The Viscount’s Sinful Bargain (The Dukes' Pact Book 1) by Kate Archer

Author:Kate Archer [Archer, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

C assandra looked up from Lady Montague’s note. “What does it mean?” Cassandra said.

“It means,” Lord Burke said, “that Lady Montague has set out to ensure that very few people attend this ball. She knows she cannot hold sway over those such as the Blakeleys or my own mother, but she can hold sway over many. Though my mother had not planned on attending this evening, as she rarely attends balls, she sent for me to say that she would attend if necessary, to stand firm against Lady Montague’s scheme. I counseled that it would be best to take another course. Lady Marksworth, we must invent a ruse to cancel the ball immediately. It will be the only way to avert disaster.”

“Lord Burke,” Lady Marksworth said, “Nothing Lady Montague could get up to would surprise me, but we do not understand the note itself. What three engagements?”

Lord Burke paled. “Good Lord. You have not seen the print that has been everywhere.”

“If you mean the ridiculous illustration of the three gentlemen in the sky, we have seen it. It was thrown through our window, in fact. However, that is a reference to Lords Hampton, Lockwood and Ashworth choosing to escort us from the park after a certain rude gentleman made a coarse remark to my niece. It has nothing at all to do with any engagement.”

Lord Burke appeared thoroughly confused. “Hampton, Lockwood and Ashworth? No, Lady Marksworth. That is not who the gentlemen are meant to be. It is said that Miss Knightsbridge was secretly engaged to three gentlemen in Surrey, and that the three all met on the road to her estate. When they discovered each other, all three broke off with the lady.”

If Cassandra’s knees had felt weak when Lord Burke had first arrived, now they positively could not hold her up. She sank down onto a sofa.

What was this? What three gentlemen? What engagements?

Lady Marksworth held herself straight. She appeared furious. “I see. And do we know who the author of this wretched business might be? I am certain her father would call the scoundrel out at dawn.”

“That I do not know,” Lord Burke said.

“Is there any other story associated with this nonsense?” Lady Marksworth asked.

Lord Burke turned his face away.

“I see that there is,” Lady Marksworth said. “Out with it, if you please, my lord.”

Lord Burke heavily sighed. “As is the nature of gossip, at times there is talk of there being four or five gentlemen, rather than three. And, it is said, that Miss Knightsbridge has a particular facility with a shotgun and her father is terrified of her.”

Now it was Lady Marksworth’s turn to sink to the sofa. “And Lady Montague has seen fit to take full advantage of these malicious stories.”

“My lady,” Lord Burke said. “I know what I have communicated has come at a great shock, but we must act quickly. The later it gets, the more apparent that Lady Montague has succeeded.”

Lady Marksworth straightened her back, as if firming her resolve. “What do you suggest we do?” she asked.

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