Part 1 (1/2)
Daring Deception.
Hiatt, Brenda.
Frederica was so angry. How dare he betroth himself to her an advertise openly for a mistress!
”It is the outside of enough that you've hired a ... a fancy woman in the first place, lord. But that you would actually prefer children to result from such a union.
She headed for the library door.
”I believe I've heard quite enough, Lord Sea brooke,” said scathingly over her shoulder.
With two long 'strides, Lord Sea brooke himself between her and the door.
”Miss Cherrystone, I'm not sure what have in your bonnet, but I beg you to sit and hear me out. I'll not have you scandal about the streets of London have been at such pains to keep this quiet.”
CHAPTER ONE.
GAVIN ALEXANDER, lately 6th Earl of Sea brooke, observed the growing dismay on the face of the young man before him and sighed. He should have known his own incredible luck over the past few hours was too good to be true, and so it apparently was. The lad couldn't pay up.
”I'll accept your vowels, of course, Chesterton,” Lord Sea brooke said brusquely. Frustrated as he was, it was not in him to humiliate the boy publicly.
”You may redeem them later in the week.”
Sir Thomas chewed his lower lip, glancing quickly about at the interested spectators who had gathered to watch the final stages of the evening's deepest game, before meeting his opponent's eye.
”Might I have a word with you privately, sir?” he asked in a shaky undertone.
Sea brooke inclined his head, masking fierce disappointment with the lightly amused nonchalance that came so easily now after years of practice.
”You've all had your entertainment,”
he said to their audience.
”Our terms of payment can be of no interest to you whatever.” Though there was nothing overtly threatening in either words or tone, the crowd of gentlemen melted away at once.
”I--I seem to have a problem,” stammered the young baronet as soon as they were alone. He raked agitated fingers through his thick shock of fair hair as he stared despondently down at the table, unable to meet the other man's eyes. ”You don't have the means to pay your gaming debts. Yes, I had gathered that.” Sea brooke's voice was cold now. He had needed those winnings so desperately!
”You realize that I could have you barred from White's for playing under false pretences.”
Sir Thomas's head came up at once.
”It was no such thing!” he declared hotly.
”The Chesterton fortune is every bit as extensive as I said. I just don't exactly... have access to it at the moment. It is tied up in trust, you see.” A flame of renewed hope sprang up in Gavin's breast.
”But the money is yours?”
”Yes, yes, of course! Well, mine and my sister's, anyway. The terms of m'
father's will were rather ... irregular.” Lord Sea brooke thought he detected a certain bitterness in the lad's voice.
”My share will more than cover your twelve thousand pounds, but my allowance won't make a dent in it. In fact, my pockets are practically to let till next quarter.” The despair was back in his eyes, and Sea brooke felt his brief hope wither.