A Scandalous Wager Read online

  ‘Like me? Perhaps he too is hiding a seemingly insurmountable hurt.’

  ‘Perhaps. I never thought of him like that, but of course, knowing you I can see how it could be possible. Whatever hurt he felt, it was many, many years ago.’ Oliver looked out the window as the carriage jerked to a stop. ‘Ah, we are here. Come.’

  He got out and handed her down, kissing the top of her hand before placing it on his arm. She wanted to lean her head on his shoulder and sigh in contentment. The sound of music wafting down the stairs reminded her that she had yet another ball to get through, another set of strangers to impress, another night of being the Black Raven. She wanted to shed the mask of her reputation but she had yet to prove her innocence and only Bellamy knew the real her. She would do her best to make Oliver proud tonight. He wanted her to like his friend Ashton and his family and so she would do her best to be civil no matter how they reacted to her.

  A footman dressed in the Warrington livery of green and gold met them at the door. He took their hats and coats and ushered them towards the receiving line. This was the most tedious part of any ball, waiting to be greeted by the hosts. The line moved fairly fast and was made easier by Oliver’s easy banter.

  ‘Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?’

  ‘Three times, but who is counting?’ She smiled just so he would smile back.

  ‘I like this colour on you. It brings out your eyes.’ He was referring to her gown of sapphire blue.

  ‘Thank you. It is new.’

  ‘I can’t wait to take it off later,’ he whispered in her ear, his hand on her waist.

  She stifled a smile. ‘I would prefer you kept your hands respectful. There are others in this line you know.’

  ‘Are there?’ He looked around as if seeing the other guests for the first time. ‘Gad, you’re right, hundreds of them too.’

  ‘If you say you only have eyes for me I may just cast up my accounts.’

  ‘Even if it were true?’ This time he winked at her but did not remove his warm hand from her waist. He was impossible to chastise.

  Lisbeth gasped when she got her first glimpse of the Marquis of Warrington. He was tall, very tall, with dark hair that was slightly greying at the temples, and when he looked at her over the sea of heads he studied her for a few moments. His eyes were a stormy grey, hard like steel and ready to do battle if necessary. She returned his regard with an unflinching look of her own. She knew this game. The Marquis’s eyes narrowed a moment then gave her an infinitesimal nod of his head, that she was sure was for her alone. Oliver gave her a little push, whispering, ‘I told you he was frightening, didn’t I?’

  The line progressed steadily until finally they found themselves before the dowager marchioness.

  ‘Bellamy, so glad you could make it,’ said the dowager. Her smile was easy, her eyes guarded, but then Bellamy had always found her a contradiction.

  ‘I am glad to be here,’ he said with a smile as he bowed over the Marchioness’ hand. ‘May I introduce the Countess of Blackhurst.’

  ‘Lady Blackhurst.’ The dowager nodded in acknowledgement. ‘This is my son, Warrington.’

  The Marquis bowed over Lisbeth’s hand and shook Oliver’s, but said nothing.

  Oliver explained the others in the welcoming party to her in a whisper. ‘Charles, Earl of Harlow, and his wife, Gabrielle. Thomas, Viscount Epping, and his wife, Anna. Mr Tony Ashton and Miss Marianne.’

  Lisbeth couldn’t help but stare as they made their bows and curtseys to each other. They were all so handsome. Marianne was a beauty, too, but she had yet to grow into her full beauty. She would be stunning in a few years.

  Lord Anthony lingered over Lisbeth’s hand a little too long. She felt him assessing her as she greeted the others. He was handsome, but in a different way to the rest of his family. If anything he most resembled his eldest brother William, except that he was fair. His summer blue eyes showed appreciation at what he saw in her but instead of revolting her it intrigued her.

  ‘I hope you will do me the honour of a dance, Lady Blackhurst,’ he said, giving her an assessing look.

  She understood his reservations. Bellamy was his friend. She just hoped he would give her the benefit of the doubt. ‘I would like that, Lord Anthony, thank you.’

