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“Indeed. Not a sou to his name. Lost most of it on the gaming tables, they say. He’ll come about. His kind usually does.”
“Brummell did not,” Mandy pointed out.
“No, shame in that, but the Beau made an enemy of Prinny. Unwise.” He sighed, “‘Tis why I honestly have not encouraged a match between you and Owen. However, if we can’t get you a season, he may be the answer.”
“Oh-ho!” Mandy’s hands nearly went to her hips. “I would rather be a spinster than marry a man who only loved my money.”
“Right, then what you need is a London Season and although our aunt Tess is away and can’t manage it now. I will arrange something else, see if I don’t.”
“I did so want a season; at least I did, once upon a time. Now I fear, I shall be looked upon as ‘too old’,” Mandy sighed wistfully.
“Good Lord then girl, that settles it! I will arrange it all…for you are not too old. Not at all—at least not yet.” He saw the worried look on her face and frowned as he added, “With your looks, Mandy…for even if you are m’sister, I must say all m’friends think you are a ravishing beauty. That being said and there is the fact that you have a sizeable dowry, well… it stands to reason you’re bound to attract every single bachelor in London.”
She smiled at him, “Neddy, you are the best brother any girl could have, but one needs a female sponsor for a season and for admittance to Almack’s and for invitations to routs and balls…”
“I shall hire you a chaperone and I’ll be there. Fancy going to London.”
“Oh, if only it could be contrived.”
He pondered this problem, “Told you, mean to apply to our guardian. After all, he is a duke. If anyone can see to it that you are well established, he can.”
“Yes, but will he?” Mandy was not so sure. After all, she thought, he had not bothered with them since their grandfather’s death fourteen months ago.
“He must. His duty, you know,” Ned answered, but his sister heard the doubt in his voice.
“Yes, but remember that note of his that we received just after Grandpapa’s funeral. It was filled with all sorts of good intentions and then we never heard from him again,” Mandy said. “So odd, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do, because I remember Grandpapa mentioning him when he was ill. Said he was the best of good fellows,” Ned agreed.
“Yes, it galled me that he never bothered with us after that very nice letter he initially sent. It doesn’t make a lick of sense, does it?”
They had at that juncture arrived at a tavern whose weathered exterior was relieved by brightly filled flower boxes and a huge red sign depicting it as the Cock Pit, to all who looked to enter.
Among the Cock Pit’s many charms, it boasted the best sport to be had for miles, which meant it held the very popular cock fights in its back courtyard.
Ned dismounted hurriedly and told his sister, “Well Mandy, old girl, I’m off. If you want m’company home, you’ll have to keep yourself occupied for at least two hours or more, for depend upon it; that is how long I shall be.”
She grimaced at him, “‘Tis a horrid sport.”
“Now don’t be missish, not like you at all to be missish.”
“Bloodthirsty lot, but at least you don’t let them fight to the death like they do at that horrid place down the road. I’ll give you that.”
“Well makes no sense to let your favorite cock be killed, now does it? Always obvious when one is superior…just pull him off,” her brother agreed amiably. “Right then, I’m off.”
She smiled and called out, “Good luck to you and Skip for I assume he will be meeting you here and do give him a hug for me.”
“I’ll say hello for you, but I’ll be dashed if I hug him for you,” he brother grinned over his shoulder.
She laughed and headed her horse to Harrowgate’s small but busy center.
Chapter Two
DUSK WRAPPED ITS smoky billows over the Dales and though it was a warm summer evening. Celia Brinley hugged her blue shawl tightly about her shoulders. She fidgeted on the cold stone bench as she peered thoughtfully into the blackness of the lily pond that reposed less than a few feet from her dainty boots.
Her reflection looked back at her in the dark water before her gaze and she smiled, much pleased with herself. Her plan would work because it was perfect.
She had them all arriving just in time to witness Ned in a compromising position with her. She would see to it that is what it would look like. Then no one would have any doubts about their relationship and he would have no way out. He would have to marry her and he would, because he was a kind hearted lad.
