Page 49 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

“At least you are still fairly pretty,” Lady Gwenda noted. “Your large dowry will also help you land a husband. If you truly seek one this Season.”

Lord Talflynn chuckled. “You had better hurry, Lady Adalyn. The bets are all on for this Season.”

His comment perplexed her. “What do you mean by that remark, my lord?”

The viscount looked uncomfortable and glanced away without answering her question. Adalyn looked about their circle and saw Lord Pierce and Lord Bayless suddenly interested in looking about the drawing room, as well.

Lady Gwenda smiled smugly, though, and asked, “Oh, you have not heard about the betting book at White’s? You have been in it forages. So many gentlemen have lost money they wagered on you since you have never wed. I have heard the betting has gone crazy this year since it is public knowledge that you finally do plan to wed.”

Adalyn felt her cheeks burn in humiliation. She had heard of the White’s betting book but only that it involved silly bets.

Not ones involving a lady’s reputation.

“If you will excuse me,” she said, leaving the circle and the drawing room itself, rushing down the stairs and stopping, unsure where to go. She only knew she needed to be alone and collect her thoughts before butting heads with Lady Gwenda again, which was a certainty.

She spied a passing footman and called out to him. “Where is your garden?”

“This way, my lady,” he said, leading her to a set of French doors.

“Thank you.”

She entered the garden and because it was only dimly lit, she paused at a bench just a few steps into it. Sitting, she breathed deeply, trying to quell the emotions rumbling within her. Wondering how long she had been a part of the betting book filled her mind. Was she a laughingstock that others gossiped about behind her back? She had never thought so. Then again, Lady Gwenda was the child of malicious gossips so it shouldn’t surprise her at what the woman had revealed.

“Is something troubling you, Lady Adalyn?”

She looked up and saw Lord Rosewell standing before her.

“Go away,” she told him.

He didn’t leave. Instead, he took a seat on the bench.

“I wish to be alone, my lord.”

He clucked his tongue. “You look as if you need some company.”

“Not yours,” she muttered loudly enough for him to hear and he chuckled. “I don’t need your company or anyone’s right now.”

“It seems you have tangled with Lady Gwenda,” he noted. “I heard the end of her conversation. About the wager regarding you.”

“I never knew of it,” she said hotly, her face flaming at the mention of the book.

He brushed the back of his hand along her cheek. “Why don’t we make a few souls who have wagered on you happy? Wed me, Adalyn.”

She bristled at him using her name so informally. “I told you, Lord Rosewell, I am not interested in becoming your countess.”

His hands suddenly squeezed her shoulders. “You should be. I am considered quite the catch. Handsome. Wealthy.”

“And I told you that you aren’t marriage material. At least not for me.”

His fingers tightened and she winced. “Wed me to quiet the gossips, Adalyn. Let me get an heir off you.” He smiled. “Then we can each do as we please. You can take as many lovers as you choose while I do the same.”

She only wanted Ev and knew that could never come to pass. She wondered if she was truly meant to wed at all.

“Thank you for your offer, my lord, but I do not want a marriage with you.”

Now, he gripped her painfully and she gasped. “But I want one with you.”

His mouth slammed down on hers and Adalyn pushed hard against his chest, trying to break the kiss. Lord Rosewell tried to force her lips open as she struggled to escape.

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