The Earl's Secret Bargain Read online

  Chapter Thirteen

  Toby stared out the window in the townhouse he rented. God knew he couldn’t afford to buy one, though now that he was going to marry Regina, he could. At the moment, he felt it was enough to use the money her father had given him to hire a staff to clean up his estate. The last thing he wanted was for her to cry in despair at how much work it needed.

  He’d been honest with her father, letting him know his financial position. Even if his father’s reckless spending got him in this predicament, he didn’t mention it. He could easily shift the blame, but he didn’t feel like it. His father had made horrible wagers and lost them, and Toby couldn’t say he was any better. Maybe it was selfish, but he would have made the wager all over again just for the chance to meet Regina. He wouldn’t have sought her out otherwise.

  Focusing on the street in front of him, he saw his friend coming up the front steps. Turning from the window, he headed for the door, only remembering that he now had a footman by the time he reached it.

  The footman was opening the door just as Toby reached the entryway.

  “Did you come over for a drink?” Toby asked his friend as he led him to the drawing room.

  “No. I’ve had enough of brandy for a while. My head is still pounding from all the drink I had at Toplyn’s ball.”

  Despite his grim mood, Toby chuckled. “I can’t remember seeing you drunk.”

  Sitting, Orlando rested his head on the back of the chair and let out a long sigh. “Nor will you ever again. It wasn’t worth it. I woke up feeling worse than I did before I took my first drink.”

  Toby sat across from him and crossed his arms. “I’d say things didn’t work out the way either one of us hoped.”

  “Well, they say misery loves company.” He arched an eyebrow and glanced over at him. “I didn’t see you at White’s. In fact, no one has seen you there since the day the wager was announced in the Tittletattle.”

  “I see no reason to subject myself to further embarrassment.”

  “I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to go back there either. But Pennella’s there.”

  “What’s he doing now? Trying to enact another wager?”

  “Nope. He’s trying to figure out who exposed the one you two had. So far, he’s been threatening Roderick and Edon within an inch of their lives if he finds out they’re behind it.”

  Toby shook his head. “He needs to let the matter go. It doesn’t matter how anyone found out.” What mattered was that it hurt Regina.

  “That’s the difference between you and Pennella. You’re worried about her, and he’s worried about himself.”

  The butler came in with a tray of tea and scones.

  Toby waited until the butler left before he turned his gaze back to his friend. “She hates me.”

  “I’m sure she won’t hate you forever.”

  “That’s what her father says, but she won’t see me. I went over there three times, but each time, she’s either resting or out.”

  “You can’t expect her to come around right away.” Orlando picked up the teapot and poured tea into their cups. “I think it’s normal to expect a period where she’ll avoid you. In a way, it’s a compliment.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure.” He handed Toby the cup then picked up his own. “It means she cares for you. If she didn’t care, she wouldn’t react as strongly as she is.”

  “I don’t know. Anyone would be angry over this.”

  Orlando sipped some tea then picked up a scone. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe she never cared about you. Maybe she only wanted you for your title.”

  “She did care,” Toby quickly replied before realizing his friend had been baiting him. “I get your point. I suppose you’re right. The wager hurt even more because she did want to marry me.”

  “Right. I guarantee you that she’s more upset with you than Pennella, and he’s the one who instigated it.”

  “Maybe, but I didn’t have to go along with it. I should have refused to play his game.”

  Orlando bit into the scone and swallowed. “These are good.” He inspected it as if not believing the scone could taste so good.

  “The butler is no longer acting as my cook,” Toby explained.

  “That’s a relief.”

  “I’m sure he’s as glad as you are about it.”

  “Probably.” Then he shot him an amused glance. “You know I’m your friend because I was willing to eat the ones he used to make.”

  Toby chuckled. “Yes, I know. And you drank the tea.”

  “I am a true martyr. I sacrifice so much for my friends.”

  Feeling a little better, Toby drank some tea. “Are you going to be at my wedding?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” He finished the scone and sat back in the chair. “At least you’ll get to marry her. Sure, things are bound to be shaky at first, but in time, things will work out.”

  Toby could only hope his friend was right, though he still didn’t see how he could make amends for what he’d done.

  “It’s better than not having a chance,” Orlando added, his tone turning serious. “I just found out that Miss Boyle married Lord Hawkins.”

  “Lord Hawkins?” Toby barely recalled the name but didn’t remember where he’d heard it.

  “He does a lot of travel to other countries and is wealthier than most. Compared to him, I never had a chance.” He drank his tea and set the cup on his knee. “I offered her father my hand to her in marriage, but he said he was considering all her suitors. Now I know why I never heard a response.”

  “I didn’t know you asked for her hand.”

  “What’s the point? He didn’t accept it. He accepted Lord Hawkins’ request instead.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It is what it is. He who has the most money gets the lady.” When Toby raised his eyebrows, he amended, “For some of us. Others get her by chance or scandal.”

  “While I hate to agree with you, it fits.” After a long moment of silence passed between them, Toby asked, “Want to play some chess?”

