Romancing Lady Augusta (The Welwyn Marriage Wager Book 4) by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon [Jaxon, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2024-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The after-dinner round of cigarettes and brandy that night seemed interminable to Julius. His grandfather’s smoking room, decorated to resemble a cooling-room in a Turkish bath, was hazy with smoke, not unexpected as all the Quartermains indulged in their grandfather’s store of fine Turkish tobacco. Tonight, however, the last thing Julius wanted was for the gentlemen to linger, talking about the wager, weddings, and when the next one of them would find a bride.

“So, who’s next?” Alex took a long drag on his cigarette and sent a long tendril of smoke shooting upward. “Three down, three to go.” He turned to Julius with a smirk. “Are you still wooing Lady Augusta? After your last drubbing from her at the chessboard, I’d have thought you’d leave well enough alone and seek another prospective bride. Tempus fugit, Jules.”

It took all of his patience not to bark a retort at his cousin, but Julius refrained from engaging with him. The sooner they quit talking, the sooner they could join the ladies. “No, I’m not, Alex. I’m traveling to London with Mother when I quit here. She’d promised to introduce me around to some of her friends’ daughters. I hope to have an announcement for the family by spring.” That he managed to keep the misery out of his voice was a miracle.

“She led you a merry chase, Boxted.” Grandfather came over and draped an arm around his shoulders. “I’d hoped you’d have made a match of it. It would have been a solid alliance for the family and she seemed to suit you.” His grandfather peered at him and Julius shrank back. “Are you certain you don’t want to continue your attentions to her?”

“I’m afraid not, Grandfather.” Julius had to find a way to make the torture stop. “I discovered that her affections lie with another gentleman. I have tried, as you know, to persuade her to transfer those affections to me, but she assures me her mind is quite fixed upon him. I will not disrespect the lady with further offers for her hand.”

His grandfather gripped his shoulder in sympathy, then shook his head. “A shame, Boxted, but your instincts are correct. Mustn’t devil the lady if she’s made up her mind elsewhere.” He released Julius and strode to the sideboard to refresh his glass. “Never fear. There are plenty of ladies who will be happy to bear the title of Lady Boxted.”

Unfortunately, the only lady he wanted to marry did not.

Mercifully, the party broke up a quarter of an hour later, Julius being the first one out the door. He strode down the long corridor from the back of the house, where the smoking room had been relegated by his grandmother, who hated the smell of the tobacco, and at last entered the drawing room. He gazed all around the room, searching for the single lady he sought. At last his eyes hit upon her figure, standing at the window that overlooked the back lawn, gazing out into the darkness. With a sigh of relief at finding her to herself, Julius hurried toward her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.