“May I ask you a hypothetical question?” Delia broke the long silence that had fallen between them.
“Those are the very best kinds,” Bethany responded, happy that Delia hadn’t commented on her dismal attempt at flirtation. “Because there is no wrong answer.”
“Let’s say you know a young lady… hypothetically, of course.”
Bethany lifted her gaze to Delia’s. “Of course.”
“Imagine that this young lady has become rather desperate to marry a wealthy gentleman, due to an unfortunate turn of her family’s financial circumstances.”
“I know we’re being hypothetical and all, but, Delia, you are describing half the ladies in theton.”
“Oh, but this particular young lady isexceedinglydesperate.” She lowered her voice. “Her dowry has been squandered away but no one must know!”
Again, nearly half the ladies on the marriage mart. Bethany raised her brows. “Hypothetically.”
“Well, yes,” Delia agreed. “And in her desperation, this young lady has decided—hypothetically, of course—to trap a certain gentleman.” Delia’s brown eyes clouded in concern. She was obviously very troubled for whoever thishypotheticalyoung woman might be.
“She is not you,” Bethany stated.
“Oh, no!”
Bethany tapped the fan against her lips. Trapping bachelors into marriage, unfortunately, was not uncommon. And while it was frowned upon by most, a few applauded those who succeeded.
Silently, of course, all the while publicly tsking and bemoaning that a young woman would lower herself to such a drastic course of action.
“I suppose,” Bethany considered the dilemma carefully, “it depends on the details. Is she trapping him because he’s taken advantage of her already? That would make it somewhat justifiable, although why she would wish to be tied to such a blackguard is beyond me.” As the younger sister to a, until recently, highly sought-after andmarriageableearl, Bethany had long ago formed a strong opinion on this unseemly practice. “I can’t abide by the notion otherwise.”
Delia moaned. “What if he is a rake but also a charming and kindhearted one?”
The description fit Chase rather aptly. “I would not wish to have marriage thrust upon me, just as I’ve no doubt you wouldn’t want it thrust upon you. Don’t we all deserve the opportunity to make such a life-altering choice independent of societal expectations?” Bethany knew this was a romantic ideal but she believed in it just the same.
“I agree with you. It’s partly why I’m vexed with her.”
“We are not speaking hypothetically, are we?”
“No. But… She refuses to listen to me.”
Bethany inhaled. The hypothetical young lady undoubtedly was Delia’s older sister, Miss Rachel Sommerville. Rachel had exhibited such manipulative and conniving tendencies on multiple occasions since she and Bethany had become acquainted.
Bethany had not been aware, however, of the loss of her dowry. Rachel might as well have lost her reputation than something so critical to reeling in a husband. Bethany almost felt sorry for her.
But not if she was preying on Chase!
“How is she planning to accomplish this?” Bethany asked. “And who is her victim?”
Another moan. “I told her it was a despicable thing to do to any man. It doesn’t matter that he’s wealthy and titled and so very good looking. Father’s debts are no excuse for her to trap him.”
Bethany felt like something large was pressing down on her chest. Chase was very wealthy, and titled, and so, oh so very good looking and kindhearted. “Who, Delia? Who is she planning to trap?”
“Why, Lord Chaswick, of course.”
Chapter 2
A Vice
“If you hate these affairs so much, why do you bother?” Stone asked, reviving the resentment Chase had managed to numb with drink.
Chase threw his ante into the pot and stared at his cards. He must truly be dead inside, because the sight of three queens and two aces did nothing to excite him.
