Page 16 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

It was all so depressing.

Then there was Mr. Giles Templeton. She had yet to meet anyone who affected her the way he did. She’d danced with numerous men, conversed and had supper with several, and always she was left with a feeling of emptiness. None of them stirred her, made her heart pound, or tempted her in any way.

Only Mr. Templeton had been able to do that. Curse the man. She sighed and closed her eyes, wishing for a few more hours of sleep to help pass the time in the carriage.

Her eyes slowly opened as the vehicle came to a rolling stop in front of a posting inn. “This one looks presentable,” Lord Montford said, pushing the window curtain aside and glancing at the Bear and Beaver Inn. “I think we can find an acceptable meal here.”

An ostler ran out to take charge of the horses as Suzanna and Lady Montford gathered their bonnets, gloves, and reticules. Lord Montford assisted his wife down the few steps and then turned to help Suzanna, when she groaned at the sound of a very familiar voice. “I will be happy to assist Miss Blake, my lord.”

One foot on the top step, Suzanna stopped, and her eyes narrowed as Mr. Templeton strode up to the carriage, his eyes twinkling with mirth, his hand held out to assist her. “Good afternoon, Miss Blake. Imagine running into you here.”

Her lips tightened. “Yes. Imagine.”

Chapter Five

Giles led Suzanna on his arm to the inn. Lord Montford had already secured the private dining room where he and Lady Montford awaited them.

It had been his luck that he’d spotted their carriage coming to a stop just as he was passing the Bear and Beaver Inn. He hadn’t planned on stopping at that point, but nothing would dissuade him from the opportunity to spend time with Suzanna.

“What a pleasure to meet you on our way to Hawkins Manor, Mr. Templeton.” At least Lady Montford was happy to see him.

“An

d a pleasure to spend time with all of you, as well.” He grinned in Suzanna’s direction, enjoying the pique his appearance had caused her. Giles held out her chair and then took the seat across from her.

“How has your journey been so far, Miss Blake?”

“Enjoyable.” She smiled brightly. “Until now.”

“Suzanna!” her cousin chastised. Instead of appearing remorseful, Suzanna smirked at his scowl. One point for her team.

“Looks like some fine horseflesh you’re riding there, Templeton,” Lord Montford said, nodding thanks at the serving girl who placed a teapot, cream, sugar, and four cups on the table.

“Yes, sir. I purchased Gallant from Tattersalls two years ago. He was a bit difficult to control at the start, but now he has grown to understand that I command him and make the decisions.”

“How terribly cavalier of you, Mr. Templeton. Do you assume you can always control everyone in your world?” Suzanna’s eyes bored into him, her silent message clear.

“Of course. When I set my mind to something, I always win.”

“Always?”

“Always.”

“Most fortunate for you, Mr. Templeton. But you cannot always win.”

“I haven’t lost anything yet that meant something to me.”

“Perhaps it is time you did.” She hesitated, her finger on her lips as if in thought. “Maybe sometime soon, in fact.”

Lady Montford glanced back and forth between them, her eyebrows furrowed. She opened her mouth to speak just as the innkeeper’s wife and daughter appeared with trays of food. Time was taken up with passing the bowl of thick, rich stew, with fragrant bread and fresh butter, until everyone’s plates were full.

“Mr. Templeton, I understand you invested quite heavily in Lord Nichols’s recent venture.” Lord Montford broke a piece of warm, fragrant bread and dipped it into his stew.

“Yes, I did.” Giles regarded the man over his teacup. “It seemed a bit risky at first, but when I delved more into the scheme, the promised return was quite tempting.”

“And it worked out well for you?”

“Yes. I brought several of my friends into it, and they were quite pleased.” Giles smiled to himself, thinking of how happy Hawk and Cam had been at almost doubling their investment. They’d all shared a fine bottle of smuggled French brandy that night.