Page 67 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

He stopped and stared at the valet. “I am not sure what I saw is what I saw.”

Macon blinked a few times. “Very plain, sir. I’m sure given an hour or two I will sort it all out.”

Giles resumed pacing. “I wagered Miss Blake that she would marry me. She refused. Not the wager. The marriage. I thought I had won her over, but her parents refused. Then I saw her hug Lord Pemberton in the garden.” He turned to Macon. “Do you understand now?”

“It is as clear as my aged Aunt Florence’s vision.”

“Don’t you see? Maybe there was another reason she hugged him.”

“Sir, may I interest you in a nice cup of tea, or perhaps a bit of brandy?” Macon shook his head. “No. No brandy, you are mud

dled enough.”

“I gave up.”

“Ah now, sir, that is clear. You never give up, so something is dreadfully wrong here.”

Giles dropped into the chair behind his desk. “I am not used to losing.”

Macon sat in the chair across from the desk. “You are not used to earning, either.”

“What?”

“Although you suppose this is the first time I am aware of your problem, it is not. A valet knows a lot more than his master thinks.”

Giles huffed. “I know that.”

“Well, sir. You have pursued this young lady, and she has not fallen at your feet. That is a most unusual circumstance for you, if I may say so.”

Straightening in his seat, Giles said, “What the devil are you talking about, man?”

“I have watched you since you were a lad. Most things, if not all, come quite easily to you. One would say you are fortuitous. It can be quite difficult when someone of your talent is presented with a situation that requires more effort.”

Giles frowned. “Are you insinuating I am lazy?”

“Not at all. What I’m saying is, instead of ‘winning’ the young lady’s hand, perhaps you should be concentrating on ‘earning’ her hand. If what you say is true, and no betrothal has been announced, you have a great opportunity to prove you are not merely a spoiled, golden child.”

Giles stared at him for a full minute. “When did you get so smart?”

“I have always been.” The valet dipped his head and studied Giles. “Earn it, lad.”

Giles jumped up, his chair spinning backward at the movement. “Pack my trunks.”

Macon attempted to hide a smile. “Are we taking a trip, sir?”

“Yes. I will leave within the hour on Gallant. You will travel with my luggage in the carriage.”

“Very good, sir. In which direction are we headed this time?”

“Back to London.” He dashed from the room and called over his shoulder, “I have unfinished business.”

…

Suzanna waited in her bedchamber for the summons that Lord Mallory had arrived to take her on a ride through Hyde Park. Her fingers worried the braiding on the front of her gown until she had to order herself to stop, lest she shred her clothing.

At Mother’s insistence, Suzanna had begun to return to the social whirl of the Season. After her conversation with Bedford, she’d refused all invitations for more than a week. At first, she’d gotten away with a megrim, but eventually, when Mother saw no evidence of Giles reappearing, she started on her campaign once again to secure a title.

Suzanna didn’t care any longer. If Mother wanted her to marry a title, then that was what she would do. Her one foray into true love had ended as badly as a ship cast upon a promontory. Now she would be sensible and do as other members of the ton. Marry for connections, wealth, and title. Perhaps Mother had been right all along.