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“I would be honored to meet them.”
Miss Marston gave him a secret smile. “I think you will get along famously with them.”
He prayed that was so because at this point she was his only hope. Other than Jennette, he thought. No, she was out of the question. Spearing a piece of lamb, he decided to concentrate solely on Mary Marston.
His future bride.
The woman who would rescue him from his current plight.
The woman he would spend the rest of his life with no matter how much he desired another.
“You will ride with me tomorrow, will you not?” she whispered, leaning closer to him.
“Of course.”
That brought images of another form of riding that had nothing to do with horses. He glanced down at Jennette and wondered what she would be like in bed. As much as he knew about her, she would be full of passion, an enthusiastic lover who would take everything he could give her.
Mary cleared her throat. Matthew looked over at her and instantly knew what she would be like in bed. Dull. A woman who did her duty because that was what was expected of her. She would give him the children he wanted and then she would request he leave her alone.
He really should kiss her just to determine if he could find a spark of attraction.
His wandering gaze landed on Jennette again. She appeared in an animated conversation with Baron Huntley. The hairs on his neck stood on end. Huntley was a known gambler and rake. He’d been after Vanessa as a mistress for years. When she’d chosen Matthew as a protector, Huntley had been furious. Worse even, rumor had it the man had five bastards from different women.
Matthew turned his attention to the people around him who had entered into a conversation regarding the unusual weather of the year. Joining in, he gave his opinion and his hopes that next year would be better. Perhaps then his tenants would have a good crop and pay their outstanding rents.
The men entered the large salon after their brandies and cigar
s. All the women had been gossiping or complaining about womanly issues until the men entered. Then they all put on their smiles, fanning themselves in the cool room. Jennette had welcomed the reprieve from the men. Baron Huntley had monopolized the conversation at the dinner table, giving her a headache.
As the men wandered the room searching for a whist or chess partner, she wondered how she could escape unnoticed. With her mother in the room, Jennette knew that wasn’t a possibility. Nicholas caught her gaze and she nodded to him. Perhaps a game of chess with him would help pass the time.
“Interesting dinner companion,” he said as he sat down.
“The man is a bore.”
“Have a care, Jen.” Nicholas set up his black pawns. “The man is a gambler.”
Jennette raised her eyebrows at him. “I know that. He is of no interest to me.”
Nicholas laughed. “I didn’t think he was. I’m quite certain where your interest lies.”
“Blackburn is also a gambler. I want no part of that either. In fact, all I want is a quiet game of chess. No discussions.”
Nicholas turned his lips downward as his eyebrows did the same. “I’ve never heard nor seen Blackburn gamble any amount of money.”
Jennette pursed her lips. “And yet, his dearest friend appears to be Somerton.”
“Which means nothing.”
“Tell me about Emma.” Jennette hoped his fatherly pride would bring the conversation to a safer topic.
Nicholas regaled her with all the troubles of bringing up a ten-year-old girl. As much as she tried to listen, she couldn’t help but glance over at Matthew while he played piquet with Mary. Ignoring the painful envy clawing at her heart, Jennette watched the interplay of the couple. Mary looked happy as she played but Matthew appeared bored.
Maybe they weren’t as perfect a couple as Jennette had thought. She did want to see him happy and if Mary wasn’t the right woman, she needed to know. Somehow, she would have to meet with Matthew in private and discuss it.
“The game is over here, Jennette,” Nicholas said with a chuckle. “It is your move.”
Jennette looked down at the board and realized Nicholas had her queen trapped and could put her into check in two moves. Quickly, she moved her pawn in front of her king, sacrificing her queen.
