Page 21 of A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets 2)

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Am I not wealthy enough for you?”

“No,” she replied. “You must understand that I am doing this for you.”

“For me?” he asked, taking a step back.

Emmeline gave him a timid smile. “I don’t think you are ready to be wed.”

“Because I am a rake.”

“Yes,” she replied, seeing no reason to deny it.

Oliver performed an exaggerated bow. “Good night, Emme. I hope you enjoy your life as a duchess,” he remarked dryly before walking off.

Emmeline watched Oliver’s retreating figure, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she had made the right decision.

As Oliver walkedpurposefully away from Emmeline, he kept muttering curse words under his breath and wondering what in the blazes he had been thinking. Why had he offered for her? It had been sheer madness on his part.

He should be relieved that she had refused his offer, but he found himself hurt and disappointed. Which was ludicrous. He had always viewed Emmeline as a friend, and nothing more. She was the cousin of his one true love. So why did he feel as if he had been punched in the gut by her rejection?

Oliver stepped into the ballroom, ignoring the ladies that were vying for his attention. Frankly, he wasn’t in the mood to bother with niceties. He searched the crowd and saw his brother standing next to his wife and conversing with Lord and Lady Hutchings.

He walked over and said, “I need to speak to you.”

Baldwin gave him a curious look. “Now?”

Oliver nodded.

The silver-haired Lady Hutchings smiled kindly at him. “I hope everything is all right, Lord Oliver.”

Realizing he was being rude, he offered her a slight bow and replied, “I assure you that all is well.”

“That is good to hear,” Lady Hutchings said.

Lord Hutchings spoke up. “We were just complimenting your brother on what a fine choice he made for his selection of a bride.”

“That he did,” Oliver agreed, glancing over at his sister-in-law. “Madalene has made a fine addition to our family.”

Madalene smiled. “You are being too kind.”

“I am indeed a lucky man,” Baldwin said, puffing out his chest in pride. “I practically had to beg Madalene to marry me.”

“Is that so?” Lady Hutchings asked.

Madalene shook her head. “That is not entirely true. It was not love at first sight, mind you, but I found myself besotted by Baldwin rather quickly.”

Oliver gave his brother an impatient look and Baldwin cleared his throat. “If you will excuse me, I shall return shortly.”

They did not speak as they walked away from the crowd and stepped outside onto the veranda. After Oliver ensured their conversation would remain private, he turned to face his brother.

“I did something intolerably stupid,” Oliver admitted.

Baldwin grew serious. “What did you do?” he asked cautiously.

Oliver hesitated for a moment before saying, “I offered for Miss Emmeline Lockhart.”

“You did?” Baldwin asked, his brow shooting up.

He nodded.

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