Page 29 of Wager for a Wife

Chapter 6

The evening couldn’t have goneany worse.

Louisa slept until well past noon the following day, awaking with a terrible headache from the feigned smiling she’d done—hours and hours of smiling—until her jaw had been sore and she’d feared her face would permanently remain in some ghastly grimace afterward.

That had all been more than enough to bear—but then the absolute worst thing that could have happened had happened. The Earl of Kerridge had made an appearance at the assembly, arriving fashionably late—but just in time for the announcement of her betrothal. He had locked eyes with her at the announcement—and then left.

Brief though his appearance had been, it had been enough.

She sipped the hot chocolate Tibbetts had brought to her room, hoping it would ease her throbbing head. Chocolate was the best remedy for nearly everything Louisa could think of, and Tibbetts knew this.

“Choose something drab and comfortable for me to wear,” Louisa said as Tibbetts rummaged through her wardrobe. “I don’t think I can manage wearing any bright colors today.” What she longed to do was go riding. If she were at Ashworth Park, she would give Athena her head and let her gallop through the countryside, just the two of them, free to do as they chose and go where they wished. That would never do in London, where she must take Tibbetts or a footman or a brother with her everywhere. Besides, that would require talking.

Louisa was not in the mood to speak to anyone today if she could help it.

Tibbetts selected a simple mauve gown for her to wear, and all too soon, Louisa had no excuse but to leave her bedroom. If she didn’t, her mother would show up to see if she was unwell, and for the world, Louisa wouldn’t worry her mother.

“It’s about time you showed your sleepy head,” Anthony said when Louisa arrived at the morning room. He and Alex were still breaking their fast, which meant they hadn’t beaten her here by much. “Mama told the staff to serve breakfast later than usual.”

Alex was shoveling food onto a plate over at the sideboard. “It’s a good thing you finally showed up, Weezy,” he said. “I may not have saved any food for you otherwise. I’m famished.”

“Where is Mama?” Louisa asked, picking up a plate and nudging Alex out of the way so she could help herself to a few sausages before he could take them all. She already knew Papa would be seeing to his duty at the House of Lords, as he did every day while they were in Town.

“She promised the Duchess of Atherton she would call on her today,” Anthony said. “They’re probably compiling a list of suitable young ladies for Alex so he will do his duty and marry one of them.” He shot a lazy grin at Alex, who was seating himself next to Anthony, his plate piled with food. “Now that you’re betrothed, Weezy, I think Mama has matrimony on the mind.”

The Duchess of Atherton was one of Mama’s closest friends. She was short and plump, with twinkling hazel eyes that missed nothing. The duke frequently referred to her as The General, so clever she was at everything, whether it came to running her household or offering astute opinions on politics. Louisa adored her.

“Luckily for me and sadly for them, I am making plans to leave for Rome shortly, which will allow me a little more time before my heels are held to the fire,” Alex said, spearing a piece of fried kidney with his fork.

“Besides, you’re forgetting that Alex is as good as promised to Lady Elizabeth Spaulding, Anthony,” Louisa said. “Papa and the Duke of Marwood have been planning their nuptials practically since she was born. If Mama and the Duchess of Atherton are making lists, they are most likely intended for you.”

“Good point, Weezy. Perhaps I’ll join you on that trip, Alex, even if Bonaparte is rattling his saber wherever he goes,” Anthony said.

“He’s too busy rattling his saber at Austria presently, so I’m not all that worried, and you’re welcome to join me if you’d like—although I suspect Papa will insist you return to Cambridge.”

“Likely true, blast it. Of course, as his heir, he may not let you go haring off to parts unknown, you know, with the turmoil from France spreading everywhere.”

“You’re probably right. But Lady Elizabeth is still a child, and I’m not ready to settle down and marry yet.” He took a bite of eggs and chewed thoughtfully. “Perhaps I’ll consider the West Indies.”

“I wish I could travel to Rome,” Louisa said wistfully. “I imagine Rome to be an entirely enchanting place, from what I’ve read. It is quite unfair that young gentlemen are allowed to travel on their own, while a young lady may only travel well escorted. It is to protect her from ‘dissolute men,’ Papa said.” She paused, pondering the topic for a moment, in spite of her aching head. “What would qualify as being dissolute?”

“Do you really wish to know?” Anthony asked, looking shocked, while Alex choked on his tea before bursting out laughing.

“Not really,” Louisa said, taking a bite of toast as Alex regained his composure. “Except—well, Grandfather must have been somewhat dissolute.” She wouldn’t be stuck in this mess and marrying Viscount Farleigh if he hadn’t been. “And Lord Farleigh’s father was apparently even worse than Grandfather.”

“If you truly wish to know,” Alex said with a diabolical twinkle in his eye, “some fellows like to pursue reckless indulgence, leading to excessive wagering and drunkenness . . . and then there are the actresses and—”

“A true gentleman knows his limits, Louisa,” Anthony said firmly, interrupting Alex. “That is all you need to know. Stop teasing her, Alex. We don’t need to scandalize our baby sister.”

Alex shrugged, chuckling. “She asked.”

Since Alex hadn’t actually said anything Louisa didn’t already know, she didn’t precisely feel scandalized, and she supposed she didn’t really want to know the sordid details anyway. “Tomorrow at church, the first of the banns are to be read,” she said.

Alex set down his knife and fork, and Anthony reached for her hand, both her brothers’ faces instantly sobering.

“How are you holding up through all of this, Weezy?” Anthony asked her.

“As well as can be expected, I suppose.” She loved her brothers, truly, and knew they were there for her—but she wasn’t sure she wanted to share her feelings with them. Besides, she wasn’t even sure she could put what she was feeling into words.

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