Page 58 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

“You will be very happy with Lord Pemberton. He is a nice man, wealthy, not difficult to look at, and will provide you, and any children you have, with devotion and caring.”

“And a title,” she said bitterly.

Mother sighed. “You may not appreciate it now, but this is for the best.” She gave her an alarmingly bright smile. “Now go wash your face, and I will send in Bessie to fix your hair, so we can go to the dressmakers.”

…

Giles stared morosely into his drink, then pushed the glass aside. Drinking had done nothing for him but give him a headache upon awakening each morning. He still had no intention of giving up on Suzanna, but short of kidnapping her, he was fresh out of ideas on how to proceed.

He had tried catching her as she’d left the house for a walk, or on Bond Street, doing some shopping, but every time he’d seen her, her demon of a mother had been right alongside her. It appeared her parents had no intention of allowing her out of their sight until the marriage contracts were signed.

“Still drinking yourself into a coma every night?” Hawk ambled up to him, followed by Bedford and Cam. They all settled in the soft leather chairs forming a circle around the small table holding Giles’s glass.

“Maybe it’s time to forget her, Templeton. From all accounts, Lord Pemberton is expected to make an offer soon.”

“I will not forget her. And I will not do so until I have reason to believe this is something Suzanna wants.”

“So, what is your plan?” Cam asked after taking a sip of brandy. “If you’re not willing to accept that she will receive an offer, you must have a way to prevent it.”

“I may very well climb into her bedchamber one night and make off with her.”

“I hate to say this, and don’t challenge me with pistols at dawn, but how do you know Miss Blake hasn’t decided to accept an offer from Pemberton? My wife tells me she saw her at the dressmakers the other day being fitted for new gowns. Patience spoke with her and said she seemed subdued, but not wretchedly unhappy.” Bedford eyed him with sympathy.

“I refuse to believe that until I hear it from her own lips.” Despite his affirming words, Giles had a lump the size of a cannonball in his stomach. Had Suzanna reconciled herself to a marriage with Pemberton? Had she given up on them?

“Perhaps Her Grace can invite Suzanna to tea, and I can speak with her there?” Giles spirits picked up at the thought of finally being able to break through the barrier her parents had constructed around her.

“Do you believe her mother would not accompany her to a tea? Especially since she knows you and I are friends?” Bedford shook his head. “I will be more than happy to do that, but I think you are fooling yourself.”

“They are keeping her a prisoner. There must be some law against that,” he said bitterly.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but you are certainly aware that marriages are oftentimes arranged—and forced—by parents. It is the way of life for us.”

“Easy for you to say, Bedford, since you married your childhood sweetheart.”

“If you recall, my lovely wife had been betrothed to my brother, against her will. Arranged by my parents. Had my brother not died, she would be married to him right now.”

Giles stood, unable to sit and listen to common sense. “If you will excuse me, I have only a short period of time to rectify this situation.” Before anyone could comment, he turned on his heel and left the room.

…

The next afternoon, Giles rallied himself from his chair and decided to face the situation head on. He would go to Suzanna’s house and demand he be allowed to hear from her very own lips that she intended to accept an offer from Lord Pemberton of her own free will.

Why he thought Mr. Blake was going to allow him to speak to Suzanna was not clear, but he would not leave her house until he had evidence that she wanted to marry Lord Pemberton. He might have to stand outside her window and call up to her like Romeo and Juliet. Aside from being hauled off by the magistrate, he could think of no reason why he should not do that very thing.

Two hours later, freshly bathed and shaved, with several cups of coffee in him, he left his house and took the walk to Lord Montford’s townhouse. The brisk walk in the cool summer air tempered his resolve. He would see Suzanna, even if he had to request Lady Montford’s presence to do so. After all, the home belonged to Lord and Lady Montford, and he had received nothing but kindness from Lady Montford when he’d spent time in her company.

Yes, that was his plan. He would not ask to speak with Suzanna but present his card and request to see Lady Montford.

To his amazement, the man at the door took his card and immediately led him up the stairs to the drawing room. Was it to be so easy, then?

Several people sat on chairs around the room, partaking of tea, biscuits, sweetmeats, and tarts. A quick glance told him Suzanna was not present, but Mrs. Blake was, and met him with a glare.

Undaunted, he walked up to Lady Montford and bowed over her hand. “Good afternoon, my lady. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Good day to you, Mr. Templeton, won’t you join me?” She moved over on the settee, allowing him the perfect spot to converse with her without being overheard by Mrs. Blake.

He accepted the cup of tea from her and the plate with two biscuits on it. He waited a few minutes until Mrs. Blake was engaged in conversation with Lord Mallory on her left, causing her to present him with her back.