Page 49 of The Theory of Earls
Leo tilted his head toward the piece of marble he leaned against. “Who’s this bloke?”
“Apollo, I think. They all look the same to me. I don’t dare ask Amanda, or she’ll bend my ear for the next hour. What are you doing, Leo, hiding? I hadn’t expected you’d be here tonight.” Tony knew Amanda had asked Leo to attend, as she did every other ball, dinner party, and fete held at Averell House, but he rarely did so.
“I promised Amanda.” Leo grimaced. “Why couldn’t she be like any other woman when confronted by her husband’s bastard son and just dislike me? Keep me at arm’s length? It’s not right, I tell you.”
Tony laughed at his brother’s discomfort. Amanda had never treated Leo any differently despite Leo being born on the wrong side of the blanket. Most titled ladies would never even acknowledge Leo’s existence, let alone welcome him with open arms. Her treatment of Leo and, indeed, Tony, was a testament to Amanda’s generous and loving heart. She was far too good for the Duke of Averell. But she loved Tony’s father, deeply and unconditionally. Amanda wasn’t unintelligent. She knew of her husband’s sins and loved him anyway. Tony thought his father underserving of such devotion.
“Christ. There’s Winthrop. Don’t let him see me,” Leo said in a low tone, sinking back further into the shadows. “I’ve extended his credit again and he’s already close to the new limit. Insists he’ll pay me back the enormous sum he owes Elysium when he marries. Says the heiress has accepted his proposal and the contracts are to be signed as soon as the legalities are ironed out.” Leo shrugged. “Apparently, the bulk of the girl’s fortune doesn’t become his upon marriage automatically, and he’s seeking to have that overturned with the support of the girl’s guardian. Still won’t tell me who she is. He’d better be successful, though. All he has left, besides the entailed family seat, is a small, isolated estate and I’ve no desire to have that foisted upon me. Nor his mistress, though he’s offered her up.”
Maggie hadn’t exaggerated. Her aunt had already auctioned her off just as she had Walter Lainscott’s hunting dogs. “He has nothing else?” Tony could smell the desperation on Winthrop’s sweating body from across the ballroom.
“No,” Leo assured him. “Whydoyou dislike him so much?”
“I have my reasons.” One very small, delicate reason.
When Winthrop moved aside, Tony saw Maggie, Lady Dobson clinging to her side. His foot actually took a step in her direction before he stopped himself. She looked beautiful. The gold silk had been an inspired choice. He’d never purchased so much as a decorated fan for a woman before, let alone such an expensive gown, but it had pleased Tony to do so for Maggie. The gold silk brought out the streaks of blonde in her otherwise dark hair, making her shimmer in the light of the chandeliers. Tony’s only regret was in not purchasing her a pair of topaz earrings to complement the outfit. He’d paid the modiste handsomely to deliver the gown courtesy of his stepmother, knowing Maggie would never accept the gift from him.
Leo made a small sound of surprise, his head following Tony’s gaze. “Christ,she’sthe heiress Winthrop’s been bragging about bagging.” Understanding suffused Leo’s features. “Shewas the girl at Elysium. Miss Margaret Lainscott, Lady Dobson’s niece. Nowonderyou hate him.”
Tony gave his brother a scathing look before returning his attention to Maggie. His eyes ran over her petite form again, remembering in detail every curve and hollow of her body. Her skin had felt like satin beneath his lips.
Misery shone from her eyes. When Winthrop moved in her direction, Tony could see her shrinking back from him, trying to make herself as small as possible.
Pear-shaped prick.A deep possessive rage pulsed through him as Winthrop took Maggie’s hand, pulling her forward to stand next to him. Winthrop wasn’t even remotely suitable for her, yet Lady Dobson was in favor of the match. Why?
“What do you know about the late Lord Dobson’s finances?” Tony asked his brother in a chilly tone.
“Lord Dobson? You realize he’s been dead for years?”
“I’m aware.”
Pressing a finger to his lips Leo said thoughtfully, “he washeavilyleveraged at Elysium. Owed me a small fortune for gambling and hisotherpleasures. I took pity on the man after meeting his wife.” He nodded in the direction of Lady Dobson. “His debts were settled upon his deathby her, which surprised me.”
“Why were you surprised?”
“While he was alive, he couldn’t pay me the sum he owed. He’d only the London house left. I’m not sure where Lady Dobson got the money, nor do I care. She paid off his other creditors as well, though not his mistress.” Leo chuckled.
Tony suspected Walter Lainscott had given the money to Lady Dobson. And probably supported her lavish lifestyle during his lifetime. An immense scandal had erupted over her younger sister’s hasty marriage to Walter Lainscott, nearly ruining the chances for Agnes to make a decent match. She’d had to settle for Dobson. Amanda had told Tony the entire sordid tale over tea one day. His stepmother didn’t care for Lady Dobson in the least.
Now that Walter was dead, Tony surmised Lady Dobson had lost her source of income. There was probably an annual sum for Maggie’s support, but the bulk of the money would be in her dowry. Maybe Lady Dobson had made a bargain of sorts with Winthrop in return for agreeing to the marriage.
“No wonder you’re in a snit. Your Miss Lainscott is set to wed Winthrop.” Leo shot him a sympathetic look and nodded in Maggie’s direction. “She looks smashing, by the way. Pity the dress will be ruined once Winthrop paws her. I’ve never met a gentleman who sweats so much.”
“I agree,” Welles said, not wishing to give away the anger mounting with every look Winthrop bestowed on Maggie. “A shame to ruin the dress. Though it isn’t any of my business whom she marries. Winthrop or anyone else.”
“True,” Leo said absently. “It isn’t as thoughyoucould marry her.”
Tony ignored his brother’s baiting.
Lady Dobson stood smug next to Maggie, the massive crimson turban on her head tilting slightly as she greeted an acquaintance. Her angular features were made sharper by the light of the chandeliers. She said something to Maggie, a chastisement of some sort, if the sneer on Lady Dobson’s face was any indication.
“Bitch,” he cursed under his breath, his fists clenching.
“Careful, brother,” Leo said softly. “You can’t run across the ballroom floor and claim her.”
The sight across the room made Tony angrier, fueling the ugly jealousy and possessiveness already circulating in his system.
A flurry of blue skirts appeared, surrounding Maggie. It was his sister, Romy. Maggie and Romy greeted each other warmly while Lady Dobson frowned in displeasure. She didn’t care for the fact her niece had managed to garner the support of the Duchess of Averell and her daughters.
