Lord Ashford's Wager (4 page)

His mother was beyond consolation, however. “I can’t believe Justin would do this to you,” she cried, when they reached the privacy of her home. “To raise our expectations all these years and then to give it all away to that devious little conniver.”

“Claudia is hardly that, Mother,” responded her son. “Even you must admit that she was devoted to Cousin Justin. Her grief is quite genuine.”

Mrs. Halesworth, whose temperament was volatile, burst into tears and cried out that she was a terrible cousin-in-law indeed to be thinking of money at a sad time like this.

Mark, whose reserve had developed as a reaction to his mother’s tendency to overdramatize every little shift in her emotions, patted her shoulder automatically and waited for her to dry her eyes.

“Although, Mark, I wonder…she said, lifting her head, her face transformed once again. “Fairhaven cared about you very much. Look at how he paid for your education and promoted you so quickly. Perhaps the will was his way of suggesting—which he could never have done in any other way, of course—that the title and fortune come together through you and Claudia?”

Mark might work to keep himself aloof from his mother, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t a strong influence on him. The opposite, in fact. He had allowed himself to believe he would inherit everything. And now? Well, there was a certain sense in what she said. Who better to marry Claudia than the new earl?

As his hostility to Claudia had decreased over the years, he couldn’t help noticing that she was a very attractive woman. He didn’t love her. He couldn’t imagine his emotions binding him to any woman in that way. But he could imagine bedding her for a while, until he had his heir.

There was no rush. She wouldn’t return to society for at least a year.

He had been a little surprised by her two-year stay with her parents, but was in no way disappointed, for it meant her grief was even deeper than he could have guessed, and therefore she wasn’t likely to rush into a second marriage.

And so, when she purchased the townhouse and came up to London for her first Season as an unattached woman, he only saw it as his opportunity to win her hand. He had to admit she didn’t seem particularly drawn to him. But neither was she drawn to anyone else. Until Tony Varden.

Varden was the fly in the ointment. He was handsome enough, Mark had to admit, if you liked the combination of merry brown eyes, which could turn serious in an instant, above a sensuous full mouth. And women did seem to like it. And the unusual combination of blond hair with dark eyes.

Claudia certainly looked happy enough in Varden’s arms, thought Mark, after he left the townhouse. She looked very comfortable as his dance partner and very absorbed in conversation at suppers and musicales. Varden had done nothing to put the relationship on a more physical basis, to Mark’s knowledge. That didn’t mean, of course, that nothing was happening. Claudia was an independent widow, not a hedged-in virgin up for her first Season. For all Mark knew, Varden could be visiting every night. Except that he couldn’t, thought Mark, because he was spending all his time at 75 St. James. That little bit of information was true, and despite Claudia’s disclaimer, he was sure he had affected her opinion of Varden.

But he needed to keep a close eye on his seemingly virtuous cousin. If he only had someone inside her household who could inform him about her relationship with Varden… He could buy off one of the under-footmen, and then introduce his own replacement to her. He had just the man, he realized. One Jim Rooke, who worked in the warehouse as an assistant clerk. His parents had been in service and saw Jim’s employment as a step up for the family. He was an ambitious young man, from what Mark knew of him, and if he was offered a bonus and a promotion, was sure to jump at the chance to please his employer. As a footman, Jim could keep his eyes and ears open for gossip about Lady Fairhaven and Lord Ashford. A spy in Claudia’s household was just what he needed.

By mid-Season, it was clear to anyone who had eyes that Lord Ashford was devoting almost as much time to his pursuit of Lady Fairhaven as to
Rouge et Noir
. Although perhaps “pursuit” was not the right word, since the lady was not running anywhere. And if it came to a match, well, it would make perfect sense for all concerned, said the gossips. Lady Fairhaven was rich enough to rescue Lord Ashford and his family and hardly note the expenditure. And he was, after all, a very handsome young man. Younger man. After her first marriage, she was probably looking to please herself.

