Wicked Wager (3 page)

“There is the small matter of the marriage ceremony,” James reminded him. “Unless you think to get a clergyman to perform the rites in the barn, you may have a problem.”

“Well, she’s bound to come back to the house sometime. We’ll discuss the details then. Meanwhile, I’m starved. Let’s hope this Mrs. Foxworthy is a bit more hospitable than her mistress.”

****

“Damn! He’s still here!” Penny grimaced as she and Tad walked up to the house and saw the phaeton in the driveway.

“At least he had the decency to have someone unhitch the horses and take them to the barn,” Tad pointed out. The dark-haired youth went to examine the carriage. “Fine rig, too. Think he drove it here himself?”

“Probably. He looked like he could handle a team easily enough.” That was an understatement. She’d been expecting some dandified tulip like Adrian. It had been a shock to discover Revington was a very different sort of man. The lines of his immaculately tailored coat emphasized his well-formed, muscular physique. And with his striking jet-black hair and dark eyes, he managed to seem both elegant and formidable. If he’d been a stallion, she’d have bought in on the spot.

“What now?” Tad asked.

She turned to the house, chewing her lower lip. “Let’s sneak in and see what we can find out about our adversary.”

Tad nodded. The two of them went around and entered by the servants’ entrance. Mrs. Foxworthy had put their guests in the drawing room. As they approached and heard voices, Penny nodded in satisfaction to her companion. She and Tad crouched near the open door and listened.

“Grand old place, isn’t it?” a man remarked in a rich, baritone voice. “I wonder what year it was built.”

“That’s Revington,” Penny whispered to Tad.

“It’s not bad, I suppose,” the other man responded. “But think of the work and the investment it would take to get it up to civilized standards. You hardly have time for such an endeavor.”

“I suppose you’re right. The main thing is to get the chit in front of an altar and settle this business. I can worry about what to do with the property later.”

“You’re incorrigible, Marcus. You still mean to go through with this? The woman obviously has no manners. To barely greet us, then rush off to the stables.” He tsked loudly.

“I don’t care a fig for her manners. It’s not as if I intend to have her presented at court.”

“But you will have to spend some time with her. There is the matter of the…er, uh…consummation of the marriage.”

Penny felt her face flush. She moved farther back from the doorway.

“You really think that will be necessary?” Revington asked.

“Oh, absolutely. Withersby’s just the sort to cry foul if you don’t go through with all the proper legal details.”

“I suppose you’re right. Well, it shouldn’t be much of a hardship. She’s obviously got all the proper female parts, despite her outlandish clothing. And I actually thought she was rather appealing, under all that dirt and scraggly hair. Quite lovely blue eyes, did you notice?”

Penny stiffened. He’d called her hair scraggly, the bastard! But then, that had been her aim. Besides, he’d also said her eyes were lovely.

“Yes, I suppose she’s got potential, just as the house does.” The other man sounded irritated. “But do you really have time for any of this? Shouldn’t you be getting back to London? If you’re gone too long, the deep-pocketed players will find someone else to lose their money to.”

“Will they? In only a day?” Revington’s voice rang with sarcasm. “Why don’t you stop fighting me, James? It’s no use. You know how stubborn I am.”

James sighed. “So, I do. But dash it, you’re also usually impatient. Are you really going to sit around here all day waiting for the chit to show herself?”

“Of course not. We’ll give her a little while longer. If she’s not back before three, we’ll walk down to the stables and fetch her.”

Penny motioned to Tad that she’d heard enough. They crept back down the hall and out the way they’d come.

“I, say, what are you going to do now?” Tad’s freckled brow furrowed in concentration. “You could hide from him. Horngate is big enough that you might elude him for a few days.”

“Hide from him?” Penny shook her head. “I’m mistress here. I won’t sneak around like an errant child avoiding punishment.”

The groom shook his head. “He’s a greedy bastard. You can hear it in his voice. And stubborn, too. Said so himself. It’s not going to be easy to convince him to give up Horngate.”

Penny was having the same thoughts, but she refused to give in to them. “It’s far too soon to admit defeat.” She squared her shoulders. “I’m going up to change. The second phase of my scheme is about to begin.”

