Page 44 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “The orphanage?”

“Is that your selection?”

“Indeed, it is. I send money whenever I can. The children are in need of so many things. A thousand pounds would give them warm clothing, new shoes, and a better diet. I have oftentimes wanted to work there when I am in London, but Mother will not permit it.”

Based on her enthusiasm for the little tykes, he’d donate the thousand pounds once he’d won the wager anyway. But no need to tell her that now.

“Then a wager it is. If you consent to marry me, I win. If I fail to win your heart, and your hand, I will donate to the orphanage.”

“There must be a time limit on this. How about by the end of the Season?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Since it is halfway through the Season already, that does put me at a disadvantage.”

She smirked. “Are you backing out?”

“Not at all.” He wrapped his arm around her. “It grows chilly. Let us return to the house.”

It was not just the passion between them that drove his hunger to have her in his bed and his life. After spending the week with Suzanna at the house party, he’d witnessed various sides of her that only convinced him his initial response when he’d first laid eyes on her was accurate. She was the woman for him.

It was a slow walk back to the house, and instead of being ready for sleep, he was energized. He poured a large tumbler of brandy and took it upstairs to his bedchamber. After shrugging out of his breeches and pulling his shirt over his head, he climbed into bed and sipped the liquor, imagining all the different ways he could pleasure Suzanna in the future.

The glass had been emptied for a full hour before he drifted into a fitful sleep, full of images of Suzanna as her nightgown had dropped to the ground and she stood before him—albeit very briefly—completely nude, like a siren in the moonlight, beckoning him to crash his heart on treacherous rocks.

Imagining Suzanna would feel awkward seeing him in the morning, Giles elected to leave Hawkins Manor at sunrise. He left a brief note for Hawk and climbed into his carriage to sit alongside Macon. With rain on the horizon, he decided to stay in the carriage instead of riding his horse.

To appease his valet, he promised they would stop to break their fast within the hour. Macon had never been a happy early riser, despite his duties sometimes demanding it, but he was otherwise a cheerful fellow, and in some ways more friend than servant.

“I have made an appointment for you with your tailor tomorrow, sir. It is past time to replace a few items in your wardrobe.”

Giles settled in and rested his booted foot on his knee. “Why do I think my mother sent you a note mentioning my last visit made her wonder if I had the funds to properly clothe myself?”

Macon sniffed. “Lady Wexford is a devoted mother who wants only what is best for her offspring.”

“In other words, yes.”

“Yes.”

Giles sighed. “I believe you—and my mother—are correct. Thank you for that. What time is the appointment?”

“Ten o’clock.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a slip of paper. “I have written down a few items that need replacing and updating.”

Giles took the paper from his hand, examining the list, figuring how much time the visit would require. He wanted to call on Suzanna, spend some time with her and her cousin. Perhaps if he could engage Lady Montford in conversation, he might find an ally. She seemed pleasant enough when he’d met her before. He needed all the help he could get because Suzanna was too stubborn to admit, probably even to herself that, since they’d been intimate there was little choice but for them to marry.

…

Suzanna looked up from her needlepoint as Jamie, the Montford butler, opened the drawing room door. “Mr. Giles Templeton.” He stepped aside, and Giles entered the room.

Suzanna’s face heated, and she was certain the flush on her cheeks lit up the room. She closed her eyes, hoping once she opened them, Giles would disappear. She took a deep breath and looked up, expecting to see a smirk, or humor at her discomfort.

Instead, he bowed over Lady Montford’s hand. “My lady, it is a pleasure to see you, as always.” He then turned to Suzanna, with a completely bland look on his face, as though they were mere acquaintances. “Miss Blake, you are looking well.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she immediately relaxed. Another point in his favor. He must have known how very distressed she would be at facing him for the first time since their encounter in the garden at Hawkins Manor.

Other gentlemen would have enjoyed reminding her of her disgrace with a certain look or demeanor. She blinked rapidly, to rid herself of the tears of relief that flooded her eyes. At that moment she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him, but that would startle Cousin Eunice and undoubtedly lead to questions.

“May I send for tea, cousin?” Now that the knots in her stomach had unraveled, she remembered her manners.

“Of course.” Lady Montford placed her needlepoint on a small table and gave Giles her attention. “I’m afraid I didn’t see much of you at the house party, Mr. Templeton. Did you enjoy it?”