The Madcap by Nikki Poppen Read Free Book Online Page B

her sharp
insights, the joy she took in each day.
    It was something of an irony that finances were now
the reason he, himself, was being cited for an interest in Marianne, a reason that had never initially crossed
his mind.

    Brantley rose and brushed at his trousers. “Well, I
doubt she’ll last long. Already, her behavior is catching
up to her. She’s too wild by half. It’s quite shocking really, all that hand shaking and that stunt at the duck
pond. Some people can’t be brought up to snuff no matter the size of their wardrobe and of their daddy’s bank
account,” Brantley said derisively. The two men with
him laughed in agreement. “In fact, I’d wager she’ll be
gone before the Season ends. Miss Addison won’t last
until August before London casts her aside. Anyone
willing to take the wager? Pennington, you’ve been her
champion thus far,” Brantley suggested.
    Alasdair looked coldly at Brantley and shook his
newspaper open. He would not be a party to such a bet
nor would he rise to Brantley’s rather obvious bait. He
turned his attentions to an article on American wheat.
But the damage was in no way mitigated by his absence
from the conversation.
    “I’ll take your bet. Sounds rather interesting,” said
one of the men with Brantley, Lord Hamsford, a dissipated individual whom Alasdair knew only by name.
“You say she’ll be ousted by the end of July, by the
Cowes Regatta. I’ll say August fifth for good measure.
Perhaps we can even help the cause along”
    The men strolled over to the famed betting book and
entered their contract. Alasdair was disgusted. More
than disgusted, he was genuinely worried for Marianne. The last comment Hamsford made was truly alarming.
The depths to which Brantley would sink in order to
win a bet knew no bounds. There was no doubting that
her naivete and her outgoing nature would continue to
land her at the center of London’s attention for better or
for worse. Alasdair did not want to see that used against
her in a destructive manner. He had not wanted to be
part of Brantley’s crass wager but his concern for Marianne drew him in, regardless.

    There was only one way she’d escape Brantley’s
petty revenge and that was if someone brought her up
to standard. Alasdair would do what he could. But ultimately, Marianne would need more than him. Alasdair put aside the newspaper and glanced at his pocket
watch. Camberly would not have left his house yet.
There was still time to catch him. Hastily, Alasdair
scribbled a note for Lionel telling him to meet them at
Camberly’s town house. If there was anyone who
knew how to be an acceptable American among the
English it was Camberly’s wife, Audrey St. Clair.
    “Brantley is a scoundrel,” Lionel remarked an hour
later in Camberly’s music room where the three were
assembled with Audrey. Lionel made no attempt to
hide his displeasure over the latest development. “He
must realize that the wager alone is enough to cause a
scandal. No decent woman is named in White’s betting
book”
    “He understands perfectly well what he’s done.” Alasdair paced the length of the room, hands shoved
deep into his trouser pockets. “What’s worse is that
his friends are determined to play along. One of them
even suggested trying to `help things along.”’

    Audrey’s temper flared. “They mean to compromise her on purpose simply to win a bet?”
    Alasdair turned to Audrey. “I’m not sure they intend
to go that far but they do intend to see her set up for
failure.”
    “That hardly seems fair.”
    “Men like Brantley don’t have to consider fairness,
Aud” Camberly spoke from his chair. He’d been relatively silent, content to let the others vent their frustration. “His reputation as an honorable man was shredded
long ago. He cares for nothing beyond money and his
own self-importance.” The room fell silent.
    “I’m not sure we can protect her, Dair,” Lionel said