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He cleared his throat, glancing about the room. “I am well acquainted with some of your other guests. Lord Crestwood, Lord Craven, and Lord Dashlane are personal friends of mine.”
Charlie looked over at the three men who were also guests in the Moorish home. Lord Crestwood was engaged to Adrianna and Lord Craven to Bianca. Were they once debauchers too?
Mr. Moorish gave Balstead a glowing smile. “You know my future sons-in-law?”
Balstead paused. “Sons-in-law?”
Mr. Moorish waved. “That’s right. Were they about to visit you, my good fellow? The storm last week washed out the bridge north of town. We’ve only just gotten it repaired.”
“The storm?”
The baron’s voice had grown rock hard and Charlie found herself drifting closer once again.
Mr. Moorish nodded, a pleasant smile playing about his lips. “Fortunate for us, wouldn’t you say?”
“Very,” Balstead answered. “And I would happily accept your invitation, Mr. Moorish. Thank you.”
Charlie squinted her eyes, assessing him. He’d changed his attitude very quickly.
“Excellent.” Mr. Moorish clapped as he began the introductions. “These are my daughters, Ophelia, Cordelia, Adrianna, and Bianca.” Then he pointed to Charlie. “And our lovely guest, Lady Charlotte. My daughter, Juliet, is away on her honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon?” One of the baron’s eyebrows quirked. “With whom? The only man I see missing is the Marquess of Hartwell…” And then his eyes slid to Charlie again. “Is that why you’re here without your brother? He’s gone and gotten married?”
/> She didn’t answer, looking away again. She’d learned her lesson in the foyer. He wasn’t a man to try and verbally spar with. His experience far outweighed hers.
“Precisely,” His Grace called from next to Ophelia. “And you’ll have to forgive us for not attending your party. We were waylaid.”
Charlie stared at the other men. All three of those lords, who now stood attentively next to a lady, had been going to Balstead’s party. What was it he’d said? His parties were where men do things they don’t want respectable ladies to see. Were all lords like that?
How interesting. And they said men were far simpler than women…
She looked back at the massive man filling the doorway. His dark looks as intriguing as they were hard. He was the first man to ever utter little pearls of truth about what men did when they weren’t pretending to be gentlemen. He could teach her a great deal.
She touched her lips with a single finger. She wanted to marry a good man, a man of quality, of course. And knowledge of men could only help with that, but right now she wished for a few more immediate needs to be met. Excitement. Interesting company. The Baron of Balstead could potentially help her with all of that.
And of course, she’d be able to sharpen her sparring skills. She’d lost the first round handily. But that didn’t mean one should give up. No, quite the contrary, she would try again. It was time for round two with her Bawdy Baron.
Raithe swore softly under his breath. These lords that he’d invited to his home were all pairing off already. Damn it all to bloody hell, he’d needed them single.
His childhood friend, Lady Cassandra Rainsville, had been recently widowed. Not surprising considering she’d married a man who’d been ill from the start. But to her dismay, he’d not left a single shilling to his wife’s name.
Raithe had offered to marry her himself, and she currently lived in his home. He’d not allow her to be turned out onto the streets, but she’d flatly refused his offer of marriage. Something about marrying for the wrong reasons once was enough.
He supposed he understood. He’d married for the right reason at the age of twenty, before he’d discovered he was the next Baron of Balstead.
He’d loved Jennifer with his whole heart and when she’d grown heavy with his child, his affection had only grown deeper.
Neither of them had survived the birth. They’d left him alone and adrift in this world. The familiar ache weighted his stomach. The one he usually lessened with alcohol and meaningless liaisons.
But one good marriage had ruined him for the institution forever so he could see how a bad one might frighten Cassandra away.
Yet, he wanted her to be happy. She was the closest thing to family he had. And so he’d chosen some of the most eligible bachelors he could find to attend his party. Men who had slightly tarnished reputations and might be willing to overlook her poverty while still being kind-hearted enough to make a decent spouse.
He scratched the back of his neck. Unfortunately, he’d been right. They were primed and ready for a good match. Just not with Cassandra.
“Have a seat.” Mr. Moorish gestured for him to step further into the room. “Dinner will be served shortly. Cordelia was about to play for us.”
Balstead crossed the room as everyone returned to his or her seat. Charlie sat down on the settee she’d been lounging on but blessedly didn’t stretch out. If she lay back again, he might…what? Toss himself atop her in front of all these people?
