Page 75 of Wager for a Wife

Chapter 15

Before Louisa arrived at thehouse, she had successfully forced back her tears, which was a good thing, for Alex was heading in her direction.

“Ah, there you are,” he said when he reached her side. “I was instructed with some emphasis to—and I quote—‘Go and fetch the two of them, and do not return until you do’—unquote.” He sighed dramatically. “I should be dreadfully lonely out here by myself with only the occasional sheep or goose wandering by for company, not to mention getting rather hungry, if I didn’t find you both. Oh, and by the way, Weezy dear, in case it wasn’t obvious who had given me those instructions, I should tell you that our illustrious and highly anxious parents—both of them—and our wholly incompetent brother have just arrived on the scene and have commandeered the place. Considering how swiftly they got here on the heels of Viscount Farleigh, I wonder if they took the time to pack so much as a comb before leaving London. Brace yourself, little sister. I have already felt their stinging wrath for accompanying you here uninvited.”

“I think when it comes to expansive speech, you’re more like me than you’d like to admit,” Louisa said, managing for the most part to sound normal.

“Ha! I doubt that. But where is Farleigh? I was to bring him back as well.”

“I think Mama and Papa will be content if I am with you,” she said.

“Very well. They are not upset at him, anyway, but only at us. We are the ones who conspired to come here without his knowledge.”

Grimshaw met them when they arrived back at the house, doing his best to look the part of the serene butler but appearing flustered nonetheless. Louisa couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. “The Marquess and Marchioness of Ashworth are here and are awaiting you in the sitting room, Lady Louisa,” he said with as much dignity as he could, poor man. Louisa knew how austere and intimidating her father could be on occasion. This, without a doubt, was one of those occasions.

“Unfortunately, they are awaiting me as well,” Alex muttered. “Or I’d conjure up an excuse to disappear.”

Louisa wished she could disappear as well. When the old butler opened the door, Louisa firmed her resolve and went inside. It was jarring to see her elegantly dressed parents in Farleigh Manor’s sitting room—the counterpoint of their finery against the faded shabbiness of the furnishings brought William’s words back to her. I am a poor man, Louisa. Worse than poor, for I am a man saddled with huge debts and few resources.

The gulf between them widened at this revelation. William had made it perfectly clear that this was a disparity he wouldn’t overlook.

In addition to Mama and Papa, Louisa belatedly noticed Anthony lurking near a window, looking as if he’d been subjected to their parents’ censures over the entire length of the journey.

“Sorry, Weezy,” he said glumly.

Alex followed her into the room, and Grimshaw closed the door.

“Your brothers, who I always assumed had more sense than they apparently do, have already given us the particulars,” Papa said in his most imperious voice. “You all owe Lord Farleigh an apology for imposing upon his hospitality without permission and intentionally intruding on his privacy. I am appalled at your behavior. All of you.” He glared at Alex and shook his head as though expecting him, as heir, to know better, which, unquestionably, he did. Her brothers would not be in this mess if it hadn’t been for her. “Rest assured,” Papa continued, “that I will deal with each of you appropriately as soon as we return to London, which journey we will commence immediately, notwithstanding the long travel your mother has already been subjected to by your foolish actions.”

“Papa . . .” Louisa began, unsure what to say that would not have her weeping again. She refused to shed any more tears over William, especially in front of her parents and brothers. She should be relieved that he’d released her from the vowel. And she was, of course.

“There, you see, Father; Louisa would like to speak with you,” Alex piped up. “Perhaps it would be best if Anthony and I slip discreetly away and leave the rest of you to talk . . .” He edged toward the door.

“Don’t go too far,” Papa growled. “I’m not done with the two of you yet.”

Her brothers hurried from the room as if the devil’s hounds were at their heels.

“Please don’t be too angry with them, Papa,” Louisa said. “I was the one who convinced them to help me. I needed to discover more about William than I knew, and I decided the only way that was going to happen was if I sought out the people who knew him best. And those people are here.”

“And what have you discovered?” Mama asked, studying Louisa too carefully.

Louisa fumbled in her pocket for the small squares of paper that had been the vowel and held them out, her fingers trembling. “That I am free, Mama. This is the vowel, and William”—she choked on his Christian name; she had no right to use it anymore—“has torn it up. I am free.”

“What?” Papa said, his brows furrowing. He took the papers from her and examined them more closely. “What of the marriage, then?”

“I am freed from that too, apparently. Oh, Mama!” Louisa ran to her and collapsed in her arms. “I want to go home.” Why was she crying again? She was so tired of crying. “Please take me home.”

Papa walked to the bell pull and yanked it. Unfortunately, the frayed cord came off in his hand. He stalked to the door and opened it.

“Yes, your lordship?” Louisa heard Grimshaw say in a wobbly voice.

“Lord Halford and Lady Louisa’s belongings are to be packed and brought to my carriage immediately. We are leaving.” He handed the bell pull cord to Grimshaw.

“Yes, your lordship. My apologies, your lordship.”

Papa shut the door with a thud. “Louisa, you will remain here with your mother while I look for your infernal brothers. And Lord Farleigh had better not cross my path during that time. I am of a mood to call him out.”

“Ashworth! No!” Mama cried. “Not a duel.”

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