Lord Ashford's Wager by Marjorie Farrell Read Free Book Online Page B

led her over to the sofa, but stayed standing even after she sat down.
    He cleared his throat nervously and then said: “I am not going to beat around the bush, Claudia. I have something important to ask you.”
    Claudia could feel her heart beating faster. Was he going to propose today? She knew it was where they had been heading these past few weeks. And she thought she knew what her answer would be. Despite the rumors and despite the difference in their ages, she knew that Tony cared about her, that she was in love with him, and that they were attracted to each other. A better basis for marriage than most, surely.
    “You know my situation, Claudia. I’ve told you what a responsibility fell on my shoulders when Ned died.”
    She nodded.
    “When I first came to London, I thought…now I see it was foolish, of course, but I was so overwhelmed… I have been gambling as much as they say. I never was much of a player before, so I am not sure why it has such a hold on me. I suppose it is Ashford. Anyway, I am not trying to make excuses. And I am determined to stop.”
    Claudia smiled up at him. “I am very glad, Tony. I have heard rumors, but didn’t want to believe them.”
    “Yes, well…” Tony turned away. Clearly he was making this difficult confession to clear the way for his proposal, she thought. “But before I stop,” he continued, “I must pay off my debts. I hate to ask you this, Claudia, but I need to borrow six hundred pounds…er, guineas.”
    Claudia’s heart sank. She had so wanted him to be leading up to a declaration. She had so wanted to throw her arms around his neck and be lost in his embrace. And to relax again, knowing that she once again had a protector.
    But then, Tony was not Justin, she reminded herself. And she was no seventeen-year-old girl. And standing in front of her was that boy whom she sensed in Tony, who was at last trying to grow up. And wouldn’t she prefer the eventual proposal (for she knew it would come) from a man?
    “Exactly how much do you need, Tony?” she asked quietly.
    “Six hundred guineas would clear everything.”
    “All right. I will send to the bank this afternoon and have it delivered directly.”
    “Claudia, you don’t know how ashamed I am to be taking this from you.”
    “Nonsense. We are good friends, aren’t we? We care about one another. Well, good friends help one another out.” Claudia wanted no shame-ridden gratitude to taint their relationship. “Now let us put this behind us. Do you go to Lord Roth’s tonight?”
    “For a short while. Then I will have to go to St. James Street to clear myself.”
    “Of course,” Claudia murmured.
    “But we will have a waltz and supper together at Devonshire House tomorrow.”
    “I will look forward to that, then.”
    “I must go, Claudia. But I thank you, my lady, with all my heart, for your generous friendship.” The look in Tony’s eyes more than compensated for the few moments of disappointment on the sofa.
     

Chapter 8
     
    Jim stood on the corner, waiting for the hansom cab to pick him up. He was a few blocks from the house, but shuffled his feet nervously, for another servant might come by at any time. He was relieved to see the cab approaching and have the door opened for him from the inside.
    “Good afternoon, your lordship,” he said as he settled into the cab.
    “Good afternoon, Jim. Do you have anything new to report to me?”
    Jim felt very important as he nodded solemnly and said, “Indeed I do, my lord.”
    Fairhaven’s eyes narrowed, and when Jim looked into his face a sort of shiver went through him at the predatory look on his employer’s face. He hesitated for a moment, but then remembered he was not feeding mice to an impatient cat, but giving a member of Lady Fairhaven’s family information that might save her from an irredeemable mistake.
    “Well?” Fairhaven demanded sharply.
    “Lord Ashford visited Lady Fairhaven early yesterday afternoon. Of course I couldn’t