calculation gleamed in the old fellow’s eyes. “And speaking of my daughter’s late husband and his property, I was wondering what you plan to do about Camden Hall. Obviously, you and Brilliana will live at Margrave Manor.”
Camden Hall? What the blazes?
Before Niall could even think how to answer, a voice came from the doorway. “We haven’t settled all those details yet, Papa. We only just became engaged.”
As Bree entered, Niall couldn’t help thinking again how lovely she was, how poised and perfect. Tamping down an irrational jealousy of the late Reynold Trevor, he rose, though he noted that her father didn’t bother with such a courtesy.
Instead, Sir Oswald settled back against his chair like a man sure of controlling his domain. “Ah, there you are, daughter. I’m merely saying that something must be done about your late husband’s estate.”
“Not mylate husband’sestate,” she said testily. “Silas’s. And his lordship and I will deal with that as we see fit.”
Though this engagement was all for show, Niall understood her outrage. But discussing it might give them more insight into Sir Oswald’s current financial situation and future plans, which Niall needed if he was to pursue this investigation.
With a glance for Bree that he hoped she would read asLet me take the lead, Niall offered her his chair before facing her father. “Still, I’m sure we’re both curious to know your thoughts concerning Camden Hall, sir.”
Just as he’d hoped, her father puffed out his chest. “Since my own property in the country is presently being leased by a gentleman, I’d be happy to help manage my daughter’s. It would be better for you to have a member of the family doing that than some stranger, like one of those hired estate managers.”
As Bree bristled, Niall laid a restraining hand on her shoulder. “That’s a very generous offer, sir.” And no doubt the scoundrel had some idea of lining his pockets along the way.
Or was this the man’s strategy for escaping London and the watchful eye of the authorities? Was he actually offering tolivethere?
Niall went to lean against one of the bookcases. “But I understand that you have a close-knit circle of friends here in town, and we wouldn’t wish to deprive them of your company.”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t reside at Camden Hall,” he said hastily. “I’d simply make occasional visits there to take care of affairs. As you say, I wouldn’t want to leave my friends.”
And his counterfeiting operation? “Are these the same two who will be at the card game tonight?”
“Oh, there are a few more in my circle. But there’s a fashionable affair tonight, so we’re short of players.” He rolled his eyes. “You know these younger fellows. Can’t keep up their fun without rich wives, so Pitford and Dunsleigh are going to the Duke of Lyons’s ball to see what young ladies they might hunt up.”
According to Fulkham, Lord Pitford was a notorious wastrel and Lord Dunsleigh was a pup with a dandy’s love of extravagant cravat knots. The undersecretary didn’t consider either of them serious contenders, but wasn’t ruling out anyone.
Niall was rather surprised that the duke had invited the two fortune hunters. From what he’d heard, though, Lyons’s annual ball was a large affair attended by an enormous crowd. Perhaps he and the duchess had needed more men to partner their female guests.
Which might be why . . . “I was invited to that as well,” Niall said. Mother had been over the moon about it.
“My aunt and I were also planning to attend,” Bree put in.
Of coursetheywere invited. Bree’s dowry made her eminently eligible.
Sir Oswald eyed Niall with alarm. “But you ain’tgoing, are you, Margrave? It’ll be a tedious affair—nothing more than a marriage mart. And now that you’re engaged, you have no need for such. Besides, you did say you’d be my partner at whist tonight.”
“Whether I attend the ball depends very much on your lovely daughter. Considering that she and I are both invited—”
“Pish-posh, she can go with her aunt. From what I saw of Lady Pensworth at Brilliana’s wedding, she’s dragon enough to hold any untoward fellows at bay.”
Niall couldn’t believe that a man who’d been estranged from his daughter for years could be so dismissive of her desires once she’d finally deigned to visit him again. “Yes, well, I do enjoy dancing with my fiancée.”
“But fashionable couples never attend the same affairs,” her father complained.
“The newly betrothed ones generally do,” Niall snapped, then caught himself. He was supposed to be insinuating himself into Sir Oswald’s circles, not teaching the arse how to treat his daughter properly. “But if Bre . . . Brilliana doesn’t mind . . .” He trailed off with a glance that he hoped she would interpret correctly.
“It’s fine,” she said swiftly. “My aunt and I can attend and make your excuses while you play cards with Papa.” Then she went on in a tone that bore the perfect blend of concern and wariness typical of a woman marrying a fortune hunter, “But you won’t losetoomuch, will you, my dear?”
Ah, very good. She was getting into the spirit of the thing. Best to make him seem reckless from the beginning.
