The Scoundrel's Wager (Tricking the Scoundrels, #4)

by Laura A. Barnes

  “Why did you need to cover for Lady Kathleen?” a voice asked from the door.

  Dallis shifted in her seat to see the newcomer. An attractive woman walked in and sat across from her. This had to be Belle. Or was it? This wasn’t a Madame, but a woman who held the appearance of a lady in society. She wore an elegant day dress of forest green. While not demure, it was still modest. The lady wore her hair in a bun, and a simple chain adorned her neck. She sat with a grace not expected of a Madame. However, after Dallis’s foray into the ton, she learned most people were not who they appeared to be. And Belle, even though she was a Madame, had eyes which spoke of a sadness that pulled at Dallis’s heart strings. This woman held her own story of heartache, and while the other ladies in the room enjoyed a happy ending to their stories, Belle did not. Dallis smiled at Belle, liking her at once. She understood why Sidney and Sophia cared for this woman. And if she was not mistaken, so did their husbands.

  Belle relaxed. She had been nervous when her friends requested a visit and asked to bring Rory’s wife, Dallis. Would this lady welcome a friendship? Belle feared she wouldn’t. However, the smile the red head beauty bestowed on her spoke otherwise.

  Dallis said, “I believe Lord Holdenburg kissed Kathleen. We could not find Kathleen for a spell. Lord Holdenburg had made note of her absence, discreetly of course. We separated to search for her, and I found her walking out from behind some dark columns. She held a faraway expression and muttered something about a kiss. Before I could inquire further, Mama and Rory joined us and Kathleen spun a story on her whereabouts. When I awoke this morning, Kathleen had already left with Mama.”

  “Do you think they shared a kiss?” Sidney asked.

  Sophia shook her head at Sidney’s dreamy voice. For someone who was once so cynical about love and romance, Sidney sure changed her opinion. Now, Sidney imagined there was a true love story for every couple.

  “If not at the Camville Ball, then later in the evening, Holdenburg kissed Lady Kathleen. I witnessed it myself,” Belle replied.

  All three women swung their eyes toward Belle with their mouths hanging open in astonishment. Belle would have laughed at the comedy if she didn’t need their help so badly. She worried she wouldn’t be able to fulfill the promises she made to Lady Kathleen and Holdenburg.

  “Do spill. This story keeps getting more scandalous by the minute,” Sophia said.

  Belle went on to explain what transpired at her establishment the previous evening. She told them everything, except for the details of the late Lord Beckwith’s bet. Only a handful of people knew, and they swore Belle to secrecy. Belle even thought Dallis held no knowledge. Rory still hadn’t confided everything to his wife. The fool. Did Rory not learn his lessons about keeping secrets? Belle finished with the kiss she'd observed when she followed Kathleen to the door. Belle told the ladies she wanted to make sure Kathleen left safely. When she finished the story with Holdenburg’s idiotic display of anger with Eve, all three ladies’ expressions changed from dreamy to fury.

  “I assumed he cared for Kathleen. Maybe we are wrong to pursue this? If Holdenburg is to be so callous in sharing the sport of sex with multiple women, then we need to keep him from Kathleen,” Dallis stated.

  Sophia and Sidney murmured their agreement. Apparently, they had been wrong. Dallis had been positive Holdenburg loved Kathleen, falling for his charm in this matter. Holdenburg fooled her as he fooled everybody. Dallis felt ashamed for allowing him to be her friend.

  Belle said, “You were not wrong in your assumptions of his feelings. However, you are wrong on his sexual pursuits.”

  “But he kissed Eve in front of Kathleen and carried her above stairs. His actions speak for themselves,” Dallis argued.

  “Yes, to most they would.”

  “Belle?”

  “Yes, Sidney.”

  “What are you leaving out of your story?”

  “Oh, I did not tell you he retrieved his coat from Eve and left shortly thereafter?”

  Sophia laughed. “No, you left out the most important part of the story.”

  Dallis sighed with relief. “He loves her.”