  ‘I hope you will do me the honour of a dance, Miss Marianne?’ Oliver asked. Marianne giggled and gave her curtsy. He took up her dance card and scrawled his name in the appropriate place. She smiled and Lisbeth knew that yes, stunning was exactly what she would be when she had grown a little more in confidence.

  Marianne was her not so long ago. She too had been young, eager, and hopeful of a good match. All the while she had been overwhelmed by all the men who had fought for her attention.

  Nathaniel had seemed like a god to her then. Tall, dark and handsome with an air of power about him that Lisbeth had found intoxicating. She had been blind to his faults, if he had shown them at all, in those few short weeks he had courted her. He had been nothing but the utmost gentleman. He did not even kiss her until she had accepted his proposal. After that his attentions had waned dramatically. He had what he wanted, her dowry. Why put in any more effort than was necessary. She had told herself it was because he was a busy man and she had much to do anyway planning the wedding. She should have seen the signs but in her innocence she had not known what to look for.

  She hoped for a very different result for Marianne.

  ***

  The ball was progressing well and soon Lord Anthony was bowing over Lisbeth’s hand. She caught Oliver giving his friend a narrowed look of warning. She tried to put them both at ease.

  ‘Do stop frowning, Bellamy. I assure you, I shall bring Lord Anthony back to you without any broken toes.’

  ‘It is not his toes I am worried about.’

  ‘Do not listen to him, Lord Anthony,’ she said, as she took his arm.

  ‘I rarely do, Lady Blackhurst,’ he replied with a smile.

  They had just completed the first set when Ashton spoke. ‘I must admit that anybody who can put up with Bellamy for more than an hour has my undying admiration.’

  ‘Thank you, Lord Anthony. I agree that he can be most vexing at times but he has charmed his way into my affection.’

  ‘Yes, it is most annoying how he does that.’ They parted as they turned and skipped to the other end of the line.

  ‘I know you have questions for me,’ she said when they were again opposite each other.

  ‘I do. Some you may think ungentlemanly of me to ask.’

  He was watching her reaction, perhaps expecting her to swoon from guilt or blurt out a confession. ‘Will you ask them anyway, Lord Anthony?’

  He smiled. ‘With so many ears about it would be indelicate of me to do so. However, I am concerned.’

  ‘About whether or not I killed my husband or whether or not I would repeat such an act with your friend?’

  If he was shocked by her boldness, he did not react. They moved through a few more sets before he spoke again. ‘I do not care about your dead husband and Bellamy can look after himself. He is no easy mark. Are you aware that Bellamy’s brother invested with your husband?’

  ‘I am aware.’

  ‘Have you told him this?’

  ‘He has asked me what he wanted to know about his brother and the speculation. I have answered his questions.’

  ‘Have you told him about your involvement in the speculation?’

  ‘I am afraid you will find the answer very dull indeed, for I had nothing to do with the speculation, nor do I know why my husband left the majority of his fortune to me.’

  His light eyes seemed to scan over her features. ‘You must admit it looks unfavourable.’

  ‘I have not touched a sovereign of the money from that speculation. We can make an appointment with my banker tomorrow if you wish to see proof.’

  He let his eyebrow raise a little. ‘Why not?’

  ‘Why not? Because it is not mine. Legally it
is, of course, but morally I am stuck in a dilemma. Any businessman would say that the investors were foolish to trust my husband and demand no paperwork and therefore do not deserve compensation. This is also what my solicitors told me at the time. My husband’s solicitors have spent many months looking for documents, anything really that would help us find out the particulars of the speculation, but it appears no one has any.’

  ‘I know. I asked them.’

  It was her turn to raise her brow in surprise. ‘Then why would you ask me?’

  He smiled then with a slightly sheepish look in his eye. ‘You can tell much from asking the same question to many.’

  ‘So you can,’ she replied. You can also form a picture of someone from how they answer those questions. I wonder what picture you have formed of me, Lord Anthony?

  The smile left his face. ‘I do not want to appear rude but Bellamy is my friend,’ he began.

  ‘He is mine also,’ she responded.

  ‘I do not like my friends used and ill-treated, Lady Blackhurst, so please tread carefully on his heart.’

  ‘Then we are in accord, Lord Anthony.’

