Wedding the Widow by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Lord Harold lived up to his promise of being a charming if somewhat roguish dinner companion. He possessed a quick wit that put Elizabeth at her ease immediately. Stories of his escapades at university had her laughing in spite of her circumstances.

“You have been at Cambridge how long, my lord?” Elizabeth set her knife and fork down, astonished to find the plate completely clear. She’d feared she’d have no appetite, but Lord Harold’s engaging stories had managed to take her mind off her own woes.

“Only since this fall. Before that I was at Oxford off and on for two years.” He cut his gaze at Jemmy, who snorted.

“My brother, while a brilliant scholar when he wishes to be, usually spends his time at university getting into and out of scrapes. Hal, you’ve been sent home four times in the past three years?” Jemmy sipped his wine, eyes wide and innocent.

With a large, false sigh, Lord Harold slumped in his seat. “Alas, yes. I had actually hoped it would be five by now. I’m in a race with Lord Barger to see who can get booted out of school the most times before our fathers stop sending us. Currently, Barger is one up on me with five.”

Despite herself, Elizabeth had to laugh at the long, unrepentant face. The situation wasn’t crushing, really. Lord Harold, as a younger son, had to make his way in the world, and education would help that. But his joie de vivre, irrepressible as Jemmy’s, made it hard to censure him. “Certainly, you will settle down to your studies eventually, Lord Harold?”

He drained his wine and signaled for more. “Highly unlikely. I’ve my own inheritance when I reach thirty. And then I can always find a pretty girl with a substantial dowry to marry. If I play my cards right, I may never have to do anything with my life save get myself out of scrapes and marry well.” Wagging his eyebrows in rakish glee, he sent Elizabeth into peals of laughter. “Which brings me to the subject of marriage in general and your marriage in particular, Jemmy. You have obviously betrothed yourself to a lady with a keen discernment for wit. I commend you.” He raised his glass of burgundy to Jemmy. “So why may I not wish you happy?” Do you fear Mrs. Easton means to jilt you?”

“Nothing so dramatic as that.” Jemmy’s laughing face sobered at once.

Reminding her anew of her own plight, his words made Elizabeth’s spirits plummet.

“Father has forbidden us to marry.” Jemmy drank deeply from his wine goblet.

“Does he object to your bride-to-be?” Lord Harold cocked his head toward her, twirling the stem of his wineglass between thumb and forefinger. “You are suddenly much more intriguing, if I may say so, Mrs. Easton. I love a puzzle.” His infectious grin made it impossible for her to take offense.

“I am happy to provide you with a new challenge, my lord. You may call me Elizabeth, as I hope we are all to be related soon.

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