  The ladies discussed how they would bring Devon and Kathleen together. Sophia offered to throw a dinner party in Dallis and Rory’s honor in congratulations for the new baby. Sophia would invite Holdenburg and his parents. Belle would throw them together at every opportunity at her club. Dallis would encourage Devon to court Kathleen and win her heart the old-fashioned way. Every lady had a plan except for Sidney, who was the true matchmaker of the group. It was then they decided they would need to distract Rory. To accomplish this, Sidney would seek Rory’s help with a scientific project. Her father came into some artifacts which needed cataloging. Sidney would keep Rory occupied with this while everybody else brought the couple together.

  On their way out, Belle spoke to Dallis privately.

  “Please accept my congratulations on your upcoming birth, Lady Dallis.”

  “Thank you, Belle. Please call me Dallis, we are now friends.” Dallis reached out and squeezed Belle’s hands in an act of camaraderie.

  “Thank you, Dallis, for accepting me so openly.”

  “I want you to know that when the day comes and you want to unburden your sorrows, it would be my honor to have you confide in me.”

  Belle became choked with emotion at Dallis’s offer. She always thought she hid her feelings away, but her new friend sensed her unhappiness. Belle nodded and Dallis gifted her with the same friendly smile and hugged her before leaving.

  This last year had held many surprises for Belle. Welcome ones, but surprises, nonetheless. For years, her only true friends were Sheffield and Wildeburg. Sheffield helped during the worst time in her life. Their wives had opened their arms wide to offer Belle a woman’s companionship that she only ever dreamed of. Now her circle of friendship had spread even wider with Rory and Dallis. Only one person would complete this circle, but he would be forever out of her reach.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kathleen sat in the overcrowded parlor, watching Holdenburg charm the variety of dim-witted girls who flocked here with their mamas to visit Holdenburg’s mother. Since the duchess had returned to town, it gave them the excuse they needed to throw their daughters at the earl. Holdenburg enjoyed every moment, with every charming smile he would pay compliments to their dresses, and show sincere interest in what they spoke. Holdenburg gained the title of the most sought-after bachelor of the ton with these tactics. Even with his title of scoundrel, it still didn’t deter their pursuit. For he was also wealthy in his own right. His father held a dukedom, and Holdenburg would inherit with many family holdings, however Holdenburg had already gained his own fortunes from gambling. He had been the demise of many family’s ruin. Nonetheless, they still clamored for his attention. The mamas hoped for him to ruin their daughters with his scandalous ways. They urged their daughters to trap him in whatever way possible. Holdenburg always managed to escape from their clutches. While he ruined many of them, their parents never caught him in the act. The whispered sighs in the back of the ballrooms were proof of his rakish behavior.

  The duchess told Kathleen, “I am sorry, my dear, for this mad rush. Soon, these fools will leave and we will have time for our discussion.”

  “I understand.”

  “I do not comprehend why they deemed my parlor the destination for calls today.”

  “It is because of your presence in town. They now have an excuse to throw their daughters at Holdenburg.”

  “A waste of time on their parts.”

  “I think differently. He finds pleasure in their company.”

  “Then you are as much of a fool as they are, my dear.”

  “Excuse me, Your Grace?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Yes, I did. But I do not understand.”

  “My son only has eyes for one lady.”

  Kathleen looked over at Holdenburg to see who had taken hold of his attention. Her eyes clashed
with his. Holdenburg looked directly at Kathleen. When he wouldn’t break eye-contact, Kathleen turned away. The duchess patted Kathleen’s hands in understanding.

  “You must realize it is our greatest wish, your mother and I, for you and Devon to make a union.”

  “Tis not possible.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because your son and I can barely tolerate each other. We would kill each other before the honeymoon even finished.”

  The duchess laughed. Yes, Kathleen was perfect for her son. She loved Kathleen as a daughter. When Devon and Rory ran as boys, they always left Kathleen alone where she spent time with the ladies. The duchess passed her love of the theater onto the girl, and they enjoyed many passionate discussions of plays and the actors and actresses. She felt Devon harbored feelings for Kathleen and had yet to pursue them. But she'd noticed a change in her son since their return to the city. Devon carried himself with a tension she had never seen before, especially around Kathleen. And if the way Devon regarded the girl this afternoon was any indication, then he meant to pursue Kathleen. Yes, they would make beautiful babies. She wanted to discuss with Lady Beckwith how to bring them together.