  “Why not? I haven’t played it for a while. It might be fun.”

  “At least it’ll take our mind off our troubles.”

  Waving his friend to join him, Toby went over to the table where the chessboard waited for them.

  ***

  “Will you please see Toby?” Regina’s father asked a few days later.

  “I’ll see him tomorrow,” Regina replied as she worked on her embroidery.

  It wasn’t that she was particularly fond of making pretty patterns with a thread and needle, but she needed something to do with her time or she’d get restless. The closer she got to the wedding, the more nervous she became. And embroidery helped take her mind off her doubts.

  Her father crossed the drawing room and settled in front of the settee where she sat. “Regina, you can’t avoid him forever.”

  “The wedding is tomorrow. I’ll see him then.”

  “Be reasonable. He’s your betrothed. You can’t treat him like this.”

  She shot him a pointed look. “He didn’t mind treating me like a pawn for another gentleman’s estate.”

  “Sometimes people do things in a moment of weakness, but really, it could have been worse. He could have taken your virtue and left you with child, or he could have made you his mistress. But he didn’t do that. He’s trying to do right by you.”

  “I didn’t realize you considered him such a hero.”

  “He’s not a bad gentleman, and if you give him a chance, you’ll realize that. Now,” he rose to his feet, “I insist you see him.”

  “You what?” she asked, alarmed.

  “You’re my daughter, and you’re not married yet. I still have some authority over you, and I’m using it this last time. That poor gentleman has been here to see you every day since you agreed to marry him. The least you can do is spend a little of your time with him.”

  Before she could respond, he was alread
y on his way to the door. She scanned the room, wondering if there was a suitable hiding place, but alas, there was none, and all she could do was wait as her father welcomed Toby into the townhouse. It took all her willpower to remain seated as Toby entered the room, his hands behind his back.

  Even after the betrayal, he could still make her heartbeat quicken at the mere sight of him. It was unfair. If she didn’t love him, it’d be much easier to do this.

  “Thank you for seeing me,” he said as he approached her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought these for you.”

  Her gaze went to his hands as he showed her the flowers. They would have been a lovely gesture if not for the wager. “Thank you,” she forced out, fighting the tears that wanted to well up to the surface. He was only doing it because he felt guilty. It had nothing to do with his feelings for her.

  “I’ll get a vase for those, my lord,” the butler said.

  Toby handed him the flowers and waited until the butler left before asking, “May I sit?”

  Who was going to stop him? If she said no, her father would probably march into the room and demand she say yes. She nodded but didn’t say anything. Then, in case she gave her feelings away, she turned her gaze to the pattern she was sewing.

  After a moment, he sat next to her, something that made her squirm a bit. She hadn’t thought that being married to him would require her to be so close to him. It was silly, of course. They would have to be close. At the very least, they would sit together in a carriage. She didn’t know how she was supposed to do it. Maybe they could live in separate places. It might be the only way she was going to get through this marriage.

  “Words can’t begin to express how truly sorry I am,” he said, his voice low so no one would overhear. “I can hardly sleep or eat. I know I hurt you, and there’s nothing I can do to go back in time and change things. Believe me, I would if I could.”

  A long pause passed between them until she realized he was waiting for her reply. She didn’t know what he wanted her to say. Did he want her to lie and say it didn’t bother her? Did he want her to say she didn’t mind being used?

  The butler, thankfully, came in and set the flowers on the small table by the window. “I’ll be back with refreshments,” he said then hurried out of the room.

  She wondered if the butler sensed the tension in the room. He looked happy to get out of there. She wished she could leave. Clearing her throat, she pulled the needle through the fabric, all too aware that Toby was watching her. Releasing her breath, she finally chose an answer that seemed to do the least amount of damage. “There’s no sense in wishing for things that can’t be. Neither one of us has the power to change the past.”

  She didn’t look directly at him but sensed his frown. Whatever she said, she didn’t think she could make the situation any better. Her anger had slightly abated, but the despair of knowing she wouldn’t have the love match she craved had started to settle in, and that was harder to accept.

  “I’m sorry, Toby. I can’t pretend I’m happy with this,” she finally whispered.

  “I know. I don’t expect you to pretend. I just want a chance to make it up to you, to prove I’m not the kind of gentleman you think I am.”

  Could she do such a thing? What he was asking her seemed like an impossible task, especially when the wounds were still too fresh.

  The butler came in with a tray of tea and biscuits and set it on the table in front of them before he left.

  She made another attempt to pull the thread through the fabric but pricked her finger. Gritting her teeth, she willed herself not to give away her discomfort. She didn’t want Toby to pretend to be concerned about her. She rubbed her finger and thumb together and waited until the pain ebbed before she set the embroidery down.

  Even if she wasn’t thrilled to have him there, she should pour him the tea. “I have one request of you,” she said.

  “I’ll do anything you want.”

  “Tell me the truth. Don’t pretend to be something you aren’t.” She managed to get through the process of pouring tea without spilling it and handed him his cup. She left hers empty. There was no way she could drink anything right now, nor was she inclined to eat anything either. She motioned to the biscuits. “Help yourself.”

