Page 65 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

Stunned by what Bedford had told her, Suzanna nodded and allowed Patience to direct her through the throng of guests and to the stairs leading to the retiring room.

Once they were in the room, Patience led her to a lounge where they both sat. She asked the maid for a glass of water, then turned her attention to Suzanna. “Is something amiss? You seem quite disturbed.”

Suzanna blinked furiously and then gave way to her tears and covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know what is wrong, but something definitely is.”

Patience took a handkerchief from the maid’s hand and handed it to Suzanna. “Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”

Taking a deep breath, Suzanna recounted the story of the wager with Giles, the ensuing problem with her parents, and his disappearance just as she’d told Lord Pemberton she did not want to marry him, and he had agreed to withdraw his suit.

“That is rather odd,” Patience said. “I know Mr. Templeton only through Alex, and he was helpful when I had that problem with Alex and Lord Loverly. He did seem to be an honorable person who did not give up easily.”

“There is one thing that frightens me.” Suzanna twisted the handkerchief in her hands.

“What is that?”

“We, um.” She cleared her throat. “We, um… Oh dear, how can I say this.” She looked to the ceiling as she felt the heat rise to her face. “I knew I shouldn’t have, but we did, and now I wonder if he didn’t think poorly of me.”

“Oh, Suzanna, I doubt very much if he thinks poorly of you. I am sure there is a perfectly logical explanation for his trip to the country. Why don’t you wash your face, and we’ll return to the ballroom? Perhaps Alex knows more than he thinks he does. Men oftentimes ignore signs that we see as important. Come.”

They returned to the ballroom to join Alex and Lord Campbell. That was the first time she’d seen him in a while, also. If Lord Hawkins and Giles appeared, then everything would return to normal, and her world would once again be in balance.

“Good evening, Miss Blake. How pleasant to see you.”

Suzanna gave Lord Campbell a slight dip. “Good evening, my lord.”

“Bedford tells me you were inquiring after Templeton. I also received a missive from him. He said he had tired of the Season and was planning on spending the next few months at his estate.” He looked at her with sympathy. “I am sorry, he said nothing else.”

Well, that was that, then. Giles had managed to send notes to both Bedford and Campbell, but nothing to her. He was obviously more than happy to leave her with the broken promises he’d made. So much for his insistence that he would never give up on their love.

She raised her chin and regarded Lord Campbell. “Thank you for that information, my lord. I believe Mr. Fitzwilliam has requested this next dance. If you will excuse me.” She turned and headed toward Cousin Eunice, where Mr. Fitzwilliam had just arrived.

She would forget Giles. He obviously had no regard for her, and all his nonsense about loving her and never letting her go had been just that.

Nonsense.

…

“Has the bloody newspaper arrived yet?” Giles shouted from the library as he poured his third brandy for the day. He’d spent the three weeks he’d been at his estate in Bedfordshire drinking brandy, scouring the newspaper delivered each day for news of Suzanna’s betrothal, and for the most part, terrorizing his staff.

To say he’d been in a bad mood since his arrival was a huge understatement. The only person willing to approach him had been Macon, who viewed him with disdain every time he’d been in his presence.

“Here it is, sir. Would you like me to open it directly to the Society page?”

Giles snapped it from his hand. “No need. And instead of standing there smirking, I’m sure there are some cravats that need pressing and some boots that need shining.”

“And why would I need to do that, sir? You have not left the house since our arrival three weeks ago.”

Giles growled something in the man’s direction and tucked the newspaper under his arm. He picked up his glass of brandy and settled in the chair in front of the fireplace. He flipped through the newspaper until he reached the Society pages. His stomach muscles always tightened as he began to read, and then slowly relaxed as no word of a betrothal between Miss Suzanna Blake and Lord Pemberton was announced.

What the devil was going on?

He crumbled the newspaper and tossed it aside. From what he’d seen in the garden at the Montfords’s townhouse, there should have been an announcement by now. Mrs. Blake had been very anxious to have Suzanna snag a titled gentleman. He doubted if she would have allowed too much time to pass before she’d have Mr. Blake bring the man up to scratch.

He ran his hand down his face, trying to come to terms with what he’d seen, and his abrupt departure from London. Had he been rash? Should he have confronted the couple and demanded to know what was what? But it had been so obvious. Suzanna had gotten herself betrothed without upsetting her mother.

Glancing at the half-full glass of brandy, he pushed it aside. What he needed was some fresh air to clear his head. “Macon!”

“Yes, sir.” Giles jumped when Macon spoke from behind his chair.