“Champagne does make for a more festive atmosphere,” was the next comment.“And with that lovely thing up for grabs, there’s certainly cause to celebrate.”
“Just think of the lucky bastard who wins her,” a husky voice added with a chuckle.“I for one would take great pleasure in knowing I tupped Wrengate’s sister.”
James gnashed his teeth.A quick death was too good for these men.He wanted to torture each of them first.Slowly.And yet somehow, he managed to act as though he agreed with what they were saying, as though he shared their sordid opinions, and perverted hankerings.
A bath would be in order later, so he could wash away the filth this evening’s event had covered him in.
The only small blessing was the champagne.It truly was delicious.
He gulped down several refreshing sips before setting his glass aside and declining the cake.It was time to start the bidding, with Mr.Grover setting the minimum sum at a staggering twenty-thousand pounds.A much higher amount than what Croft had predicted.
Yet James had come here with a purpose, and he had no intention of letting anyone else leave with Lady Edwina.So he casually raised his hand along with a few other men, and continued to do so with each subsequent sum Mr.Grover called out.
“Fifty-thousand,” Mr.Grover eventually declared, a greedy smile curling his lips.
Again, James raised his hand and noted that only one other man followed suit this time.The auction would soon be over.Except, as the seconds wore on, it seemed his competitor had no intention of losing.The annoying man kept raising his hand until they were nearing eighty-thousand pounds.And surpassed it.
“Eighty-three thousand pounds,” Mr.Grover said.
James raised his hand.So did his opponent.
He sent the man a sidelong glance.“I’m guessing you’re either in love with the chit or loathe her brother.”
“Perhaps my motive is altogether different, though I can’t help but wonder what yours might be.”
James raised his hand as eighty-five thousand was called.He knew that voice but couldn’t quite place it.
“Ninety-thousand,” Mr.Grover intoned, his voice a jarring sound in the now silent room.
James raised his hand once more, but this time he noted the other man’s hesitation.Yet he continued to bid, through ninety-one thousand, ninety-two, ninety-three…all the way to ninety-nine.
Mr.Grover took a big breath, and then, “One.Hundred.Thousand.Pounds.”
James raised his hand while glancing toward his opponent.The man appeared frozen in time.
“One hundred thousand,” Mr.Grover repeated.
James’s opponent finally shook his head and slumped in his seat.
“Going once,” Mr.Grover said, “Going twice… Sold, to the gentleman in the front row.”
Clapping ensued, accompanied by words of congratulations directed at James.He breathed a sigh of relief even as he reminded himself that this had been the easy part.Although he might have won Lady Edwina, he’d yet to whisk her away from this place and to safety, before anyone realized his deception.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” said Mr.Grover.“This concludes the event.Please prepare your bearer notes according to your winnings.Since the available funds cannot be verified until morning, I invite you to spend the night in the rooms that have been prepared for your convenience.”
James froze.There had been no mention of this in the message relayed by Murdoch’s informant.
“You cannot be serious,” one of the other guests said.“If you intended for us to remain here all night, you should have said so in the invitation so we could prepare.”
It seemed James was not the only one who’d been taken by surprise.
“Those of you who don’t owe anything are naturally free to leave, but I must insist that the rest of you stay.”Mr.Grover raised his chin.“Just until your bank approves the necessary payment.”
“This is outrageous,” another guest grumbled.“You should be satisfied with our bearer notes and words of honor.”
“Bearer notes can be forged,” Mr.Grover quipped.“Similarly, words of honor may easily be questioned among a group of men striving to purchase a duke’s abducted sister.If you’ll forgive me for saying so.”
“By God,” a man behind James exclaimed, “I’ve never been more insulted in my life.”