Chapter Two

“Given up yet?” James put down his cup and jerked his head toward the clock on the mantel.

Marcus grimaced and got to his feet. “I suppose I’ll have to fetch her.”

The next moment, Miss Montgomery entered the room. She was dressed in a hideous green day dress at least ten years out of fashion. It hung on her slender form like a sack. She’d made some attempt to arrange her hair, but it was an inept effort at best. Wisps floated around her face in wild disarray.

She smiled at them, then hurried to the refreshment table. “Cook makes the best cherry tarts, don’t you think?” She stuffed one into her mouth, juice dribbling down her chin. “And these cucumber sandwiches… Mmmm…divine.”

As she gobbled down several, Marcus watched in amazement. The chit was more than eccentric. She was downright batty. Or maybe she’d never been taught the manners of a lady. Stuck away in the country, orphaned at a young age, she might have had no one to teach her.

But Mrs. Foxworthy, the housekeeper, appeared gracious and polite. Odd that a servant would seem more well-bred than her mistress. Was he being gammoned here? Had Withersby convinced his cousin to present herself as an ill-mannered, awkward gapeseed so he would back out of the marriage? But the woman appeared so innocent, those wide blue eyes incapable of deceit.

She turned from the table, still chewing. “So, when do we leave for London? I can’t wait to see all the sights. The opera, the balls and parties, Almack’s.” She approached him, smiling ingenuously. “And if it’s possible, I would very much like to be presented to the Prince Regent. It’s my fondest wish.”

For a moment, Marcus couldn’t speak. He cleared his throat. “Miss Montgomery…I—that is, there’s no reason for you to come to London at all. You see, under the circumstances, this marriage is really a business arrangement. While it is necessary that we exchange vows in order for me to…um, take ownership of the property, it really isn’t going to be a marriage in the true sense of the word.”

Something flashed in her eyes, a hint of pure fury. Then it was gone, her expression as wide-eyed and guileless as ever. “Oh. Adrian didn’t tell me any of that. He made it seem that you…that we…” She looked as if she was going to cry.

James cleared his throat, and although Marcus refused to look at him, he knew his solicitor was regarding him with profound disapproval.

Guilt wrapped around Marcus’s neck like a noose. If this woman was even half as innocent as she appeared, he was using her badly. And then there was the matter of consummating the marriage. If, as James suggested, Adrian was going to insist on that legality, his explanation to Miss Montgomery was inaccurate. A business arrangement did not generally involve sexual intimacy.

“Miss Montgomery, I’m sorry that your cousin…that he misled you regarding the terms of our…relationship. You see, having not even met you, I assumed that—”

Dabbing at her eyes, she broke in, “I may be an unsophisticated country miss, but every woman dreams of her wedding day, of wearing a beautiful dress and being feted and admired. I know I have no right to ask it of you, but I really do desire a proper wedding.”

Marcus took a deep breath. What could he say? “Of course, you have the right. I didn’t really think…about any of this. You should come out of this arrangement with something. It’s only fair…”

She smiled at him through her tears, and something inside Marcus twisted. Despite the horrible dress and untidy hair, she was one of the loveliest creatures he’d ever seen. Those huge blue eyes, elegant arched brows and temptingly full lips. She made him want to kiss all her tears away. “I-I’m certain something can be worked out. If you really desire to come to London for the wedding… And you should have some new clothing.” He motioned to the green garment. “I’m hardly an expert in that sort of thing, but really, that gown doesn’t do a thing for you.”

She looked down at herself. “I’m afraid it’s all I have. I’m always been so busy with the horses I never have an opportunity to dress up. I would love a chance to purchase a new wardrobe. I’ve heard that in London, a woman must wear something new nearly every day. Day dresses, riding costumes, pelisses, shoes and hats.”

Marcus felt a stirring of unease. How much would all this cost him? Miss Montgomery was a substantial heiress, but her assets were likely tied up in the horse operation and the estate. When it came to purchases in London, it would be
his
money she spent.

“I’m certain something can be arranged.” Despite the sinking feeling in his gut, he told himself it would be all right. He might have to spend some money to properly dress Miss Montgomery, but it would be worth it to possess Horngate. For someone who’d lived in rented houses for the past ten years, the idea of owning property was thrilling. And he wasn’t about to give up what he’d fairly won. Miss Montgomery was simply a complication in his plan. A most startling and unpredictable complication.

