A Deceptive Wager Read online

  As the butler left Aaron’s bedchamber, Miss Britcher called out, “Aren’t you going to clean the room?”

  The butler took a glance at it and shrugged. “Everything seems to be in order to me.” Then, with a spark of mirth in his eyes, he closed the door behind him as he stepped into the hall.

  Kitty felt herself relax. It was nice to know that, besides Michael Stonewall, she had an ally in this townhouse.

  ***

  “This isn’t funny,” Aaron said as he faced the two giggling maids in his bedchamber. “I can’t salvage those shirts my wife threw out the window. Those must be disposed of at once. My bedding, however, can be saved. I demand you wash everything.” He paused. “And stop laughing.”

  The maids hurried over to the bed and started removing the bedding Kitty had soiled while in the room. Aaron couldn’t believe Kitty could be so childish. Imagine someone who considered herself all grown up acting like that. And leaving such a ridiculous note. As if he would have any lady in this bed! He went to the dresser, picked the parchment up, and ripped it into pieces.

  One of the maids stopped as she was removing a blanket. She jabbed the other maid in the side, and when the maid looked down at what the first maid was pointing to, she burst out laughing.

  With a grunt, Aaron demanded, “What is it?”

  The second maid lifted a yellow gown and showed it to him. “It seems that someone left this for you.”

  His face grew hot. “That wasn’t left for me.”

  “Then why is it in your bed?” Mr. Stonewall, who’d been quiet up to now, asked.

  The maids chuckled, and one threw the gown at Aaron.

  Aaron caught it without thinking. Then, realizing what he was holding, he let out a shriek and dropped it, an action which earned him the laughter of everyone else in the room.

  How dare Kitty do this to him? “No more laughing! That’s enough. All of you! I demand you pay me the respect I deserve.”

  Though they seemed to make an effort to obey him, he caught a chuckle from one of the maids.

  Turning to her, he gestured to the bed. “Wash the bedding. Now!”

  He marched out of his room and strode down the stairs. Ignoring Mr. Stonewall, who was struggling to catch up to him, he went to the drawing room. Good. Kitty was still there. A seamstress was taking her measurements.

  “I want her first dress to be ready this evening,” Miss Britcher was telling the seamstress. “She must have something to wear tomorrow.”

  Miss Britcher stopped talking when she noticed Aaron. If Kitty noticed him, she didn’t give any indication of it. The seamstress, however, paused to offer him a greeting.

  “Miss Britcher,” he said, “I want to have a word with you.”

  At that, Kitty’s eyebrows rose.

  “I’m not ready to talk to you yet,” he snapped at her. “I’m much too upset.”

  Kitty put her hands on her hips. “You’re upset? I’m not the one with a love letter on my pillow.”

  He scowled at her. “Miss Britcher, follow me to another room.”

  He started to head out of the drawing room when Kitty said, “You can’t speak with her in private. For all I know, you’re going to have a rendezvous with her.”

  Both he and Miss Britcher gasped in horror.

  Kitty turned her gaze to Miss Britcher. “How do I know there’s nothing going on between you two? For all I know, you could be sneaking off to do something wrong.”

  Though Aaron would never do anything with someone as plain and dull as Miss Britcher, Miss Britcher was the one who said, “That’s the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard. Lord Northton isn’t the least bit appealing.”

  His jaw dropped. How could she say such a thing?

  “At least you and I finally have something in common,” Kitty told her. “I happen to agree with you.”

  Aaron glared at Kitty.

  The maids, who happened to be going past the room at this point with their arms full of blankets and sheets to wash, giggled. Just as Aaron was ready to yell at them to stop snooping in on other people’s conversations, they hurried off down the hall. He groaned. Good help was hard to find.

  “Lady Northton is welcome to be in the room,” Miss Britcher said. “I have nothing to hide.”

  Aaron glanced over at Mr. Stonewall. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw the gentleman smirk at him. After a moment, he decided there was no point in admonishing Miss Britcher for allowing Kitty into his bedchamber. He would just have the footman install a lock. Then Kitty wouldn’t be able to get back in.

