Page 59 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

“Where is Miss Blake?” Giles said barely above a whisper.

Lady Montford offered him a soft smile. “I think it would be best if you had an opportunity to speak with her.” She glanced at Suzanna’s mother and continued in a soft voice. “She has gone down to the garden with Lord Pemberton.”

“Thank you.” Relief spread through him, and it took all his control to sit for a few more minutes before excusing himself and taking his leave.

He hurried downstairs, out the door, and around the corner to the garden. Within seconds he spotted Suzanna and Lord Pemberton. They sat on a stone bench, speaking earnestly, hands clasped, their heads close together. Before he had a chance to approach them, Suzanna exclaimed, “You have made me the happiest woman in London, my lord.” Then she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hug.

…

Two hours earlier

A tap on her bedchamber door drew Suzanna’s attention. She placed a ribbon on the page to mark her place in her book, and said, “Come in.”

Mother entered the room. “Lord Pemberton will be calling this afternoon. Refresh yourself and be prepared to meet him.”

“That would be lovely, since I have not spoken more than a few words to the man you and Father hope will offer for me.”

“Sarcasm does not become you, young lady.” She walked farther into the room and ran her eyes over Suzanna. “You spend too much time in your bedchamber, reading. You are growing quite pale. It would be a good idea to ask Lord Pemberton to escort you for a walk in the garden when he arrives.”

Suzanna felt the heat rise to her face at her mother’s disregard for her wishes. The time had arrived to take a stand. “Mother, I can’t impress upon you enough that I do not want to marry Lord Pemberton.”

“Your father is awaiting an offer from his lordship any day now. Soon, it will be done. Stop acting like a spoiled child and accept your duty and place in Society.” Mother opened the door to Suzanna’s wardrobe and pulled out an afternoon dress. “This one is lovely. It matches your eyes, and you will look quite fetching in it.”

“Mother, stop this,” Suzanna snapped. “Whatever is that supposed to mean? Accept my place in Society? I have a place in S

ociety and see no reason why I should try to elevate it by marrying a man I not only do not know but have no regard for.” She held her hands out in a pleading gesture. “I love Mr. Templeton.”

Mother’s head jerked up. “Do. Not. Say. That.”

“It is true. No matter how many times you insist that marriage to Lord Pemberton would be wonderful for me, I do not believe it. I do not love him, do not even care for him.”

“Have you been in touch with that man?”

“Who?”

“Your Mr. Templeton,” she snarled. “Has he been sending you letters that I have missed? I told you to forget him.”

Well, that confirmed what Suzanna had suspected. Mother had been intercepting her letters. “Mother, this is not the medieval ages. Parents no longer make matches for their children and force them into it.” She raised her chin. “I could very well say ‘no’ during the marriage ceremony.”

In a flash, Mother was across the room, the lovely gown in her hand tossed into a heap on the floor. She slapped her face, then grabbed Suzanna by the shoulders. “Don’t you dare even think such a thing. If you embarrass me and your father in such a way, we will never speak with you again. You will be dead to us.”

Thinking that might not be such a bad thing, Suzanna tugged away from her mother and sat on the bed, holding her burning cheek where Mother had slapped her. “Leave me, please, if you expect me to be ready for inspection at afternoon tea.”

“I don’t know what has gotten into you, Suzanna. You used to be such a biddable young lady. Having you come to London without me for the beginning of the Season was a mistake.” She brushed off her skirts and headed to the door. “I expect to see you downstairs as soon as Lord Pemberton arrives. I will send Bessie up to attend you.”

Suzanna entered the drawing room sometime later, after receiving a summons from Mother, through Bessie, to present herself.

Lord Pemberton stood as she entered the room and gave her a tentative smile. His mother raised a quizzing glass to her eye as she studied her. Lady Montford cast her an encouraging look and patted the seat next to her.

“Good afternoon, my lord, Lady Pemberton.” Suzanna granted Lady Pemberton a curtsy and took the seat Eunice had indicated.

Just as she settled down, a footman entered with a tea tray. “Suzanna, will you pour, please?”

Suzanna was stunned at Mother’s audacity, to usurp Eunice’s place. It was, after all, her home. But to keep the peace, she reached over and poured. “Lady Pemberton, how do you like your tea?”

Once again the woman raised her glass to her eye. Suzanna held in her sigh. Was the woman so far into her dotage that she forgot to whom she was speaking? “Two sugars and a bit of cream.”

Suzanna fixed her tea, Mother’s and Eunice’s. She turned to Lord Pemberton. “My lord? How do you like your tea?”