The Earl's Secret Bargain (2 page)

Miss Regina Giles turned away from her mother. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up with a headache. Her mother meant well. She knew she did, but all the fuss was getting to be too much.

“Would you like more tea, my dear?” her mother called out from where she and her two friends sat in the drawing room.

Regina continued to stare out the window. “No thanks, Mother. I’ve had enough.”

“It’s probably nerves,” one of her mother’s friends said. “This being her first Season and all, there’s a lot of pressure for her to find a respectable husband.”

“Oh, she won’t just find a respectable husband,” her mother began in a tone that left no room for argument. “She’s going to marry a titled gentleman.”

“A titled one?” another lady asked, sounding as impressed as Regina knew her mother hoped she’d be.

“Most assuredly. Her father and I will have nothing but the best for her. Her son will one day have a title.”

With a heavy sigh, Regina tuned them out as they continued to talk about her future as if she had nothing to do with it. Her mother was ambitious, had always been that way. It was why her mother married her father when she realized he had the potential to make a significant amount of money. Whether or not her mother and father loved each other, she didn’t know. They were amiable enough, but they spent most of their time apart. Her father went out to make more money, and her mother was more than happy to spend it then turn around and show off her new things to her socially influential friends.

Pressing her forehead against the window, Regina closed her eyes. She inhaled, held her breath, and slowly exhaled. The exercise often calmed her nerves. It was already June, and she was no closer to securing a husband than
when her Season had started. This didn’t bode well. She needed a husband—one with a title—before the Season ended. If she didn’t… She didn’t want to think about it.

“Regina?” her mother called out.

Opening her eyes, she turned around. “Yes?”

“We need to get ready to leave, my dear. I want to stop by a dress shop before we have someone decorate your hair for tonight’s ball.” She rose to her feet and smiled at her friends. “She’s beautiful already, of course, but sometimes gentlemen require a little extra to catch their attention.”

“Oh, that’s for sure,” one of her friends agreed. “Their minds are often on what they can see.” She gave them a wink and giggled.

Regina didn’t understand the joke but then decided she didn’t care. The ladies lauded appearances above all else
, and apparently, gentlemen thought the same way.

Her mother came over to her and touched her wavy blonde hair. “I wonder how you’d look with pearls in your hair? Pearls are lovely.” She patted her shoulder and grinned.
“Only the best for you. Mark my word, you’ll be the most beautiful lady at the ball.”

Regina
swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. In one way, she wanted to finally attract a titled gentleman to satisfy her mother, but she also feared what it meant. Though most married ladies never showed any signs of discontent, she wondered if being under a husband’s thumb would be all that different from living under her mother’s.

Her mother turned back to her friends. “Thank you for the tea and scones.”

Regina repeated the sentiment and followed her mother out of the room, hoping tonight would go as well as her mother planned.

***

“Then there’s the museum, of course, but who wants to spend their time doing something so boring?” the pretty brunette rambled as she danced with Toby that evening at the ball. “There are other things we could be doing with our time, and I intend to go out and do it.”

Toby offered a polite smile.
He doubted he’d win the wager if he picked her. She’d probably fall in love with Pennella as soon as she met him. Pennella loved to travel. A couple months ago, he’d come to White’s and bragged about going to a bullfight in Spain. He even got to meet the matador who fought the bull. Even now, Toby resisted the urge to roll his eyes. All Pennella ever did was brag about places he’d visited, money he spent, and people he met.

This lady, no doubt, would just love
all his stories. And that made her unsuitable for the bet. Not to mention the fact that Toby had no desire to engage in any of the things she enjoyed. He much preferred the safety of his chair to the idea of going to Africa to see lions in person. No. She wouldn’t be happy with him, and she’d sense that right away and pick Pennella before the wager officially started.

The dance came to an end, allowing Toby a much needed reprieve. He bowed to her, thanked her for a lovely dance, and
headed for the punch table where Orlando stood.

“Any luck?”
Orlando asked.

“No. How about you?”

“No. Unless you fancy a lady who mumbles all the time.”

He winced and shook his head.

Orlando grinned. “Don’t despair. The evening is still young, and we just got started.”

“I envy your ability to look at the best in every situation.”

They watched the couples on the dance floor, and Orlando pointed to a dashing brunette who laughed at something her dance partner said. “What do you think of her?”

Toby considered her and
saw her give another gentleman a wink. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not? She’s one of the prettier ladies at this ball.”

“While that’s true, I don’t think she’s the best choice.” Maybe it didn’t matter who the lady he selected was, but he preferred one who wasn’t extending a welcome to every gentleman in the room. He scanned the room and saw a raven-haired beauty. “What about her?”

