A Wager for Love (3 page)

She looked at him sadly. “Oh Richard, one of those dreadful gaming hells. They were probably using loaded dice.”

“No, no, Lavinia, you have it wrong. I shouldn’t have been there really. Ware, Charles’ brother, got me in. They are devilish strict about membership, you see, and the play is very deep.”

“Well, that’s as maybe, Richard, but surely all these fine gentlemen did not stand on one side and watch you being robbed?”

Richard sighed. There was no use expecting a woman to understand the finer points of play and pay.

“How much did you lose, Richard?” enquired Lavinia.

“Seventy thousand guineas.” The words seemed to hang on the morning air. “There is nothing else for it,” he added glumly, “the estate will have to go.”

Before Lavinia could say anything more, dainty footsteps in the hall heralded the arrival of Lady Elizabeth. She entered in a bustle of silks and perfume, her hair dressed high, and her face painted fit for a ball. Lady Elizabeth was a widow, and after only a few days acquaintance with her, Lavinia was of the opinion that she enjoyed the role of widow far more than she had ever enjoyed her role of wife. Indeed, the good lady had confided to Lavinia in the privacy of her boudoir not long after that young lady’s arrival in Brook Street, that she had not the slightest wish to marry again. “For I own, my love,” she had said to that somewhat startled damsel, “it is a sad truth that rich men are always covetous, disagreeable creatures. I’ve never known one yet that isn’t for ever quibbling over a mantua maker’s bill. But still, rich is better than handsome. Never marry a handsome man, my love,” she had warned. “They are not to be trusted. The first rich widow that casts out the handkerchief and they will be off.”

However, shallow though she undoubtedly was, she had a kind heart and Lavinia liked her. No sooner had she heard of the Dowager Countess’s death and Lavinia’s return to England, than she straightaway offered the girl a home, and an entree into London society, advising her cousin that, “You may be sure, my love, that wretch, your uncle, will do nothing for you. He and that wife of his give out that they are as poor as church mice; why they hardly ever come to town, and when they do, they never open Ormond House, no they rent one, can you believe it? Of course, it is all the doing of that wife of his; her grandfather was a merchant you know. Made his fortune abroad, and she intends to keep it all intact. Why I dare swear she hasn’t had a new dress in twelve months.”

Lady Elizabeth might be feather headed, but she had enough knowledge of society to straightaway put the correct interpretation on Richard’s glum features.

“Why, my loves, what is afoot, pray tell me? Richard, you have been gambling. No,” she held up a cautionary hand as she saw his expression. “My poor Cedric, how often would he return here with just such an expression on his face.” She shrugged, “Still, we always came about.”

Quickly, Lavinia related all that had happened. Contrary to her expectations Lady Elizabeth did not appear to be overly concerned. She nodded sagely. “Oh dear, hazard, was it, Richard? They play very deep at White’s. Why, the number of times Cedric told me he had seen Fox getting up from the tables after dropping five or ten thousand.” She shook her head sadly.

Richard broke in gloomily, “I fear ‘tis far worse than that, Madam, I wish it were only a matter of five or ten thousand.”

She eyed him in lively dismay. “Lud, Richard, how much is it then. Never say you have landed us all in a sponging house.”

He flushed and replied a little stiffly. “Whatever happens, you and my sister will not be involved, you may be sure of that.”

Lady Elizabeth was instantly contrite. “You foolish boy, I only wish I could help. but my allowance for this quarter is gone already.” She shrugged, an arrested expression on her face. “That reminds me. Lavinia. you must have new clothes, that gown you have on …”

Lavinia looked down at the serviceable lemon muslin she was wearing. To be sure it was a trifle shabby, but when she had been living with her grandmother, there had been no occasion for fine gowns.

Richard groaned. “If that isn’t just like a woman. Here I am about to be thrown into the debtors’ prison and all you can think of is a new dress.”

Lady Elizabeth looked a little hurt. “You mistake the matter, Richard, ‘tis only that if one is well dressed and maintains a good appearance, it keeps the duns off.”

Richard laughed harshly. “I scarcely feel …”

Before he could finish, Lavinia broke in crisply, “Fortunately, cousin, we need not fear such an unpleasant fate. I was just about to tell you, Richard, when Elizabeth arrived. The debt will be paid, never fear.”

