An Inadvisable Wager (The Curse of the Weatherby Ball Book 2) by Eliza Lloyd

Author:Eliza Lloyd [Lloyd, Eliza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

There were times when it was terrible to be such a good liar. Nora needed to reread sections of her mother’s diary. Exeter’s name was mentioned. The context was very specific: Exeter had gifted her mother a pearl necklace, but now she had to be sure. At the time she had only wondered where the necklace had gone.

It hadn’t meant anything when she’d first read it, and she hadn’t given it a second thought since then. She would reread the diary as soon as she could.

“I met the estimable Lady Fortenay when I arrived. She was pleased you married such a fine specimen,” Gabriel said.

Nora glanced at him quickly. He was a handsome man in his brown boots and fawn britches. His jacket fit well across the shoulders. And all his finery supported an appealing visage—dark brows, high cheekbones and solid jaw. His color was high, whether from being tired after a long journey or from other emotion he was feeling. And all that hair, tossed about by the wind. A hundred different shades in no particular style.

“I’m sure she was contemplating how grateful she was that someone else is now required to care for and protect me.”

He stopped and turned, bowing quickly. “It is my greatest pleasure, Lady Carlow.”

Nora blushed. The sincerity of his words was in direct opposition to Nora’s callous and selfish determination. How could she change that when her feelings for Henbury and her family’s heritage were so all-encompassing? “Carlow, how will you ever trust me? You know what I am capable of; you know my family’s past.”

“We all have our sins.”

“I have yet to see yours.”

“You don’t count Miss Talbot among them?”

“If sin and Miss Talbot went together, you would be married to her instead of me,” Nora said.

He laughed, a hearty sound that echoed between the buildings as they approached the house. “Sins are there. I prefer to reveal them slowly, over time and with plenty of drink in my belly. You might want a few drinks as well, should I decide to reveal all my misdeeds.”

“Reveal something soon, or I will start to believe you are a living saint.”

“If you’d seen me dress down Mintz about your escape, you’d question my integrity.”

“Did you? Oh, I didn’t mean to cause him trouble.”

“He’s as tough as an old leather shoe. I wouldn’t worry.”

Gabriel opened the back door and they stepped into the darkened hallway, leading to the kitchen and dining room. The house was lit with candles placed in the windows along with two large candelabra on the dining room table. The cook and Molly were hurrying back and forth to complete the service. Nora supposed Carlow was the cause of the less-than-casual setting. Lord and Lady Fortenay weren’t the fussy type on an average day.

“I’ll let Lady Fortenay know we have returned. Where is your valise? I can show you to our room in a moment,” Nora said.

“Our room?”

“This is a small abode as ton standards go and there aren’t enough servants to be scrambling about to clean all six rooms every morning.

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