“She migh
t do. Want to dance with her?”

Toby
nodded but then caught sight of a pretty blonde who looked bored. “Wait. I think I’ll dance with her.”

“Why? She’s not as beautiful as the brunette.”

“I disagree. She’s more attractive, but that’s not why I want to dance with her. There’s something about her that seems,” for lack of a better word, he shrugged, “different.”

Orlando laughed. “Different?”

“I can’t explain it.”

“All right. I’ll dance with the better looking of the two.”

Amused at his friend’s teasing tone, Toby waited for the music to end before making his way through the crowded room. He had to call out to her so she wouldn’t leave the dance floor. She turned in his direction, and he was struck by the way her eyes flashed the most brilliant shade of green.

He cleared his throat and offered a bow. “May I have the pleasure of the next dance?”

She hesitated for a moment then curtsied. “Yes, you may.”

“I hope
you don’t mind dancing with me.”

“Pardon?”

“I notice you only agreed to dance with me to be polite.”

The music
began and both fell into step.

She shrugged. “It doesn’t seem that anyone here cares
much about anything, except to make an impression.”

“Most people come here for that,” he admitted, “though some are sincere about finding a husband or wife.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

“I wouldn’t mind finding a nice lady to marry.” And that was the truth, even if it wasn’t something he was doing at the moment. “Are you here to find a husband?”

“I have to find a husband.”

“Have to?”

“My mother is insistent on it. It’s her grand dream, and if I fail to snare one this Season, it might be the death of her.”

Noting her humor, he laughed. “What children go through to appease their mothers.”

“Well, we owe it to them, or at least I owe it to mine. If it wasn’t for her, I would never have been born.”

“You possess marvelous wit, Miss…?”

“Giles. And you are?”

“Lord Davenport.” He hesitated to ask her more questions, but of all the ladies he’d met tonight, she seemed like the most promising
one. “Tell me, Miss Giles, what is it you’re looking for in a husband?”

“My mother’s demands are that he have a title, is well-educated, and has a good reputation with the Ton.”

“I didn’t ask what your mother wanted. I asked what you wanted,” he pointed out with a smile.

“
My opinion makes no difference.”

“It should make all the difference in the world. You’re the one who is getting married.”

Chuckling, she said, “Come now, my lord. You know how things are. Ladies are to marry a titled gentleman, and the titled gentleman is to marry the lady who has the most money.”

“Well, a lady
with money is a huge benefit, especially if the titled gentleman came upon hard times.”

“Then we are in agreement. Money and a title are the reasons any of us parade ourselves through these balls.”

He forced himself to laugh instead of wince. She was brutally honest. It wouldn’t be very noble of him to pick her. If he was a decent gentleman, he’d pick someone else. But he doubted she’d ever pick Pennella, and for what he needed, she was perfect.

The dance came to an end
, so he bowed to her. “It’s been a pleasure, Miss Giles. I hope our paths will cross again.”

She curtsied. “Lord Davenport.”

He sensed she had enjoyed their dance. Maybe not as much as he did but maybe enough to agree to go to Hyde Park with him. That would be the first place he’d take her if she agreed. But first, he had to find Pennella and tell him he selected her for the wager.

He found Orlando
talking to the brunette he had chosen to dance with. “You’re wrong, Miss Boyle,” Orlando said. “Your hair is lovely. Far more so than any of the other brunettes in this room.”

Surprised, Toby’s eyebrows
raised in interest. Since when did Orlando take note of a lady’s hair color?

“You flatter me, my lord.”

“Only because you deserve to be flattered.”

Toby wasn’t opposed to romance, but the way the two gushed over each other was enough to make him nauseous. Thankfully, another gentleman came over to ask her to dance
, so Orlando had to leave her side. Toby doubted he would have left otherwise.

“So, how did it go?” Orlando asked him.

“I could ask you the same thing, but I already know the answer to that.” Glancing at Miss Boyle who curtsied and shot the new gentleman a coy smile, he shook his head. “She flatters everyone she dances with, not just you.”

“That doesn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy talking to her. This is her first Season, and she’s looking for a husband.”

“Oh, well in that case, it’s only natural she goes around and charms every gentleman she gets her hands on.”

Shooting him an amused smile, Orlando said, “She’s trying hard to secure a husband. I suspect she needs money.”

“Oh, so anyone with a good amount of money will do. How nice it is to know she’ll choose you if you come with a large enough estate.”