Richard and Lady Elizabeth turned astonished faces in her direction. She stood with her back to the window, the sunlight gleaming on her russet ringlets, her face determined.

“Have you run mad, sister? There is only one way I can honour my obligations, and that is by selling the estate.”

Lavinia smiled. “I had not intended to tell you just yet, for I own I can scarcely believe it myself. I have had a letter from my grandmother’s man of business. He tells me that she has left me her fortune.”

“What?” Richard was agape, and Lady Elizabeth fanned herself energetically. “My love, but that is most fortuitous…”

“But, Lavinia. What of our uncle and his family? After all he was the son, our mother but her daughter.”

Lavinia smiled. “You must know there was little love lost between the Dowager Countess and our uncle’s wife.’,

“Well, yes,” replied Richard a trifle doubtfully. “But I never thought …”

“No more did I,” admitted Lavinia, “She never once intimated to me that such was her intention. But there, we must not be too sanguine,” she warned. “I do not know the size of her fortune. It may be very modest.”

“Well, Lavinia, no matter how much it is, you deserve it. None better,” declared Lady Elizabeth stoutly. “Living closeted away like a nun, and in a strange country as well.”

Lavinia laughed. “It was not quite as bad as that, cousin. Rome is a beautiful city, and my grandmother did entertain, although I own I sometimes longed for a few younger faces.” She wrinkled her nose ruefully. “But still, she was very good to me, especially when our father remarried. His wife did not want a step-daughter on her hands. Certainly not one only half a score years younger than herself.”

Lady Elizabeth put a plump, soft white hand over Lavinia’s. “Oh, my dear, I have never ceased to reproach myself. If only I had known, but of course Cedric was alive

then… .”

Lavinia returned her smile fondly. “You have been all kindness, cousin.” She turned briskly to Richard. “That is all in the past now. Our father is dead and Richard head of the family.”

Richard gave her a speaking look. He was undeserving of such good fortune. Until she had gone to Rome he and Lavinia had been very close. Many the whipping she had saved him from, and many a cold supper she had sneaked up to him when he had been banished for some boy’s prank. And now this. He had been full of such plans. To bring her to London, give her a season, and all the things she had missed. Of course, she never complained, but it was time she had some pleasure from life-perhaps she might even find a husband. Although, to be sure, Richard was none too sanguine about that. If only she had had a respectable portion. He heaved a sigh. He was the worst wretch alive. The Dowager’s fortune might have been sufficient to secure Lavinia a most exceptional match-and here she was planning to use it to pay his debts.

“Richard,” Lavinia was eyeing him quizzically, “I was just telling Elizabeth that I have an appointment to see Hoare’s, our grandmother’s bankers this morning, and I was originally going to say nothing until I had returned.” There was a decided twinkle in her eye. “I fear you have been taxing yourself as to how you may best settle my future.”

He blushed a little, but did not deny it. “Still, we can see what may best be done in that quarter once we know how much money there is, so I shall say no more on that head.”

Richard choked, “I cannot allow you to do this, Lavinia.”

She rapped him lightly on the knuckles with her fan. “Don’t be so ridiculous. You are my brother, Richard. It might as well go to you as to my husband, should I ever have one. Besides,” she added, “You cannot stop me.”

Lady Elizabeth clapped her hands in delight. “My dears, it is the very solution. I declare ‘tis better than a plot at Drury Lane.”

“Oh, cousin.” Lavinia hugged her impulsively as she and Richard exchanged amused glances.

Relieved to see her young relatives smiling once again, she bustled about Full of plans for their entertainment, or more specifically for Lavinia’s entertainment. “Lavinia, we have cards for Lady Fitzallen’s ball tonight. You must wear that green satin we purchased, ‘tis most becoming.”

Lavinia smiled a trifle ruefully, “Indeed I shall, cousin, I for I have nothing else in my wardrobe, and if everything is as costly as that was, I fear I never shall.”

“Costly!” Lady Elizabeth’s eyebrows arched in ludicrous amaze. “Lud, child, ‘twas nothing.” Lady Elizabeth’s nature was not of a particularly brooding one. To her the matter of Richard’s debts was settled most satisfactorily.

Richard, himself, did not feel quite so happy. He was very reluctant to allow his sister to give up her fortune, always supposing it was sufficient. However, he was also conscious of a feeling of relief. Until he had been faced with the possibility of losing them, he had not realised how much the lands and home of, his ancestors meant to him. Of course, he had been sorry to learn of the death of his father and his young wife in a carriage accident, but since their marriage he had grown apart from his father, and he was honest enough to admit to a small feeling of pleasure when he thought on his inheritance. Indeed, he was fast coming to the conclusion that London was not for him. He tried to put these feelings into words, but Lavinia made light of his protests only hugging him quickly when he called her “dearest and best of sisters,” her eyes suspiciously moist.

“Never fear, Richard, I shall see that a draft is sent to this man the moment we know the amount I have inherited. Give me his direction and I shall instruct Hoare’s.”

Richard’s face tell. “I fear I was so distraught. I never thought to ask.”

“Well, don’t worry,” she replied comiortingly, “The heir to an Earldom you say, you may be sure every chairman in London will know him.”

Not for one moment was she going to advise her relatives of the plan which had been taking shape in her mind from the moment Richard had appraised her of his misfortune. She was going to deliver the draft herself and give this creature, who robbed young children scarcely out of the schoolroom, a few pithy opinions on his behaviour. My Lord would get his money, and he would also get a piece of her mind at the same time.

Richard and Lady Elizabeth saw the firm little chin harden and the grey eyes flash. “My love . . began Lady Elizabeth uneasily,

Lavinia turned, smiling sweetly, “Yes, cousin?”

“Oh, it is nothing. It was just that for a second you looked …” She swallowed hurriedly. “That is … But there, I was imagining it. just a trick of the sunlight and no more.”

Lavinia said nothing.

By the time Lavinia had donned her cloak and bonnet, the atmosphere in the breakfast room had lightened considerably. Having repeatedly refused Richard’s earnest otters to escort her, she left him whistling tunelessly under his breath as he consumed a breakfast, which only half. an hour ago he had felt totally unable to face.

Lavinia stepped into Lady Elizabeth’s smart town carriage, the cost of which had made even that intrepid spender blench a little, and with a deft flick of his whip, the postilion urged the horses forward. Half an hour later he was setting Lavinia down outside Hoare’s imposing building. Ignoring the disapproving look he gave her, she firmly dismissed him, rejecting his suggestion that he walk the horses outside the bank until she had completed her business. Forestalling the arguments she saw trembling on his lips, she instructed him, “If Lady Elizabeth should enquire for me, you may tell her I may be a couple of hours.”

Since this was contrary to his instructions, which had been to set Miss down outside the bank, wait tor her, and then convey her back to Lady Eli2abeth’s house, he pondered for a few seconds, chewing thoughtfully on his tobacco, whilst he martialled his thoughts. However, before he could utter another word, Lavinia had tripped firmly up the steps and disappeared from sight. As she entered the Bank, cool and dim after the bright sunshine of the street, Lavinia admitted to herself’ a reeling of’ extreme nervousness, and would even have welcomed Lady Elizabeth’s frivolous presence.

Her footsteps seemed abnormally loud on the tiled floor as she approached the clerk, clutching her reticule, in which reposed the all-important letter from the late Dowager Countess’s man of business. At first the clerk affected not to notice her, fiddling busily with his ledgers.

She coughed gently. “Er, excuse me, could I see Mr. Hoare, please?” she asked, a little nervously.

The clerk’s eyebrows threatened to disappear into his wig. He put down his quill with great deliberation, glancing repressively at her. “I’m sorry, Miss …?”

“My name is Miss Lavinia Davenham, the Dowager Countess of…”

The frown disappeared with miraculous speed, the doleful face broke into a smile. “Ah, yes, of course …Just one moment, Miss Davenham, I shall enquire if Mr. Hoare is free to see you. Please take a seat.”

He indicated the chairs grouped uninvitingly round a stout table, bristling with inkstands, quills and important looking headed notepaper. She sat down carefully and immediately wished she had not as the leather creaked noisily. She glanced round hurriedly. However, no-one was paying the slightest attention. “Don’t be so foolish.” she admonished herself, “There is nothing to be frightened of.” But despite this stiff counselling. she could not help feeling relieved when. after what seemed like an age, the clerk reappeared.

“Ahem. lf you will just come this way, Miss Davenham.”

A few minutes later she was being ushered into a well-appointed office and greeted by a jovial, fatherly man, completely at variance with her own ideas of a shrewd and successful banker.