Tony was aware of the gossip. He knew what it looked like: Desperate young man charms wealthy widow and marries her to obtain her fortune. And, unfortunately, there was some truth in what it looked like. After their first conversation, Tony had felt a growing bond between them, and with her money in mind,
had
used his considerable charm to strengthen their friendship. But it was a real friendship. At least on his part. He
liked
Claudia and he admired her. She could have acted like many a young woman married to an older man and found a young lover. Instead, she had opened her heart to the possibilities in her marriage and made it a happy one.

She was also a very pretty woman and hardly looked five years his senior.

He wasn’t quite sure what her feelings toward him were. Their liking was mutual. But he suspected from a few unguarded glances that she might be more romantically inclined than he. He had much to offer her in exchange for her fortune: affection, companionship, youth…but not passion. And he suspected that rich as her first marriage may have been, it had probably lacked that. But the only passion Tony was capable of right now, he admitted to himself, was for the cards. Well, of course, not the cards themselves, but for what they could do for himself and his family: restore Ashford and give Ned’s death meaning. But it was time to discover if his affection for Lady Fairhaven might include the physical.

* * * *

That night at the Faradays’ ball, Tony secured two waltzes and Claudia’s hand for supper. After their first dance, he let his hand stay around her waist for a minute or so after he escorted her off the dance floor, and Claudia made no move to step away. He delivered her to her next partner and sought out Joanna, who was standing on the sidelines with her parents.

“Not dancing tonight, Joanna?” he teased.

“My card is empty for this dance, Tony,” she replied blandly. She would not look either arch or pleading. Not that Tony would notice anyway. He seemed to have eyes only for Lady Fairhaven.

“Lord, but Fairhaven is stiff,” muttered Tony, for Claudia was dancing with Mark.

“He is not at all a good partner for Lady Fairhaven,” agreed Joanna, watching Claudia’s graceful movements. She was petite and pretty, with a delectable figure: everything the tall and average-looking Joanna was not. No wonder Tony was interested.

“No, he is not a partner I would recommend, on or off the dance floor,” continued Tony.

“I must confess, I had not thought of that,” said Joanna. “Do you think that there is any possibility of a match? It would be to both their advantages, after all. He would get her fortune and her son, if she had one, would inherit the earldom. Not that he really needs her money,” Joanna added. “Managing the late earl’s business enabled him to become very comfortable.”

Tony frowned. It was true. Halesworth was rich enough on his own, although it was nothing compared to what Claudia had inherited. But if Fairhaven was as greedy as he was cold, then he might well be thinking of pursuing Claudia. In that case, his own pursuit of the lady could almost be viewed as an act of chivalry. Surely she deserved a better second husband than Mark Halesworth.

“I doubt that Mark would appeal to her,” said Tony, turning and smiling at Joanna. “Perhaps she will be looking for something more in her second husband than a good head for business.”

Joanna’s heart sank. She knew Tony well, and that gleam in his eye meant that he had one more reason to pursue Lady Fairhaven. He would not have hinted at all, were he not interested.

“There is some gossip that you are interested in the lady, Tony. Everyone has noticed your attentions to her. Has someone conquered your heart at last?” she asked, keeping her voice light. She knew it would hurt, but she had to know.

“I am sure that the gossips are not claiming that my heart is in her hands.”

“No,” Joanna admitted. “They are saying that you have lost so much at the tables that you must marry Lady Fairhaven or lose Ashford. Is that true, Tony?” she asked quietly, dreading the answer. Somehow, no matter how much it would hurt, she would rather Tony have lost his heart than his integrity. She thought she could bear his falling in love with another woman, for she had almost given up hope that he would ever feel that way about her. But she did not think she could stand losing all her respect for him. She knew his weaknesses better than anyone, but she had not thought they included complete lack of control over his impulses, or cynicism so deep that he would marry a woman for her money. Then again, who could tell what his father’s and brother’s deaths had done to him? Weakness in one setting was often a strength in another, and she was sure that he was at his best in the army. Not as the Earl of Ashford.

“Of course not. I am surprised you would listen to such gossip, Joanna.” Tony’s face was flushed as he made his denial. “I may have lost a little here and there, but my luck is beginning to turn. And I would never marry where there is no affection. I like Lady Fairhaven very much, as a matter-of-fact, and if I did ask her to be my wife, it would be for that reason, and no other.”

Joanna believed he was telling the truth. Almost. She was sure he did have some affection for Lady Fairhaven. She was also sure that the gossips were not wrong. That flush had betrayed him. He was deeply in debt and unable to come about in any other way than marrying a woman with a great deal of money. For one moment, Joanna imagined grabbing his arm and saying: “Tony, if you are thinking of marrying to secure Ashford, then why not me?” But although her portion was decent and she could expect a small inheritance from her grandmother when she married, it was nothing to the size of Lady Fairhaven’s fortune. And nowhere near enough to save Ashford.

Tony gave a mock groan, which shook Joanna out of her depressing thoughts. “Look at me, standing here jabbering to you about my problems when instead I should have asked you to dance. No wonder you look bored. Will you give me another chance later, Jo?”

“Unfortunately, this was my only free dance, Lord Varden. You have missed your chance, I am afraid,” replied Joanna with patrician hauteur, happy to be back in the familiar teasing mode in which she and her old friend generally communicated.

“A good setdown. Well, put me down for a waltz at Lady Pembroke’s tomorrow.”

“I will, my lord.”

“Is it young Dracut who has your hand for the next country dance?”

“Yes.”

“Well, here he comes. I think I will leave you to him, my dear. He is so full of energy that he makes me feel positively ancient!”

Joanna watched Dracut approach and willed herself not to follow Tony across the room, where he was, of course, approaching Lady Fairhaven. She turned on her brightest smile and prepared herself for her bumptious partner.

* * * *

Tony had put himself down for a country dance with Claudia on purpose. It was very warm inside the ballroom and he was hoping the exertion would make her welcome a suggestion to seek an open window on one of the balconies.

And indeed, after the dance ended, Claudia was very pink and fanned herself vigorously.

“It is uncommonly hot tonight,” said Tony solicitously. “Perhaps we could seek some fresh air for a moment or two?”

Claudia glanced up quickly and then immediately lowered her eyes and nodded her assent. It
was
warm, but usually couples sought the balconies to generate heat, rather than to get away from it. Up until now, Tony had been very careful with his physical attentions: his arm lingering around her waist, or a slight squeeze of the hand. Considering she was a widow and not some green girl, he had been very thoughtful. But she suspected that was about to change.

When they reached the balcony, Tony left the door into the ballroom open, and leaning against the railing, made witty observations for a few minutes about the couples they could see whirling around on the dance floor. Claudia was disappointed. Perhaps he had been interested only in fresh air!

But then he stepped away from the railing and closed the door more than halfway behind her.

“I have been hoping for a while that you would give me permission to call you Claudia, my dear,” he said, moving closer.

“I am not sure that would be appropriate, my lord. After all, we do not know each other that well.”

“Ah, but I do not intend to leave this balcony before becoming better acquainted.” Tony reached out, and grasping her hands, pulled Claudia even closer. Her head only reached his chest, and despite the difference in their ages, this made him feel protective. He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. Claudia turned away quickly in embarrassment, and then gave a surprised gasp of pain.

“What is it?” asked Tony with concern. Surely he couldn’t have frightened her?

“My earring. It is caught.” Tony leaned down and smiled to see her dangling ear-bob tangled in a tendril of hair.

“Hold still,” he whispered. He had to lean very close to see what he was doing, and the sensation of his warm breath on her neck was delightful. She could feel him tug on her ear as he gently pulled the earring free. But when she could tell it was again hanging as it should, he did not move away, but kept his hand in her hair.

“Now I am caught,” he said, as he ran his fingers through her curls. She shivered.

“Surely you could not be cold, my lady?”

“No, Lord…Tony, I am not cold.”

“Do you shiver in anticipation of this?” he asked, and turning her head towards him, he kissed her gently on the lips. Her mouth opened immediately under his, and their kiss became more passionate. After a moment or two, Tony pulled back. “Do you wish to go back inside, Claudia?”