  The duchess didn’t reply to Kathleen; instead she walked away with a wink. Soon the parlor emptied when it became time for the fashionable hour to end. When Kathleen and her mother remained sitting, the other mamas and simpering chits shot glares in their direction. The Duchess of Norbrooke, with her charming nature, promised to invite them for a luncheon party soon. The invitation appeased the ladies, offering another chance to pursue Holdenburg again.

  “Finally, what a madhouse this afternoon,” the duchess said.

  Holdenburg laughed. “You are the one at fault, Mother. This was never an issue while you and Father were at your country estate.”

  “I am at fault? No, my son. I am only the excuse they used to call. You alone lay in fault. They came to shove their daughters under your nose to make a choice.”

  “Then they are all fools. None of those chits meet my standards. I have already made my decision and when I am ready, I will let it be known. In the meantime, I do enjoy the extra attention.”

  Both of the older ladies laughed. However, a sense of loss settled over Kathleen. While Kathleen didn’t want Holdenburg for herself, she didn’t want him for anybody else. Once he married, they would no longer spar. It wouldn’t be appropriate, nor would his bride allow it. When Holdenburg mentioned he'd already made a choice, her heart stopped. She could no longer deny what he meant to her. Holdenburg meant more to Kathleen than she wanted to admit. It was so much easier to deny the emotion. Kathleen would have thought, after she witnessed him carry the harlot up the stairs after their passionate kiss, it would have destroyed any small amount of affection she held. Kathleen returned home where she laid in bed, suffering an ache she didn’t understand. Tears had streamed down her face as she imagined him making love to the beautiful blonde. Why did he kiss her so passionately one moment and then bed another so easily? But he didn’t kiss her, did he? He kissed Scarlet. He propositioned Scarlet. Not Kathleen. She'd confused herself with her own deception. Was she in over her head?

  Devon said, “If you ladies will excuse me, I promised Father a discussion on the estate.”

  “Of course, dear. Kathleen and I can gossip on the new play hitting the theater this week.”

  “I have already extended them an invitation for opening night.”

  “Excellent, you think of everything, Devon.”

  “Enjoy your talk and I will visit with you ladies at a later time.”

  When Devon left, Kathleen felt rejected. Not once through the afternoon did he even acknowledge her, unless you count the stare he regarded her with. She'd expected something from him after the kiss at the Camville Ball. But Devon Holdenburg had disappointed Kathleen yet again.

  Soon the duchess and Kathleen held a deep discussion on which actors would be in the play. Her Grace had gained access to watch a dress rehearsal and regaled Kathleen with the set designs and costumes. They laughed over the ridiculous decisions the writer demanded and awed over the choices in the actors for the play. The director had chosen her favorite actress, Scarlet Nightengale, for the lead. The duchess promised Kathleen an introduction on opening night. With her donations to the playhouse, they gave her access to the backstage.

  When they finished their discussion, talk turned to their charity work. Kathleen excused herself with a request to walk in the gardens. Opening the French doors, Kathleen strolled outside into the beautiful day. The full blooms beckoned to help calm her soul. Kathleen walked along the gravel path, bending to smell the flowers when she came upon them. Following the walkway, she located a bench and sat upon it, lifting her face to the warmth of the sun. Kathleen relaxed, gathering her scattered emotions under control.

  DEVON’S DISTRACTION came into his sight. Once he saw Kathleen walk into the garden, he lost all track of his father’s conversation. His father again lectured him on his need to secure a bride. Ever since Rory wed Lady Dallis MacPherson, his father became more demanding for Devon to settle. Once his father discovered Devon courted the lovely Dallis, but failed to secure her as a bride, Devon had endured many such lectures. Dallis carried a wealthy dowry that would have added to their fortune. Not that they needed money. They were as rich as Croesus. But to his father, their current finances were never enough. The duke wanted the family’s wealth secure for generations to come. His father thought him a wastrel, believing the rumors of his gambling and whoring. Who was Devon to correct his father? His mother, on the other hand, knew of his true nature. Plus, she was a mother. Devon could do no wrong in the duchess’s eyes.

