An Inadvisable Wager (The Curse of the Weatherby Ball Book 2) Eliza Lloyd (reading books for 7 year olds .TXT) 📖

I have something important to tell you. It’s important that I be direct and unflinching in my assessment.”

“I’ve never known you to be otherwise.”

“It’s not too late. You can claim fraud, for surely it is. We should end this before we are tied irrevocably.”

He held a steady gaze. Nothing about Nora surprised him. “What about Henbury Hall?”

“I will find some other way. Perhaps you will sell it to me when I have the funds. I know that sounds silly since you know much of my circumstance. But I’ve come to see my actions for what they are: selfish, presuming, pig-headed.”

“And once we are divorced or the marriage annulled, what will you do?” He didn’t doubt the sincerity of her words. He believed that she believed what she was saying in the moment. He also knew that Henbury Hall was too big a temptation to believe that for long.

“Return to Whitmarsh. There were a few landowners who would take me to wife. I can live my life as I was meant to: simply.”

“Hmm.” Now she was outright lying. Not for a minute did she believe she was meant to live simply, whatever that meant.

“You know I’m right.”

“Are you able to continue pickpocketing there? Will you have to bear ten children?  Will he dress you in silks?”

“Sarcastic as your statement is, I’m not sure any of those things are pertinent to this discussion of our future,” she snipped.

“Well, there is another option. Much more realistic, in my opinion.” Gabriel hesitated to say it, but she turned to look at him with real expectation. “Granted, it would be a bigger sacrifice than either a divorce or an annulment.”

“What?”

“No. No, it would be too difficult for both of us.”

“Tell me,” she demanded.

He leaned toward her. “We could stay married and forget all this emotional claptrap. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were playing more games.”

“Now you are making me angry.”

“You? I am the one who should be angry from the first deception. But, for the strangest reason, I’m not. And I’m willing to give you almost anything except the silliest of all things, a divorce. No one obtains a divorce no matter how egregious their marital circumstances are.”

“Another thing Lady Fortenay thinks is rank foolishness.”

“Of course, she does. Oh, I cannot wait to meet this woman. I have a few things I want to say to her.” Gabriel started to pace. “Are we in agreement? Or do you have more demands?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Nora wasn’t docile even when she pretended docility.

“I’ve a mind to leave for Henbury Hall first thing in the morning so we can settle this once and for all.” And now, he was lying.

“And then we can divorce?”

He laughed. “Oh, my dear. If you want a divorce now, I can’t imagine your reaction once you see Henbury Hall.” If only he had a good way to reveal the truth, one that wasn’t going to cause her immeasurable heartache.

Chapter Six

The note from Ellis Rawden wasn’t a surprise. His father had died overnight. Gabriel felt the pain his friend was experiencing, since his own father had died nearly a year ago. For the new Earl of Fromme and Rode it would be a life-changing experience. Taking on the responsibilities of several large estates, managing scores of families and businesses. All while managing the sorrow of a lost father. He could be there this evening, in support of his long-time friend.

To Mintz, he asked. “Where is Lady Carlow?”

“She went for a stroll with her lady’s maid. I’m not sure when she will be back.”

“Did my mother go with them?”

“No, my lord, she’s across the green at Lady Weatherby’s.”

“Can you have the carriage prepared? Rawden’s father has passed.”

“You’ll be leaving for South Weald?”

“Yes, within the hour.” Gabriel tallied all the things he had to do in the next few days. He didn’t doubt his need to be with his friend, but Nora was also one of his priorities. She was a filly who would spook at the mere hint of trouble. Or bolt if the barn door were left open. He’d promised a week in London before they left for Henbury; a trip to South Weald would push their departure back by four days or so.

“I’ll pack your valise as well.”

“Uh, Mintz.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I will leave a short note for Lady Carlow and my mother, but I want you to keep a special watch over my wife.”

“She’s been most pleasant, my lord. But certainly, I will enlist the household to keep her from pining until you return.”

“Lady Carlow won’t be pining; she’ll be plotting, and I want to keep her busy.”

“Perhaps you should take her with you?”

“I’m afraid she has no affinity for Ellis, and South Weald is too close to Henbury Hall for my comfort.” And she had no mourning garb. Gabriel wasn’t all that certain Nora would be willing to mourn for one of the Wicked, even if it was only one or two days.

“I understood you to say you were taking her there shortly. Why not now?”

“Mintz, there are reasons.” What Nora would see when they arrived at Henbury Hall would break her heart. The day after the Weatherby Ball, Gabriel had sent special instructions to the estate labors to focus on a few of the more important projects. Any extra time would be put to good use, but there wasn’t enough time to fix all that was wrong. This was going to take months, if not a few years.

“Of course, my lord. There are also privy reasons to marry a woman you’ve just met, too, but I have yet to understand them either.”

“Mintz, when was the last time you kept your opinions to yourself?” He’d been with the family for a very long