Page 34 of Scandalous Heiress
“You’re doing well at that bloody boring game.”
“Thanks,” he said as Ezzie came round to deliver her own ball.Edgecombe followed her.“Come to advise me on my form?”
“I think you need me.”Pinkie took a drink of his whisky.
“How so?”
“I’ve watched this little farce for four days.”George waggled a finger at Ada and Richard.
Victor’s indignation at his brother got the better of his wish to remain silent.“She’s not about to let Ridgemont win.”
“And you?”Pinkie took another swig.“Will you let him?”
Victor let out a breath.If Pinkie detected his interest, others would.His mother, given her dislike of American heiresses in general, would be the worst.That set his teeth on edge.
Pinkie drained his glass.“Demmed nuisance these country parties.”He squinted as he surveyed the guests to this illustrious gathering.“Forced fun.”
Lord George Pinkhurst of Selkirk had always been a regular man, a good friend to any and all, full of fun, but balanced, and good looking with his tow-headed crop of thick hair and lean athletic build.Pinkie had often confided that one day he had to marry—and he’d do it for money.His two-thousand-five-hundred a year income was eaten by taxes and a leaky roof over the family manor.He needed a fortune and he’d found one.But now Pinkie was the worse for wear, the sparkle in his eyes gone, his jaw going to jowls and his belly to pot at the young age of thirty-one.
Victor lowered his head, the two of them downcast as mourners at a gravesite.“What’s wrong?”
“I hate my days.”Pinkie nodded toward the rose bushes where stood his wife.
The hopelessness he heard in his friend’s words drove a spike through his heart.Victor knew too painfully what a burden a bad marriage was.Wishing he was wrong, he tried another track.“Are you well?”
“About to have a child.So, yes.Well enough forthat.”
Victor took in the sight of the man’s wife.The American heiress stood laughing with his mother, the duchess.Lady Pinkhurst had brilliant red hair and a hearty chuckle, carefree, a bit too much so.“Congratulations.That’s good news.”
His friend licked his lips.“My mother thinks so.”
“Victor!”Richard called to him.“We’ve gone round again.Come take your turn!”
Two hands on her hips, Ada turned to glare at Victor.He knew it as a signal for help.
“You’re in trouble, old man,” Pinkie said with a sad laugh.“I remember that look.”
Had Pinkie ever been in love with Ada?“How’s that?”
“I courted her sister, Lily.Married Seton, she did.Before I could do anything to advance my cause.Good woman, Lily.This one seems to be turning out well, too.”
“Wasn’t she…well…before?”Victor could not imagine Ada being anything other than her stalwart self.
“She had a wild streak.They had a few incidents with her, but nothing to totally ruin her.You know what I mean.”
Victor nodded, appreciating the fact that Ada had sewn her oats and was now the strong woman he admired.So unlike Alicia.
“I need another.Join me?”Pinkie turned toward the footman who held a tray of whiskies for the men.
“Victor?”Richard grew peeved.
“In a minute!”he called and pressed his lips together in apology to Ada.She could, for a few minutes, take care of herself.
She rolled her eyes.
“She’s as lovely as her sister.I wouldn’t, if I were you, let her get away.”
“Oh, I’m not—”