  The dance ended and Ashton kissed her hand before escorting her back to Bellamy’s side.

  ‘Thank you, Lady Blackhurst, for a very…enlightening dance. Bellamy, I have returned her to you, all toes intact,’ Ashton said before taking his leave of them.

  She smiled for Bellamy’s benefit but wondered if she had just made a friend or an enemy of Lord Anthony Ashton.

  ***

  Oliver had stunned her earlier by putting his name against the waltz. Did this mean he was going to accept the wager?

  He had done his duty by Marianne and had even danced with the dowager. It felt strange without him by her side. She was so used to his eternal presence.

  ‘Lady Blackhurst, come sit by us,’ called Tony’s sister-in-law, Anna, Lady Epping. Lisbeth could hardly decline so she sat in a chair by the two women.

  ‘Gabrielle is finding this evening very tiring and is anxious but she will not leave Marianne’s big night,’ Anna explained.

  ‘Marianne is doing well, don’t you think?’ Gabrielle asked, patting her belly and looking towards the dance floor where Marianne was dancing with a young man. Lisbeth glanced away quickly from her babe-swollen abdomen and looked towards the dance floor.

  ‘She is doing exceptionally well,’ Lisbeth agreed. ‘She has been a great success. It will be a relief to her mother.’

  ‘Yes, although she would be more relieved to have Anthony and Warrington married off too,’ said Gabrielle.

  ‘Oh, I had not realised that Lord Warrington was not married.’ Her gaze went to the tall Duke standing beside his mother and looking completely bored.

  ‘Widowed,’ said Anna. ‘A long time ago now.’

  ‘Poor Harlow is starting to get worried that he may stay the heir and actually inherit,’ added Gabrielle.

  ‘He does not wish to inherit?’ Lisbeth asked.

  ‘Goodness, no. Harlow is an outdoorsman. He sees how many hours Warrington puts in, sees how it consumes him and wants to run for the hills.’

  Anna frowned a little. ‘Warrington does not seem inclined to marry again, even though his mother is very persistent in her persuasion.’

  Lisbeth sensed that Anna did not approve of the dowager’s methods of…persuasion.

  ‘I am sure when the right woman comes along he will fall. I hazard to say that it would take a great and consuming love to change him.’ Gabrielle caressed her belly and looked towards her husband who was in a group of men talking. He glanced over, as if sensing her gaze, concern etched on his face. Gabrielle shook her head when he went to leave the group and return to her.

  ‘I take it yours was a great and consuming love match?’ Lisbeth asked.

  ‘Yes, although it did not start off that way.’

  ‘She hated him,’ Anna put in.

  ‘I did not hate him. I merely disliked him with a passion,’ Gabrielle qualified.

  ‘Ah, here is Bellamy come to claim his dance,’ Anna announced with a smile for Lisbeth. ‘I see something special between you two as well. Oh, it’s no use trying to say otherwise. I’m very good at these sorts of things.’

  Lisbeth didn’t get to answer and really she was relieved. For, what to say? She wasn’t sure what she and Bellamy shared right now, only that she was enjoying it for what it was. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Not yet.

  ***

  Tony poured Oliver a finger of Scotch and handed it to him. The hum of the ball could still be heard through the thick oak doors of the front parlour.

  Oliver took the glass but did not drink from it. ‘Well?’

  He watched Tony empty his glass and refill it before turning towards him. ‘She’s not lying.’

  Relief swept through Oliver. He released muscles he didn’t even know had been tensed. ‘So I can stop with this nonsense for your client?’

  ‘She may not be lying about the paperwork, Oliver, but something still isn’t right about this whole thing.’

  ‘I know. I have been trying to puzzle it out myself. I just don’t understand why Henry would invest in such a scheme. He was far too careful, especially with money.’

  ‘You’re right. But it isn’t as though your brother was the only investor. Blackhurst had convinced several careful men to invest.’

  ‘Exactly, but then Dalmere told me Henry was in love with Lisbeth.’

  A fair brow rose nearly to Tony’s hair-line. ‘Indeed? Tell me more.’

  ‘He thinks Henry may have invested because of her. Or even at her prompting.’