Once again, he searched for a hint of Miss Montgomery’s true character beneath her artlessly pretty countenance.

Was she simply a naïve country girl who’d been taken advantage of by her scheming cousin? Or was there more to her? It bothered him he was so affected by her appearance. He couldn’t seem to think clearly around her. She distracted him, a dangerous situation for a gamester.

But then, she wouldn’t be around long. She’d stay at his townhouse a few days while she was appropriately outfitted and saw some of the amusements of London. Then they’d be married and he would insist she return to Horngate. If she did take a fancy to the London social whirl—which he could hardly imagine, given her obvious passion for horses and farm life—he would explain he was seldom invited to parties. In fact, as a gamester who’d won considerable sums of money off members of the
ton
, he was generally avoided by the upper echelons of society.

“A London wedding it is,” he said. “You can ride back with us today, then stay at my townhouse until all the arrangements can be made.”

“You want me to leave today? But what about my responsibilities here?”

“Now, see here, Miss Montgomery, I’m a busy man. I’m not going all the way back to the city, then return in a few days to fetch you. If you want the marriage to take place in London, you’ll have to find a way to come with me now.” Harsh, but necessary. He wouldn’t let this chit, appealing though she might be, dictate his life.

She pursed her lips, an extremely provocative gesture, then nodded. “I suppose I could get Mr. Hareton to take over with the horses. But it’s already late in the day. By the time I get a few things together, it will be nearly dark.”

“We’ll travel as far as we can, then stay in an inn for the night.”

“But is that proper, sir, given that we’re not wed?”

“Bring a maid with you, if you’re concerned about the proprieties.” He was getting irritated. The woman seemed to be wracking her brain for reasons to delay.

“I’ll go pack,” she finally said, then moved toward the door with aggravating slowness.

As soon as she was gone, James addressed Marcus in a smug voice. “So, it’s going to be a one-day affair, is it? A quick visit to the country to get married, then back to London and your normal routine?”

“Perhaps it’s more complicated than I thought,” Marcus responded. “But I can handle this, have no doubt of it. It’s just like cosseting a child. Distract them with a few treats and they’ll willingly go along with your plans. I’ll purchase a few gowns for Miss Montgomery, take her around to see the city. After that, she’ll go to the altar quite eagerly.”

“A child, is she? I think you underestimate Miss Montgomery.”

Remembering the flash of keen intelligence he’d glimpsed in her eyes, Marcus wondered if his friend wasn’t on to something. “Do you think this is all pretense? Her hoydenish behavior when we arrived? The disgraceful manners? The wretched gown? Maybe Withersby put her up to this. He might think I’ll be so appalled at the prospect of marrying her that I’d hightail it back to London and forget about the wager.”

“Perhaps,” James said thoughtfully. “If that’s the case, do you really want to be wed to a woman who’d do something so conniving?”

“Dammit! I don’t want to be married at all! I’m only going through with this to collect the debt owed me.” Marcus raked his fingers through his hair. What if Miss Montgomery was playing him for a fool? His resolve hardened. He’d faced clever opponents many times before and always managed to outsmart them. “Maybe she is a shrewd little minx. It really doesn’t matter. I still intend to have my way in this.”

****

“What happened?” Tad demanded as soon as Penny met him behind the house.

“Nothing. He seems as determined as ever to marry me.”

“The gown? Stuffing your face with food? None of it scared him off?”

Penny shook her head. “He’s so consumed with greed, I think he could have discovered I was bald and toothless and he’d still marry me.”

“Well, that’s part of the problem. It’s not easy to make someone like you look ugly.”

Penny gazed at him in surprise. “Really? You think so?”

“Of course. All the fellows do. But we can hardly make a fuss over you under the circumstances. You’re our mistress and far above us.”

“Bosh. That’s nonsense.” Penny felt herself blushing. The stable hands were her friends. She worked side-by-side with them. She didn’t want them to think of her as some snobby, nose-in-the-air miss.

“Anyway, I suspect that’s part of the trouble. Revington can see you’re worth having, and he’s not about to let go of his prize.”