Page 43 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“And I will speak to my father to make sure he sends something too,” Lady Fairfax piped up.
Lord Wexbridge bowed stiffly before slinking away to the library. After he had left, the women burst out laughing.
Tilly looked up, a little confused but smiling. “Thank you for being so generous with Her Grace’s charity,” she said sweetly.
Lady Wexbridge nodded, noticeably smitten with her sweet face. “Of course, Miss Tilly. It’s only right and good that we help the less fortunate.” She smiled.
“Yes!” Tilly nodded earnestly. “Her Grace made sure to look after me. With luck, perhaps one day I will run a charity like hers and look after other children like me.” She beamed.
Edith felt her heart warm at Tilly’s words. She was so glad that the girl was absorbing all the right lessons.
“And why, oh why, are you already back in town, old boy?” James drawled as Laurence entered White’s billiard room, which held a handful of men, some smoking pipes, others engrossed in animated conversation.
James held a small glass of burgundy and waved Laurence over.
Laurence sighed. “I have business I must attend to, Lord Mallowby. You are aware of this.”
He lowered himself into a comfortable, overstuffed lounge chair near the crackling fire. He hadn’t missed the smoky rooms or the buzz of constant chatter. Sadly, being here was necessary.
James chuckled and pulled back his cue stick. “I don’t see how on earth one can think of work in your position.” He smirked, lining up his shot.
“Whatever do you mean?” Laurence asked as he took a sip of his wine.
“Well, you have such a scrumptious wife back at the castle,” James said.
Laurence bit back a growl. “You seem to forget that I married for the sole purpose of accessing my father’s fortune.”
“Oh, yes, how could I have let that slip my mind?” James snorted, rolling his eyes.
“I mean it, James.”
“Ah, yes, how could I forget? No heart, and apparently no functioning appendage either. A marvel of modern uselessness.” James snickered.
“James,” Laurence warned.
“Laurence, you haveseenthe woman you have married, have you not? You have actually laid your eyes upon her?” James asked, taking another shot.
“Of course, I?—”
“Then you are aware why I think you’re completely mad for not being with her right now?” James asked.
“I don’t care much for your opinion on my marriage,” Laurence snapped, shaking his head.
James laughed and took a long sip of his drink. “I am in awe of how much you enjoy torturing yourself, old sport.”
Laurence glared at James, who shot him a mock hurt look.
“Moving on,” Laurence huffed. “Have you heard anything about the properties in the East End?”
“Right to business,” James sighed. “Yes, although I think I must warn you of something.”
“Which would be?” Laurence prompted, raising an eyebrow.
“The Earl of Hargrove has also expressed interest in those properties,” James said, straightening.
Laurence’s fingers tightened around his glass. He despised that man.
“Of course,” he grumbled.
