Page 55 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

Mother waved her hand. “Never mind, miss. If I left it up to you, my son-in-law would probably be a tradesman. Remember your goal, Suzanna. You want the highest title you can possibly secure.”

Suzanna felt the blood rush to her head. “No, Mother. You have it all wrong. I am not the one with the goal of the highest title. That is your desire,” she snapped.

She flinched when Mother grabbed the soft skin under her arm with two fingers and twisted, something she hadn’t done since Suzanna had been a child. “Do not speak to me so. And if you think for one minute that man who called on your father today will be allowed anywhere near you when I am about, you are sadly mistaken. It is my duty as your mother to protect you from yourself.”

Tears gathered in her eyes at the pain of Mother’s pinch as well as the hopelessness of her situation. “You are hurting me.”

Her mother released her arm, and Suzanna scurried off, rubbing her skin. If only she could head to the front door and ask for her carriage to be brought around. To what end, however? She would only be dragged out again the next night, and every night thereafter, until Mother had her way.

She spent her time in the retiring room bathing her face with a cool cloth and resting her feet. One of the maids brought her a lemonade, and after about ten minutes, she felt better. Also, it was nearing time for Lord Campbell’s dance.

The musicians were just beginning the waltz when Suzanna reached the bottom of the stairs. Lord Campbell walked up to her, with a glint in his eyes, and extended his arm. He was truly a handsome man, well-built, and with enough charm to keep several women giggling. But he was not Giles.

“Cheer up, my dear. I guarantee you will enjoy this dance.”

“Of course.” Good manners must always be displayed.

With a smirk, he drew her into his arms, and waltzed them away from where her mother stood smiling brightly at the two of them. As Suzanna watched, Lord Hawkins walked up to Mother and engaged her in conversation.

Campbell whirled her around, until she was dizzy, and with a few well-maneuvered steps, he swung her into Giles’ arms. “What?”

He grinned down at her. “A little bit of trickery on our part.”

Suzanna shook her head. “That is why Lord Hawkins has engaged her in conversation.”

“Yes. One can always count on friends.” He danced them over to the side of the room that practically made them invisible to the guests standing on the side where her mother continued to speak with Hawkins. Mother would have to have excellent vision to see past all the twirling dancers to her and Giles.

Suzanna grinned at the devilish look in his eyes. How she missed him. His smile, his humor, his kisses. Oh, my. Definitely his kisses.

“I spoke with your father today.”

“I know. He hasn’t said anything to me about it, but Mother made sure I knew that he had turned down your request to court me.” She glanced sideways, happy to see Lord Hawkins still speaking with her mother.

“Look at me, Suzanna.”

She turned her head and gazed into Giles’s eyes. She was lost. Although annoying, his arrogance no longer frightened her, because she believed with all her heart he would never treat her like her mother did. She loved him, and her parents would never allow her to marry him. If she could not have him, she wanted no one, and intended to tell her father that very thing once they returned from the ball this evening.

“I am not giving up,” Giles said. “You are mine, and no one else shall claim you. I have no idea how this will be resolved, but know this: I will take whatever steps I need to in order to make you my wife.”

He ducked his head so he could see her face. “I shall not lose my wager, sweeting. I always bet to win. And this is, by far, the most important wager of my life.”

She thrilled at his words, but a small lump formed in her middle at the same time. He had no idea how determined her mother was.

Unfortunately, Suzanna knew.

…

Giles could not believe how wonderful it felt to hold Suzanna. He’d held his breath waiting for Cam to claim her and waltz her over to him. Had she snubbed him, he would have known her parents had won. But her eyes had lit up when she found herself in his arms.

The light floral scent that always surrounded her, the softness of her body as his large hand covered her lower back, and the way she looked at him, assured him nothing had changed between them. That was the important matter. Despite this setback with her father, no other man would take what was his.

“I’m afraid you have no idea how stubborn my mother can be. I might have a good chance of convincing my father to allow your address, but he will never do anything against Mother’s wishes.”

“You mu

st understand this is my problem to solve. You are not to worry about it. I have connections and resources I can call upon to help. As long as I know you want this as much as I do, nothing will deter me from marrying you.”

“I hate that you think me so lily-livered that you must ‘rescue’ me. I have never stood up to my mother, but perhaps ’tis time I did.” She gave him a saucy look. “Except you would then win the wager, wouldn’t you? Perhaps I should reconsider.”