“I fail to see what is wrong with her motivation when you and Pennella have that wager going. At least she will give her husband an heir. If Pennella wins the wager, he’ll give the lady in question a life of misery. If you win, you’ll give her an estate your father left in ruins.
That is, of course, if you don’t end the engagement. It seems to me, that Miss Boyle is being far too kind.”

“I hate
the fact that you can argue anything to your advantage,” he grumbled.

Orlando chuckled. “Now, how did your dance go?”

“Better than I expected.”

“Does that mean you’ve selected your lady?”

“I have. Her name is Miss Giles. She’s a bit of a cynic, but she has a good point. Gentlemen are looking for money, and ladies want a gentleman with a title.”

“Are you sure
Miss Giles is the one?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good. Then let’s find Pennella, Edon and Ashbourne to make it official.”

“I found her,” Toby told Pennella.

Behind Toby were Lord Edon and Mr. Robinson. When Pennella turned to face him, Toby motioned to Miss Giles who was dancing.

“That’s
the lady you want?” Pennella asked, scanning her with a critical eye.

“Yes,” Toby said. He turned to
Edon and Mr. Robinson. “As agreed, I’m allowed to choose the lady, and she’s the one I pick.”

“She’s not as pretty as what I’m used to,” Pennella began, “but I suppose she’ll do.”

Toby bit back the urge to say that she was a beautiful lady. Maybe if Pennella didn’t fancy her, he wouldn’t strive so hard to win her hand. Noting the expectation in Pennella’s eyes, Toby realized it didn’t matter whether he fancied her or not. He’d do everything he could to get her to choose him. He could only hope he understood her, that she wasn’t easily given to flattery.

“Then it’s agreed,” Pennella told
Edon and Mr. Robinson. “Whoever Miss Giles chooses wins the wager. We’ll sign the agreement before we leave the ball tonight.”

The two gentlemen in
dicated their agreement before they returned to their dance partners.

Pennella looked at Toby with raised eyebrows. “You won’t mind if I dance with her since you already had your turn?”

Toby wondered if Pennella had been watching him, and sure enough, he had. “Of course not,” he forced out, offering a polite smile.

With a nod, Pennella waited until the music ended then made his way over to her. Already, Toby’s gut tensed. This was a bad idea. There was no way this wager was going to end well. If only he hadn’t stepped into Pennella’s trap.

Unable to stop him, Toby watched as he bowed to her, using that confident smile that bothered him to no end. She curtsied and accepted his hand. The two began to dance and the knot in his gut tightened. He couldn’t step in and stop it. He had to stand along the edge of the dance floor and watch as Pennella talked to her.

His eyebrows furrowed. Did she enjoy listening to him? From
his vantage point, it was hard to tell if she was smiling at Pennella the same way she’d smiled at him. As Orlando approached, he gestured toward her. “Does she look happy?”

Orlando shrugged. “It’s hard to say. That’s the same smile she gave you.”

Hiding his scowl, he returned his gaze to her. That was horrible. If she was giving his nemesis the same smile she gave him, then he had no advantage. At least not yet. He had to remind himself that this was only the first meeting. He’d see her again. All he had to do was secure a time and place to meet with her. And he’d do that before the night was over.

***

“I don’t mean to be forward, but you are one of the most beautiful ladies at this ball,” Lord Pennella said.

Regina
twirled in time to the music and rolled her eyes. A glance at her mother warned her that she better be nice. When she faced him again, she forced herself to smile.

“What is it you want?”
she asked. Her mother would never approve of the question, but she was tired after spending all evening going from one gentleman to another. All she wanted to do was go home and rest in bed.

“I wanted
to dance with the best looking lady in the room,” he replied, flashing her a smile she suspected was supposed to be charming. “Now that I’m dancing with you, my evening is complete.”

“Thank you.” She only said it because she was expected to. Soon the dance would be over. With any luck, he wouldn’t ask for another one. She had so little patience with deceit.

“Do you ever visit the museum?”

This wasn’t something she wanted to answer because she was afraid of where it was leading. Her mother would be delighted to no end,
especially since he had a title. As it was, she had yet to secure the interest of any titled gentleman in the room, and she could tell by the way her mother anxiously fanned herself that she was getting impatient. Taking a deep breath, she forced out, “Yes, I have on occasion.”

“Do you enjoy going there?”

“Sometimes.”

“I’d love to go with you in three days. I hear a new portrait is arriving then.”

She released her breath and glanced at her mother. “I’d be honored, my lord.”

The music came to an end
, and he bowed, his smile wide. “I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Giles.”

With a forced smile, she returned the sentiment then hurried over to h
er mother. She was exhausted. Her feet hurt, and she was unbearably hot. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed and go to sleep.

