AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 4
The following morning, William hadmet briefly with Heslop and then had made his way to Doctors’ Commons in pursuit of a special license, which was now tucked safely in his breast pocket. The vowel had been in existence for thirty-odd years, but now that it had been brought to light and acknowledged and the special license obtained, William was anxious. He would rest more easily after the marriage had been performed and duly written into the parish register, he thought as he scraped soap and stubble from his chin for the second time today, paying special attention to an unruly spot under his jaw, careful not to nick himself.
He had washed and shaved this morning, but an invitation to dine at Ashworth House this evening had arrived during his absence from home, and as he intended to look his best when he presented himself at Ashworth House again, he was repeating the process.
This was one of the few times in his life he wished he had a valet. He hadn’t bothered with one in university and hadn’t seen the need since, which was probably just as well, considering just how empty the family coffers he’d inherited were. He’d done well enough over the years to make himself presentable, occasionally relying on the help of a maid or laundress wherever he’d been staying at any given time.
He attempted a slightly more elegant knot than usual in his neckcloth without success, then tossed it aside and tried again with a fresh one. He must do his best to look the impeccable gentleman when he arrived to dine with Lady Louisa and her parents. He wouldn’t be surprised if her brothers would be there as well, scrutinizing him closely.
William didn’t usually concern himself with others’ perceptions of him, but tonight was crucial. Family honor aside, if William presented himself in any way that implied their daughter and sister was headed toward disaster by marrying him, the brothers would not hesitate to intervene, he was sure.
He located his stickpin and carefully inserted it into the folds of his neckcloth, praying it would keep the knot he’d achieved in some semblance of order throughout the evening, and evaluated his appearance in the mirror.
He’d managed well enough, he supposed.
He hoped he’d managed well enough.
He sighed. If he were to be honest with himself, he would admit that, first and foremost, what he wanted was to improve Lady Louisa’s opinion of him.
Heslop’s words ran incessantly through his mind: “The legal aspects of the wager are thin and would not be enforceable if challenged. You must win the lady over just to be sure.”
William had his work cut out, especially since she had declared her hatred for him.
* * *
Louisa sat, her back ramrod straight, on the edge of the settee in the drawing room while she and her parents and her brothers awaited the arrival of Lord Farleigh to join them for dinner. They had all dressed much finer than they normally would when dining en famille. The addition of Lord Farleigh called for more formality.
Alex and Anthony had been apprised of the abrupt change in her betrothal. The discussion had included a great deal of disbelief and resistance on their part, including a few unseemly remarks Papa had put a stop to before they’d gotten out of hand. However, Louisa knew her brothers well enough to know they were not about to ignore the topic as they dined with Lord Farleigh this evening, regardless of Mama’s added appeal to them for discretion. Her brothers were not the type to mince words.
Louisa was not looking forward to any of this, and long before she felt ready, Gibbs announced the arrival of their guest.
“Farleigh, I presume,” Alex said, crossing the room to shake the viscount’s hand. “I had a casual acquaintance with the previous Lord Farleigh. I believe I won several hundred quid off him once.”
“You likely did,” Lord Farleigh answered smoothly but not before Louisa’s father shot Alex a quelling look. “My father rarely turned away from an opportunity to wager.”
“Welcome, Lord Farleigh,” Louisa’s mother said, rising from her chair and offering her hand to him. “We are pleased you are joining us.”
Louisa assumed her mother was only pleased that he was joining them for dinner—and not that he was going to be joining the family. And she might not have even meant the word pleased at all.
“Thank you, my lady,” he replied with a bow.
“Wait a moment; I remember you,” Anthony said, coming forward. “Will Barlow, from Eton. You’re Farleigh now, eh? Alex, you remember Barlow. He was house captain when I was a first-year boy. Gave me a rather hard time too, every once in a while.”
“Only when you deserved it,” Lord Farleigh said. “Which wasn’t frequent, by my recollection.”
“Why, so it is,” Alex said, recognition dawning on his face. “It’s been years. Care for a drink, Farleigh?”
“No, but thank you for the offer.”
Alex poured one for himself and downed it in one swallow, earning a reproving look—this time from Mama.
How they had managed to tell her brothers about the betrothal to Lord Farleigh without mentioning his name, Louisa didn’t know. At least now he didn’t seem a total stranger to her brothers.
“Condolences on the loss of your father,” Anthony said. He had always been the more solicitous of Louisa’s two brothers. Perhaps it was a trait he’d developed as spare to the heir.
“Thank you, Lord Anthony. These have been difficult times,” Lord Farleigh said.
Alex snorted.
