Page 129 of From Rakes to Riches

“Who is she?” he asked Huntington, tucking away thoughts of Lola for his late-night fantasies.

“I’d rather not say until I’m sure my story will have a happy ending.” Huntington’s grin grew wider. “Besides, it’s good sport to keep you in suspense.”

Theodore chuckled, accustomed to his friend’s clever sense of humor. “What about Mowbray? If there’s news to share about the baron, I’d prefer you told me now.”

“Actually,” Huntington looked over his left and right shoulder respectively before he continued, “the Baron has had a significant change in luck.”

“Is that so?” Theodore replied. “The evening we spent playing cards, he hadn’t had a very good run. Mowbray already appeared on a downward slide and I credited his disagreeable temperament to that cause. Nevertheless, if he continued to gamble so recklessly, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear he’s brought about his own ruin.”

“He’s become an all-around miserable fellow.” Huntington nodded knowingly. “He hasn’t visited the cardroom in several days and I’ve heard he challenged some poor chap to fisticuffs over an accusation of cheating.”

“Nothing good can come of that.”

“Indeed. He deserves whatever he gets.” Huntington’s expression grew devilish. “He’s too foolish to stop gambling when he’s got pockets to let.”

“Purse-pinched?”

“Worse, entirely out of gingerbread,” Huntington said as they both accepted a glass of brandy from the footman’s tray. “Damned low water and on the rocks.”

“Completely cleaned out,” Theodore added to their battle of words. “Not a sixpence to scratch with or feather to fly.”

“Rolled-up and run off his legs,” Huntington went on, enjoying their parry of jests. “In other words, his windmill has dwindled to a nutshell.”

“You win,” Theodore said in reference to their banter. He sipped his brandy before he continued in a more serious tone. “It does make me wonder what Mowbray was thinking, squandering his money in such a manner. It’s like he couldn’t control himself from causing his own financial ruin.”

It was a good thing Margaret had ended that relationship, especially now, considering Mowbray’s decline.

“I can’t speak to his thinking. We only played cards and didn’t socialize beyond the club.” Huntington fell silent, although he pepped up a beat later. “If I’m successful in wooing the lovely lady in my sights, why don’t you find someone who will tolerate you for a few hours and we’ll make it a grand afternoon together?”

“Interesting choice of words,” Theodore said with a smirk.

“No, I’m serious. We can plan an outing. A picnic or drive in the country,” Huntington elaborated.

“This may surprise you, but I already know who I would ask to accompany me,” Theodore shared.

“Is that so?” Huntington looked impressed. “By all means, tell me more about this mystery lady. You’ve certainly worked quickly considering you’ve just returned home.”

“Our association was unexpected,” Theodore began, a sense of satisfaction and pleasure settling inside him. “And she’s remarkable.”

The description he’d just given Huntington was inadequate in myriad ways. Lola was far more than remarkable. Anyone who met her would easily notice her beauty, intelligence and graceful nature, but she was also generous, caring and to his delight, seductive. If he paused to deliberate further, his list would become endless. She exceeded all the necessary qualities demanded of elegant ladies of ton who did little more than flit around a ballroom without a thought in their head or hold tea parties to disguise their gossip.

He was all at once struck with the image of Lola amid a candlelit ballroom, an exquisite off the shoulder gown tracing her delicate curves, her long silky hair done up in an elaborate style, while her eyes twinkled and her luscious mouth tempted him to defy etiquette and kiss her right there in front of everyone. He’d be proud to have her on his arm and anyone who had something unkind to say about it could go straight to the devil.

Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to see her. He glanced at the longcase clock in the opposite corner, annoyed to note the time was only half eight.

“Well, well, well,” Huntington drawled after a long sip of brandy. “If I haven’t just seen the show.”

“That being?” Theodore asked, even though his smile hadn’t disappeared.

“Your face, your eyes…” Huntington gestured in a circle with his hand. “For a moment there, Essex, you appeared the star-crossed lover.”

“Star-crossed? Not at all.” He chuckled while he objected. “That particular story has a terrible ending. My version is quite the opposite.” He finished his drink and set the glass on the bookshelf near his shoulder. He couldn’t show up at Vauxhall again and stand below the tightrope gawking at Lola.

But he certainly wanted to.

Maybe a brisk walk would help burn off his never-ending restlessness. He struggled to wipe the smile from his face.

“I’m off.” He chanced a look at Huntington who continued to stare at him in amusement. “Stay in touch, especially if you manage to speak to the elusive lady you’ve mentioned. We can plan our outing if somehowyoumeet with success.”

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