“How did that last dance go?” her mother asked.

“He wishes to see me again.”

“Is he a titled gentleman?”

“Yes, he’s Lord Pennella.”

“Splendid!”

“In three days we will go to the museum.”

Letting out a delightful laugh, she finally stopped waving her fan. “This is so exciting! We must think of what you can talk to him about so you don’t lose his interest.”

“I don’t think that will be hard to do. He seemed rather intent on speaking about himself. As long as you ask him questions, he should be more than happy to talk.”

“That can be said about any gentleman, Regina.” She gasped and leaned toward her. “Another gentleman is coming over here. You danced with him earlier.”

Curious, she turned around, surprised when she saw Lord Davenport. She offered a hesitant smile. “Lord Davenport, this is my mother.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord,” her mother said with a curtsy.

He bowed and glanced at Regina. “May I share another dance with you?”

She looked at her mother who gave her an encouraging nod. With a smile, she extended her hand. “It’d be my pleasure.”

And surprisingly, she thought this dance wouldn’t be as burdensome as the others, probably because he was the one gentleman she’d been able to speak freely to. Perhaps he might be one of the few people who could accept her brazen honesty.

The orchestra began to play
, and she moved in time with him to the music.

“
How has your evening been since we last talked?” he asked.

“Well, I managed to stay awake,” she joked.

He smiled. “That’s always good. It wouldn’t be good if you fell asleep while dancing.”

“I’d say not. Mother would never forgive me for
ruining this dress by falling onto the floor.”

Chuckling, he said, “If you happen to fall asleep while we’re dancing, I’ll catch you so your dress will be safe.”

She laughed, impressed by his wit. “Then I’m in good hands.”

“Always and forever.”

Amused, she asked, “Always and forever? That’s a long time.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m a patient gentleman.”

“If I said you have a refreshing sense of humor, would you think more highly of yourself than you ought?”

“No, but I might take it as an indication tha
t you’d go for a walk with me at Hyde Park.”

Her skin flushed with pleasure. Up to now, she hadn’t wanted
to see any of the gentlemen she’d met again, but she did want to see him. “My mother would chaperone,” she replied, choosing her words carefully, “and she’s likely to be a little…enthusiastic about it.”

“When you say ‘enthusiastic’, do you mean obnoxious?”

“Maybe I’m the only one who sees her that way, but yes, that is what I mean. She’s likely to hint insistently about marriage. You have no need to fear that’s my aim. It’s hers.”

“You already told me that’s her goal for you. I’m sure I can handle her.”

“Well, if you feel brave enough to risk it, then I’ll be happy to take a walk with you.”

She couldn’t be sure, but she thought he seemed relieved. What a curious gentleman he was. He hadn’t been deterred by her honesty, and even better, the threat of her mother hadn’t scared him away. Of all the gentlemen she’d met this Season, he was, by far, the most intriguing one.

The music stopped all too soon, and as sorry as she was to see the dance come to an end, she couldn’t deny the flicker of excitement that came over her as he suggested walking in two days’ time.

“I’m looking forward to walking with you, Miss Giles,” he said with a bow.

“We’ll see if you can say that after spending the afternoon with my mother,” she joked as she curtsied, pleased when he chuckled.

She turned and went to her mother whose eyebrows were raised in undeniable interest. “That seemed to go well,” her mother said, her gaze still on him as he went to talk to another gentleman.

“Mother, please don’t stare.”

“You mustn’t be embarrassed. I didn’t get a good enough look at him while you were dancing.”

“I think you got a good look. You’re just being a busybody again.”

Offering a slight shrug, she opened her fan and waved it. “And what if I am? You’re my only child. Of course, I’m interested in what happens to you.” She bit her lower lip then asked, “Was he a titled gentleman?”

“Yes.”

“And he came over to you to dance with you twice?”

Noting the gleam in her eye, Regina sighed. “In two days, he wishes to take me for a walk in Hyde Park.”

As she expected, her mother let out a squeal of delight. “Marvelous! Two gentlemen vying for your hand!”

“Don’t get excited. Lord Pennella and Lord Davenport are only taking me to the museum and to Hyde Park. Nothing more may come of it.”

“It will if you’re careful. I’m going to have Lady Seyton come by.”

She gagged. “Not her again.”

“She got you this far, and her reputation is excellent.
Everyone Lady Seyton has taught secured a husband in one Season. You can’t go wrong with her.” Regina sighed, and her mother took her by the arm and led her out of the ballroom. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. You must get a good night’s sleep.”

There was no point in arguing with her
, and besides, she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed.