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“I shall tell you at tea,” she said as she placed her hand in his. “It will give us a topic to discuss.”
Did he tell her that her chosen topic was not at all appropriate? Best not. He wished to hear the answer and besides, Somersworth was right:
she’d be wed before she could ever gain the popularity she sought. But in her match, she was sure to provide her family with everything she hoped.
“All right then. I’ll come the day after tomorrow.”
“Good,” she said, giving his arm a light squeeze. “I shall look forward to your company.”
“As will I.”
“And I’ll have to think on our next bet.”
He looked down at her, bewildered. He ought not accept any more wagers. He was attempting to maintain his distance, but the words never left his mouth. Instead, he found himself saying, “Not if I think of one first.”
CHAPTERSIX
Mirabelle was still smilingat Boxby’s comment the next morning when they all loaded into the carriages to make their way back to London. It was a two-day trip from the Boxbys’ country estate near Bristol back to the city and as she climbed into the carriage with Emily, Anna, Ace, and…Ken—she still hadn’t adjusted to his given name—she could confess that she was looking forward to the journey.
It seemed her other four brothers were still recovering from the wedding and were sequestered in a carriage together.
Served them right.
Upton and Somersworth were in a third at the back of the group.
Briefly, she wondered what they might be discussing. Fine liquor? Gaming hells? Women?
The last possibility made a smile twitch on her lips and Emily leaned closer. “What is funny?”
“I was just wondering what Upton and Somersworth are discussing in their carriage.”
Boxby gave her another glower. “Ace. Tell your sister that no marriage-minded woman should ever trifle with Somersworth.”
“There’s been trifling?” Ace rumbled as he sat up straighter. “I want all the details immediately.”
She gave an exasperated sigh as she sat up straighter. “The extent of the trifling was a single game of croquet, which Lord Boxby suggested.”
“I see,” her bother said, looking back at Boxby with a quizzical glance.
Ken shrugged in return. “Then why are we discussing him now?”
She let out a small breath. “You three are the only lords I currently know. If I’m going to socialize with them regularly, it feels as though I ought to understand them. A bit. I’d speak with Upton too, but he’s…”
“Scary,” Anna supplied with an affirmative dip of her chin. “Positively frightening.”
“Yes,” Mirabelle agreed with a glance at her sister as they shared a look that communicated clearly that the duke was meant to be left alone.
“He can’t be more frightening than Fulton,” Emily answered, giving a small shiver. “Or Gris. They’re both enough to make any woman with sense…”
Ace and Boxby chuckled. “Too true,” Ace said. “Though don’t tell them I told you so, they’re both suckers for women in their family. They’d die before they let anything happen to any of you.”
Emily shook her head, as Anna answered. “And what about the duke? Does he have any family?”
Boxby shook his head. “None that he sees regularly.” He shifted next to Ace. “But tell me, Emily. How are you?”
Emily shifted, looking down at her lap. “Very well, thank you.”
Conversation quieted as everyone considered the formidable duke without family. Or perhaps that was only Anna.
