Page 52 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

Giles shook his head, hoping he was speaking of the brandy, and not his claim to love Suzanna.

Once Mr. Blake was settled in his chair, he took a sip of the brandy and viewed him over the rim of the glass. Giles refused to be intimidated if that was the man’s objective. He had every intention of obtaining permission to court Suzanna.

“Young man, it has always been Mrs. Blake’s plan for my daughter to marry a man with a title. I have no reason to believe Suzanna disagrees with her mother. While you seem like a nice sort of fellow, I suggest you turn your attentions elsewhere.”

If he’d meant to dismiss him, he did not know the man to whom he spoke. Giles gathered his thoughts, and then striking a casual pose, looked Mr. Blake in the eyes. “With all due respect, Mr. Blake, I must disagree with you. I have spent some—well-chaperoned—time with Miss Blake, and we seem to get on quite well.”

Before Suzanna’s father was able to offer a retort, Giles continued, “I have every reason to believe Miss Blake would be quite receptive to my request to court her.”

Mr. Blake sighed and placed his now-empty glass on a small table in from of him. “Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. Mrs. Blake will not allow our daughter to marry anyone who does not possess a title. I have found over the years if I wish a peaceful household, agreeing with my wife is generally in my best interest. With that in mind, I cannot approve your request to court Suzanna.”

Fighting to control himself faced with such absurdity, Giles reined in his temper, knowing it would not serve his purpose to grab the man by the throat and throttle him. “Does your daughter not have a say in her future, then?”

“Come now, young man. You are fully aware of how marriages are determined among the Quality. Very few ladies, or gentlemen, have a choice. But, nevertheless, things always work out in the end.” He stood, announcing their interview was over.

Giles followed Mr. Blake from the library to the entrance hall, where the

older man gave him a slap on the back. “Find yourself a nice young lady who isn’t aiming quite as high as Mrs. Blake.” Giles did not imagine the brief flash of sadness on the man’s face.

He took his hat from the butler and left the house. As he made his way down the stairs, he turned and looked up at the window. Almost as if he knew she would be there, Suzanna looked down at him, her hand pressed against the glass.

Don’t worry, my love. I am not giving up.

…

Suzanna watched Giles as he strode away from the house. There was no doubt in her mind that he had called on her father to request permission to pay her his attentions. The only question remaining was if Father would tell her mother about the visit. She held no hope that he had said yes.

She sighed and turned from the window. Tonight was another ball. Mother had already been in to see her, to make sure her gown for the evening was suitable to “catch a lord.” At this point, all Suzanna wanted to do was stay in her room or return to the country.

There remained no reason for her to continue with the blasted Season. Obviously, Father had not given Giles permission to court her, and even the most stalwart of men would not pursue a woman whose parents were so adamant about her future. Mother would spend the rest of their time in London shoving her from one titled gentleman to the next, until she finally received an offer.

A light tap at the door drew her attention from her musings. She padded across the room and opened the door to Cousin Eunice.

“May I come in? I thought you might want some company.” Eunice offered her a soft smile as she placed her arm around her shoulders. “Come, let us talk for a bit.”

“You know?” Suzanna said as they sat on the settee in front of the window.

Eunice took her hands in hers. “Yes. I’ve known for some time that you are enamored with Mr. Templeton, as he is with you. I also know your mother is quite determined to see you as a titled lady.”

Tears sprang to Suzanna’s eyes unbidden. “Oh, dear, I’m afraid I’m about to make a cake of myself.”

Eunice handed her a handkerchief. “I just saw Mr. Templeton leave after speaking with your father. He didn’t look pleased.”

“I am not surprised. I told Giles—um, Mr. Templeton—that Father would not grant him permission to court me. But he refused to listen.”

“A man rarely hears anything that goes against his determination to have the woman he loves. And, from what I’ve seen, Mr. Templeton is very much in love with you, Suzanna.”

Suzanna pulled her hand away from Eunice’s and began to pace. “I don’t know what to do. In the short time she’s been here, Mother has thrown me into the path of several men who appeal to her but leave me cold.”

“I wish I could offer a solution, but aside from running off to Gretna Green, I’m afraid your Mother will have her way.”

Suzanna sat again. “It is unfair. There is so much more to a man than his title. Too many lords I know are drinkers, gamblers, and libertines. A great deal of marriages are merely two people living in the same house—in some cases, not even that—while they each carry on with lovers.”

Eunice smiled. “As a young gentlewoman, you are not supposed to know about such things.”

“I am not blind. Nor stupid.” Suzanna hopped up again and strode to the window, pushing the drape aside to look down at the street. Sometimes she wished she was simply a merchant’s daughter, or a seamstress, or governess. Then she would have more say in her marriage, and not have to marry to raise her parents’ status.

Soon it would be time to dress for dinner and then attend the Robinsons’ ball. Would Giles be there? He knew she would be attending. Or had he given up after speaking with her father?