  However, the lady walking through the gardens thought everything he did was wrong. Devon had acted like a fool last night. What prompted him to behave in that nature still confused him. When Kathleen arrived today, she kept her distance, her gaze skittish, and the hurt in her eyes tore at his soul. Devon caused Kathleen’s pain. However, he couldn’t apologize, because then he would give away the knowledge that he knew it was her and not Scarlet.

  “You could do worse. In fact, she is your mother and I’s first choice. She would make a lovely addition to our family.”

  “You forget, Father, she would bring no coin to add to our coffers,” Devon replied sarcastically.

  The intention to antagonize his father failed. All he received was his father’s laughter and a slap on the back.

  “She would bring more than money to the table, my boy. But then I think you already realize that. You hold the same look I held for your mother when I courted her.”

  “Your eyesight is failing in your old age, Father. You speak rubbish.”

  “Do I?”

  “Humph.”

  Devon ignored his father’s amusement to return his attention on Kathleen. Devon wanted to join her, but he noticed a sense of calm settle over her and didn’t want to interrupt Kathleen’s peace of mind. His father continued to bait him, taunting him with Kathleen’s beauty and keen sense of mind. If his father meant to bombard Devon with Kathleen’s many amazing attributes, then he might as well step into the garden and disturb her.

  Devon slipped out the door and walked along the grass pathway leading to the bench. He didn’t want to scare Kathleen away before he even had the chance to approach her. Kathleen’s head tilted back, the sun bathing her beauty. When Devon stood above her, he cast a shadow. Kathleen pierced him with a look, leaving him speechless and humbled to be in her presence. She smiled at him, the kind of smile which the other chits from this afternoon gave him. Devon should be wary of her sudden change of attitude, but it was a beautiful sight. It lit her face with a grace only Kathleen could pull off. Then when her smile carried to the secretive twinkle in her eye that he always wondered about, Devon caught his breath. Kathleen only ever gifted those close to her with this smile. Devon should know, he envied the lucky bastards. Mostly her family, but still, Devon had always craved for Kathleen to bestow one on h
im, just once. Finally, she gave him one.

  Kathleen decided, while she rested in the garden, to come to terms with the emotions Devon stirred in her soul. If she explored her feelings with him as Kathleen and Scarlet, she could gain knowledge to his true character. After talking with his mother today, she reached an understanding that their families wished for them to marry. If Kathleen were to object, then she would draw attention her way. But if Kathleen were to encourage Devon’s courtship, then she could destroy him as Scarlet. Either way, she would make him suffer. What better solution than to make her own terms than to have her mother’s agenda forced onto Kathleen. Her family was unaware of a secret that the duchess kept as her own secret. Kathleen had private acting lessons when she was younger. She would take those lessons and apply them to her life. Kathleen would fool everybody into thinking she accepted Devon’s courtship.

  Kathleen slid over on the bench and patted the space next to her. She dazzled Devon with the smile she used on her family to gain her way. When Devon returned her smile with one of relief, Kathleen knew he fell for her tactics.

  “Your mother has a beautiful garden.”

  Devon laughed. “You know my mother has no interest in flowers. Her only love is the theater. My father is the one who toils with the garden’s beauty.”

  “His Grace?”

  “Yes, but it is a highly kept secret. Your very life is now in danger with your knowledge of this information,” Devon whispered.

  This was the Devon she fell in love with all those years ago when she was a young girl. The one who was playful and kind. The one who used to convince Rory not to torment her.

  “I will not tell a soul.” She pretended to turn a key on her lips and toss it behind her.

  Devon grabbed her hand before she tossed the pretend key away and continued to play by slipping it from her fingers and sliding it inside his suit coat.