Page 52 of The Baron Takes a Bet
Derek smirked but shook his head.
“I’m afraid I’ve put those days behind me. Besides, hardly anyone would show after all that to-do last year,” Derek said, eyeing Silas.
“Yes, well…” the duke said with a shrug as he donned his hat. “Tomorrow night then?”
They all agreed and nodded their goodbyes, disappearing in three directions as they left. Though Gavin tried to focus on what needed to be packed away and what should stay once he arrived at his apartments in Marylebone, he couldn’t shake the sense that he had seen Jasper. He would need to inform Holly immediately when he returned to Bairnsdale Terrace.
Having settled on a list of things that needed to be packed away, including his wardrobe, ledgers, and the like, Gavin made his way home. By the time he reached Berkeley Square, the sun was setting.
Upon his arrival, he was informed that dinner was just being served.Perfect, he thought as he shrugged out of his coat. He was starving. But it wasn’t just Aunt Marnie, Holly, and Katrina at the table. To his surprise, he found Mr. Armstrong was there as well when he entered the dining room. Gavin’sgaze immediately settled on Holly, whose pursed lips made him curious.
“Mr. Armstrong,” Gavin said, walking down the length of the table. “I didn’t know you were coming for supper.”
“I only just arrived, and the baroness insisted,” the lawyer said, appearing somewhat uncomfortable.
“Yes, I thought it would be nice to have the company,” she said stiffly as Aunt Marnie spoke.
“My brother made a fine match for you, he has,” she said sarcastically, staring daggers at Holly. “Never in my life have I ever met someone so argumentative.”
Gavin sat, suddenly aware of what the tension was about.
“Is that so?” he said mildly, giving his aunt a disbelieving look.
“It is! She doesn’t like the fact that I knew my brother far better than she did—”
“I never said that,” Holly said, her shoulders straight back as she refused to be cowed by the old woman. “I simply said John and I were good friends.”
“He was a fornicator.”
“He was a kind person,” Holly said, her tone slightly louder as she turned to face Gavin. “But we are at an impasse, it seems.”
“Aunt Marnie, I think you should accept the fact that there are plenty of people who quite liked your brother,” Gavin said. “As much as you disapproved of him, there were plenty who didn’t.”
“Animals, the lot of them,” she hissed.
He half expected her to continue with a lecturing tirade, as she had done so many times in the past, but to his surprise, she held her tongue. Curious, he wondered if his newly inherited position held her in place. She would not give Holly the respect she deserved as Gavin’s wife, but she had been conditioned her entire life not to cross the head of the household. Of course, thathad never stopped her from disparaging her brother behind his back, but Gavin suspected that she likely kept her mouth shut whenever she was in his presence.
Gavin took a sip of wine as the first course was served. Onion and beef broth soup was ladled into the delicate, floral pattern bowls before each guest. Gavin inhaled deeply, enjoying the scents of fresh rosemary bread, steamed asparagus, and carrots before turning to the lawyer.
“I’m assuming you’ve brought good news with you, Mr. Armstrong?”
Shifting uncomfortably as the top of his brow began to glisten with sweat, the lawyer gave Gavin a pained look.
“Actually,” Holly said, catching his attention. “Mr. Armstrong has come barring…interestingnews.”
“Interesting news?” Gavin repeated. “What sort of interesting news?”
“Well, my lord, as you know, annulments can only be permitted in the following three cases. Fraud, incompetence, and…” he coughed, “…impotence.”
Holly’s cheeks turned a gentle shade of pink, and at first, Gavin thought she was embarrassed by the word. But when her hand came up to cover a smile, he had the peculiar sensation that he wouldn’t enjoy what came out of the lawyer’s mouth. He remained perfectly still.
“It has been a long day, Mr. Armstrong and I’m afraid my patience is not long. Please say what it is you’ve come to say.”
“Of course, my lord. Well, you see, fraud is only described as using fictitious names. If either of you had used a nickname, for example, or if either one of you had signed only part of your name, that might have been enough to lay claim to fraud, but unfortunately it isn’t the case. And as neither of you stand to lose any inheritance—”
“Thiswomanis using the barony’s money to finance her family’s lifestyle—”
“And she’s bloody well allowed to do so,” Gavin snapped. “I will not hear one more word about your misguided worry for this title’s spending habits.” He turned back, focusing back on Mr. Armstrong. It seemed this day would not end without getting the better of his temper. “Go on, then. What about the fact that neither one of us was consenting? Would that not fall beneath fraud?”
