His Errant Ward: A Scandalous Age-GapGuardian & Ward Regency Romance (Wicked Winchesters Book 4) by Celeste Jones

Author:Celeste Jones [Jones, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

"Lord Julius Banyon? Truly?" Thomas Winchester said after Zander had filled him in on the events—well, not all events—since they had parted at the Beaumonts' Ball. "And he intends marriage after only one dance and a social call?" Thomas shook his head. "Marriage ought not to be entered into lightly."

Zander chuckled. "As I recall, you and Lady Katherine were wed within a very short time after your arrival in London."

Thomas smiled. "True. We are fortunate that all has worked out, even better than I had ever imagined it could. But that is the exception rather than the rule. Though I suppose that Lord Banyon is more interested in family connection and Lady Natalia's dowry than in her conversational skills."

All of this made Zander's stomach knot up. Thomas was correct, of course, and the idea of someone not appreciating all that Tallie could bring to a relationship seemed wasteful and —dare he say it—criminal.

"Does Lady Natalia have an opinion on Lord Banyon?" Thomas asked, though the spark in his eye hinted that he already knew the answer.

"She is not impressed," Zander said. "She nearly scuppered the whole thing with her behavior but I have smoothed things over and we will go riding with Lord Banyon and his mother this afternoon."

"And what of your feelings for your ward?" Thomas ventured.

"I have nothing to offer her," he said. "No title, no independent wealth. I have sufficient assets for my own modest needs, but not enough to support a wife in the way Natalia deserves. I do not even have the glow of youth on my side."

"What of the Waltham estate? Surely that is sufficient for the two of you?" Thomas persisted.

Zander blew out a breath. "The estate is nearly destitute. Clayton made some bad investments and I did not divest of them soon enough."

"Oh dear," Thomas said. "You are most certainly in a bind. Does Lord Banyon know of the financial problems?"

"Not yet. I am hoping to have her married to him before it all comes to light." Zander could not even look at Thomas when he admitted to his plan.

"It would not be the first time someone got a surprise after marriage," Thomas said. "Though that is not the type of behavior I would expect from you, Zander."

"Nor I," he said. "But what am I to do? I am entrusted with her care and instead of finding her a loving husband and ensuring her financial security I have fallen in love with her and wasted all the assets of the estate. I do not deserve her. And she certainly does not deserve me."

There was a long pause as they rolled toward the waterfront. "You are much too harsh on yourself, my friend," Thomas finally said.

"I pray all goes well this afternoon so that this can be patched up between Tallie and Lord Banyon. She did not leave the impression of being sweet and malleable."

"She needs a firm hand, that is true," Thomas said, pinning his gaze on Zander as though he knew the liberties he had taken with his ward.

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