Cecily turned a sympathetic gaze toward Rhoda. “You are aware of the wager by now, aren’t you?”
Emily glanced up with a grimace, and Sophia took her seat gingerly.
Rhoda’s stomach lurched. Even the mention of it… “I am.”
“Mr. Nottingham and I stayed over in London a few days before coming here. I was lucky enough to get an earful from Mrs. Worthington at the Winters’ Gala Saturday night.
“Of course, she had nothing flattering to say.” Rhoda sipped her tea and took a deep breath as she contemplated the mean-spirited gossip spreading amongst thetonin London right now.
About her.
Rhoda caught a meaningful glance exchanged between Sophia and Cecily. “Don’t hide the details from me.” As much as all of this hurt, she’d rather know the truth than remain in the dark.
“Since you’ve left town, so many gentlemen have entered the bet that the stakes have risen considerably.” Cecily picked up an embroidery circle and stabbed the needle into the cloth quite viciously. “The would-be winner, if, and of course, I say ‘if’ because I know there never will be one, butifthere were to be one, he stands to win over fifty thousand pounds.” She completed her stitch and then added, “And the amount continues to rise.”
Rhoda’s jaw dropped.
“If I could bet, I’d put all my money on Rhoda,” Emily said.
“Well, of course,” Sophia agreed. “But what does Flavion have to do with any of this?”
“Rumor is that the bastard has healed.”
“Healed?” Did she mean…?
“Yes, he’s regained the ability to—”
“Hismentulaworks again?” Emily sat up straight and frowned. “Of all the rotten luck.”
Mentula? What in the world? But then understanding struck and Rhoda raised her brows. Oh…
“My sentiments exactly. But that’s not the worst of it.” Cecily sounded apologetic. “He’s bragging to everyone that he came close to winning the wager at the Crabtrees’ ball. Of course, he is lying.”
“Of course,” Rhoda echoed through suddenly dry lips.
Cecily studied her a moment. “Since Stephen’s put a steward in charge of the Kensington funds, Flavion’s spending has been limited. He’s determined to lay claim to the winnings.”
“And we all know the lengths he’ll go to for money,” Emily interjected.
Yes, yes, they all did.
“How could he substantiate something like that, to prove he’d won? Wouldn’t he need some sort of incontrovertible evidence? What would prevent any one of them laying claim to the winnings with a lie?” Emily asked, ever the logical one.
But Rhoda knew. “He must provide a witness.” She shivered at the memory of that evening.
“Yes,” Cecily confirmed.
Rhoda had been such a fool that night, thinking she looked prettier for some reason. Or had been more charming than usual. She’d imagined herself somebody special. Why else would so many gentlemen reserve a set with her?
Of course, someone must have been in the garden watching that night. If Lord Carlisle hadn’t come along when he did… Yes, she’d managed to disarm Flavion, but what if hiswitnesshad made himself known? She’d never have been capable of fighting off two of them.
“I’m so glad we got you out of London.” Sophia looked terrified for her.
“I thought this house party was for Emily.” Rhoda glanced around the room. She hated that her friends must all pity her right now. At the same time, she didn’t know what she’d do without them. “But, of course…”
“She’ll be completely safe, soon enough.” Emily met Rhoda’s gaze, and Rhoda nodded. “Blakely’s going to marry her. The two of them have plans to run away to Gretna Green. She’ll be protected then. And since Blakely’s blacklisted, they’ll not have much reason to evenbein London.
“What?” The word exploded in unison from both Cecily and Sophia’s mouths.