  Then she picked up her embroidery and started working on it again only because she needed something to do with her hands.

  He held the cup but didn’t drink the tea. Perhaps he was having trouble eating and drinking. He had mentioned something to that effect when he came in, but she couldn’t remember the details. It was hard to focus when he was in the same room.

  “Regina.” He leaned closer to her, and she stabbed her finger with the needle again. “I promise you that I won’t lie to you ever again. While I did make the wager with Lord Pennella, everything I said and did was who I really am.” When she shook her head, he added, “I know it’s going to take time to prove it. I don’t expect you to believe me yet.” He set the cup on the tray. “Thank you for seeing me. And for what it’s worth, I am glad we’re getting married.” He stood up and bowed. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  She watched as he left and almost wished he had stayed longer, but then she decided it was best he didn’t. Short and to the point. At least it gave her a pleasant memory. They still had a long way to go, but at least it was a start. Feeling a bit better, she finally had a cup of tea.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The next morning, Regina stood before the vicar in church. A special license afforded them a faster waiting period. Originally, Regina had protested it, not eager to be married to Toby so quickly, which was ironic considering just a week ago, she’d wanted nothing more than to be his wife. But her father felt it best to get married quietly. This way, the affair was simple and small. And given the whole scandal, she couldn’t fault his reasoning.

  The whole wedding seemed like a blur. She mumbled through the vows, her heart hammering in her chest the whole time. Even if it was just her parents, Toby, and his friend Orlando, the room seemed to be closing in on her. Was she making the worst mistake of her life? Would she have been better off living as a spinster? She glanced at her mother who probably thought it was at least good she might have a son who would one day be an earl. But quite frankly, Regina had no idea how she could be with Toby that way.

  Everything was happening much too fast. In some ways, it felt as if this was happening to someone else, and she was watching it all play out. She could barely be in the same room with him yesterday. How was she going to be in the same townhouse with him, let alone the same bed?

  Though she hadn’t felt up to it, her mother had insisted on the wedding breakfast, and given how small the whole affair was, there was no way she could run and hide. So when it came time to eat, she sat next to Toby. She forced down the food, not even tasting anything as she ate.

  Her father seemed to be the only one who was having a good time. He rambled on about his business dealings with men who took ships of supplies from one country to another, seeking profit. “Such investments can be tricky,” her father continued while eating his eggs with surprising gusto. “But I am a firm believer that the greater the risk, the bigger the reward. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is what I always tell my lovely wife and daughter.”

  Regina’s mother politely smiled then sipped her drink. Regina, however, couldn’t bring herself to even do that much. She was doing good not to bolt out the door and run off to a convent somewhere.

  Her father swallowed some wine then added, “Of course, I don’t put all my investments in one place. I might engage in a risk here and there, but I’m sensible, too. My wife would kill me if I wasn’t.”

  Orlando laughed, and Toby joined in, though Regina sensed Toby was trying to appear relaxed when he really wasn’t. His knuckles were white and his posture stiff, as if he was afraid of what was going to happen once they went to his townhouse. And Regina couldn’t blame him. She shared the same apprehension.

  “I alwa
ys heard a wise gentleman listens to his wife,” Orlando told her father.

  “It’s true. I listen to my darling flower often,” her father replied.

  Her father shot her mother a smile, and for the first time, it became clear to Regina that they actually loved each other.

  “Most of the time, I spend my money in safe ventures,” her father continued, either oblivious to the tension in the room or talking because of it. “I wanted to make sure my wife and daughter never had to want for anything. And,” he turned his gaze to Toby, “I couldn’t be happier that my daughter married so well.”

  Regina glanced at her mother who seemed as surprised as she felt that her father would come out and say such a thing. Maybe he saw something in Toby that neither she nor her mother did. But then, he was a gentleman, and maybe he thought wagers were perfectly fine, even ones with ladies who were stuck in the middle. Or maybe it was like her mother often told her: there was a secret code among gentlemen that said they had to stick together no matter what.

  Toby at least had the sense to look shocked by her father’s words, but he quickly recovered and murmured a thank you before he reached for his glass and drank from it.

  “Oh, that reminds me,” her father said, clapping his hands and shooting everyone an excited look. “I once invested money in a man who was going to Africa with a ship full of goods. To be honest, I had my doubts about him. He didn’t seem like he knew the seas very well. But,” he took another drink, “he knew his limitations. He didn’t take unnecessary risks. I find the hardest gentlemen to invest in are those who think they know it all. Those are the ones you need to watch out for.” He shook his fork at everyone and nodded, very satisfied with what he’d just said. “That’s what’s important, whether you are doing business or things of a more personal nature.”

  So that’s what her father liked about Toby. Toby wasn’t arrogant. And she supposed her father was right on that count. Even she didn’t get that sense about him. It was something that had attracted her to him initially. But what about the rest of him? What was he really like? Unfortunately, only time would answer that question.