Justin grimaced. Not his cup of tea.
Watching the first hand being dealt, anger roiled beneath his calm. Anger at Kensington, at St. John, and surprisingly, at Miss Mossant herself.
Was she lying to him about Lord Blakely? Did she so adamantly oppose his suit that she’d make up a fake betrothal?
A manservant entered to have a word with Prescott. The duke nodded and folded his hand. “It seems little Harriette is in need of her mother. I’m afraid I’ll have to interrupt the ladies.”
Justin wished to contemplate his next move. His conscience already berated him for ignoring his inheritance. But he could not drop this business with Miss Mossant.
Damned if he knew why.
She was not his concern. He ought to abandon her protection to her fiancé. At that moment, Blakely punched his fist in the air and then gathered his winnings from the table.
The man certainly didn’t appear to have any worries.
Justin couldn’t bring himself to depart for Carlisle house just yet.
He excused himself and stepped out the door.
Emily Takes Action
As the house party guests exited the manor for an afternoon walk in the rain, Rhoda was beginning to wish she could run away fromherself. She’d argued with Cecily this afternoon, bullied dearest Emily, and last night, she’d snapped at Lord Carlisle, when all he’d ever done was show her kindness.
She wished the last year had never happened!
Lord Carlisle wanted tocourther!
Despite the wager!
Despite the scandal that would follow her until the end of her days.
He wanted to court her!
Even after she’d admitted that she’d willingly given her virtue to St. John!
The walk outdoors today ought to have been calming, but all sorts of tension hung over the party.
Cecily had been disapproving, Sophia hurt, and Emily disappeared with Blakely. A roaring filled Rhoda’s ears when she assumed they’d likely be discussing more of the details for the elopement.
Forherelopement.
And Lord Carlisle had kept his distance, choosing instead to escort both Coleus and Hollyhock. She didn’t blame him but…
She walked behind, on Lieutenant Langdon’s arm, forced to make meaningless conversation. Well, it wasn’t meaningless to him. He spoke of a few exploits at war, and admittedly, Rhoda encouraged him.
All the while, she watched the tall man walking between her two obnoxious but lovable sisters. He’d bend his head toward one of them, making her giggle, and then dipped his head toward the other.
Their mother strolled on Mr. Findlay’s arm a short distance ahead, and the other two couples made up the rear.
Rhoda felt horrible. She’d upset both Cecily and Sophia, and she had done nothing but pressure poor Emily since they’d arrived. At least Emily had located a spare pair of spectacles today. It hadn’t been fair of Rhoda to insist she go without.
She’d treated her dear friends atrociously. What on earth was the matter with her?
Even now, she illogically resented her sisters for basking in Lord Carlisle’s attention.
She released a sigh.
He wants to court me.