  ‘Did he now? Do you believe him?’

  ‘I don’t know what to believe anymore. I feel like I didn’t even know my brother. Was he in love with her? Did she ask him to invest? I just can’t get my head to take the possibility on.’

  Tony slouched against a sofa. ‘Is that jealousy I hear in your tone, Bellamy?’

  ‘Just answer the question. Was he in love with her?’

  ‘Not that I was aware. He never said anything to me. He may have mentioned it to Warrington, though. My brother is not one to gossip, as you know. If this was a secret Henry had shared with Will, he would not have told me.’

  ‘Should I ask Warrington? Perhaps he can tell me why my brother was acting so strangely before he passed.’

  ‘Did Dalmere also tell you this? He seems to be a veritable fountain of scandal broth, doesn’t he? Did it occur to you that your brother may have simply been upset by the result of the speculation? That he had just lost the family finances and may have been consumed by guilt?’

  ‘Of course it has, but I have to know the truth. Good or bad.’

  ‘I will make some inquires but you must tell me everything.’

  Oliver glanced over at his friend. This was not his affair to share. ‘I can’t. I promised Lisbeth I would keep her plan a secret. I promised to help her.’

  Tony raised a brow. ‘Help her do what Bellamy?’

  Oliver contemplated his answer for a moment. He could trust Tony. He was perhaps the only person he trusted. He looked Tony in the eye and said, ‘Find out who killed Blackhurst.’

  Tony blinked but then smiled. ‘Ah, and have you decided on a culprit?’

  ‘No we haven’t, but the list is narrowing.’ Oliver took a sip of his drink. ‘Don’t look like you didn’t already know what we were about.’

  Tony gave a small laugh. ‘I didn’t want to interrupt. You seemed to be having so much fun.’

  ‘Oh, very funny. I had forgotten how amusing you think you are. Now there is no secret to keep, are you going to help us or not?’

  ‘I will need your list of suspects and I’ll find out what I can, but, Bellamy, I must warn you, it may be a futile search.’ Tony was now standing in front of him regarding him with a serious eye.

  ‘I know, but at least we can say we did all we could. My head says there is no way we can find out who did it after all this time, but my he
art says I have to try…for her.’

  A frown formed on Tony’s brow. ‘You’ve bloody-well gone and fallen in love with her, haven’t you?’

  Oliver shrugged and smiled, for what use was it to argue the point? Tony would know he was lying. Tony shook his head, handed him a small notepad he kept and passed him a pencil. Oliver started to write a list of all the information he and Lisbeth had gathered. He hoped Lisbeth would forgive him.

  Chapter 15

  ‘Ladies,’ Bellamy said as he approached. ‘Lady Blackhurst, I believe this is our dance.’ He offered her his hand and suddenly she felt nervous. It seemed ridiculous to be so considering how intimate they have been together but just the feel of his hand in hers made her heart beat erratically. The tingles started again and she realised with a resounding thud that she was completely, utterly and beyond redemption in love with him. But was it a great and consuming love? Part of her was jumping for joy while the other part was nervously worrying that these feelings were a very bad idea.

  He led her to the dance floor and took her in his arms. It felt right to be there. He looked down at her and frowned. ‘Smile, Lisbeth, it is only a dance.’

  ‘I know that.’ But she could not summon the smile he requested. Her body was reacting to his touch as it always did. They made the first turn before he spoke again.

  ‘I’ll kiss you,’ he said.

  ‘What?’ She looked up at him then. She was already blushing at her own thoughts.

  ‘I will kiss you, right here, in front of everyone if you don’t relax.’

  ‘Do not talk nonsense,’ she replied worried that he may make true on his threat.

  ‘You think I won’t? Care to make a wager?’ He laughed then at her expression. ‘No wager then.’ He took her into a turn, pulling her closer. He was a good dancer, sure-footed and confident. It was easy to dance with him, except for the emotions that were playing havoc with her head and the constant turning of the dance.

  ‘You make me mad with wanting you,’ he said softly in her ear. She closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. When she opened them and looked up at him she felt her face flush red. When he looked at her the way he was now, she knew what he was thinking and she wanted it too but…