The Lady's Wager by Hampton Olivia & Hampton Olivia

Author:Hampton , Olivia & Hampton, Olivia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9:

Mary tossed a crumpled gown in the direction of her trunk and wiped her streaming eyes with one hand. There was no way she could stay in London, even though she wanted to stay so badly. She had nowhere to go, and she had too little actual cash now that she had spent hers on the consol.

Mary’s heart twisted in her chest and a sob wormed its way upward into her throat. She muffled that sound by stuffing her fist into her mouth and biting down on her knuckle. The tears kept coming, running hot and salted down her cheeks.

There was something genuine between her and Gemma. Something beautiful, but far too fragile. There would be no more time to grow that lovely, delicate thing into something stronger. To see what it would become if it were given a chance.

Why didn’t I just leave it all alone?

Mary knew very well why she had told on Wickham and Lydia. She was tired of watching those two people take and take and take. She was furious at the way everyone gave Lydia the best of everything. Lydia got it all and there she was, always in the background, always lurking in the corners of the room, hoping someone noticed her. Hoping someone would give her some scrap or crumb of affection or time or even a little extra pin money.

And Wickham…

Mary shuddered all over as revulsion took hold. Mr. Wickham was a monster. A horrible, horrible monster who had taken a young girl already far too willing to engage in schemes and plots to benefit herself and turned her into…Mrs. Wickham.

“Gross.”

Mary stopped hurling clothes toward the trunk and plopped down on the floor. The pale pink gown attracted her attention. She had a serious and strong desire to just shred it to bits. She hated that dress.

The door opened. Lillian stood there. They eyed each other for long moments in the silence. Lillian closed the door gently and then she took up a stance very close to Mary.

Mary closed her eyes. She didn’t want to hear some polite words that would all mean the same thing. Uncle William had given his edict. She would go. So would Lydia. Not that Lydia’s also being banished was any consolation.

Lillian cleared her throat. “You have a letter. From a Mr. Jones.”

Mary darted to her feet. She held her hand out as excitement coursed through her, causing her to forget all her woes for a moment. “Let me see it.”

Lillian produced the letter, but she didn’t extend it. “Mary, is this man a suitor?”

Mary blinked. An idea took shape. If Lillian thought she had a suitor, she might not be so eager to send her back home. “Does it matter?”

Lillian fiddled with the folded over sheet of paper. The sealing wax shone thick, red, and oily. “I don’t want you to lose an opportunity. Neither does your uncle.”

So yes, pretending that Mr. Jones was a suitor might mean being allowed to stay. But the unfairness of it all still rankled.

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.