  With a huff, he stormed out of the room. Mr. Stonewall, naturally, followed him. Well, there was only one place he could go to that would be free of his chaperone. He’d return to White’s. Sure, he’d been there earlier that day, but there was no rule against a gentleman going back. After he gave his instructions to the footman, he hurried out of the townhouse.

  Chapter Ten

  “That’s an interesting choice of clothing to wear,” Lilly said the next day when Kitty entered her drawing room. “Are you getting ready for cooler weather?”

  Kitty trudged over to the chair next to Emilia. The somber gray dress practically swallowed her up. It covered her entire body except for her face. The neckline reached her chin, and the fabric felt like it was choking her. She shifted the many layers of petticoats under the heavy material then sat down. She let out an exhausted sigh.

  “This thing is awful,” Kitty said. “I don’t know how Miss Britcher wears these things every day.”

  Lilly’s eyes grew wide. “Aaron is making you wear Miss Britcher’s clothes?”

  “No, this dress is mine.” Kitty rolled her eyes. “I have four more like it being made. I get a new one each day. All of them just as drab and uncomfortable as this monstrosity.”

  “Why is Aaron having you wear such a horrible thing?” Emilia asked. “Is he that upset with you for having Benjamin’s uncle chaperone him?”

  “That does upset him,” Kitty replied. “But that’s not why he’s making me wear this oppressive thing. He’s making me wear this because he thinks my gowns are cut too low.”

  Emilia’s eyebrows furrowed. “Too low? They’re no different than any other gowns ladies wear.”

  “I know, but apparently, when I wear gowns like that, I’m making an attempt to seduce him,” Kitty said. “Have you heard of anything more ridiculous?”

  Lilly let out a chuckle. “It seems like Aaron’s attracted to you and is blaming you for it.”

  “Oh, certainly that can’t be,” Emilia replied. Then, after a moment, she turned her gaze back to Lilly. “Can it?”

  “Of course, it is,” Lilly said with a smirk. “Kitty may have a quiet beauty, but it’s one that a gentleman notices. And she’s blessed with a splendid figure. It’s in the shape of an hourglass. I recall overhearing the butler saying that’s why he couldn’t resist a secret tryst with the maid.”

  Emilia’s eyes grew wide. “Your butler is having trysts with one of your maids? Right here in this townhouse?”

  “No,” Lilly hurried to say. “Not the butler at this townhouse. It was the butler my parents had. When my parents found out, the butler and maid were forced to marry by her father, and they went off to live elsewhere. I don’t know what became of them. I was only fourteen at the time.”

  Emilia shook her head. “You are one for scandal, Lilly. Imagine you eavesdropping at fourteen!”

  Lilly shrugged. “I was curious about what servants talked about when they were alone. I used to think they gossiped about the people they worked for, but it turns out we bore them to tears.”

  “I doubt any of them find you boring,” Emilia said. “You did trick Roger into marrying you. They must have found that quite exciting.”

  “For a brief time, I’m sure it was, but I doubt we’re worth mentioning anymore.” Lilly glanced at Kitty and chuckled. “I bet Aaron and Kitty are much more exciting.”

  Kitty grimaced. “I don’t want to be
exciting. I just want to live my life without a husband who assumes I’m running off with a lover every day so he makes me wear things like this.” She gestured to her dress that was, even now, threatening to choke the life out of her. “I can barely breathe in this thing.”

  “I feel sorry for you,” Emilia said. “No lady should be subjected to the kind of things you are.”

  “No lady should be,” Lilly agreed. “It’s Aaron’s fault he doesn’t trust ladies. I don’t care what his mother did. He shouldn’t put her sins onto you,” she told Kitty.

  “I wish I knew what I could make him wear so that he’s as uncomfortable as I am, but gentlemen are already fully covered,” Kitty said. “The best I could do was toss out the red and purple shirts he had.”

  “You did that?” Emilia asked in surprise.

  Kitty nodded. “I was so upset when I found out that I was going to have to wear these kinds of dresses and take lessons on how to act appropriately that I went to his bedchamber to confront him. He wasn’t there, so I created a mess and then threw the red and purple shirts out the window.”

  Lilly and Emilia burst out laughing. “I bet that was quite a sight,” Lilly said. “I can’t recall ever seeing you behave like that.”

  “Me neither,” Emilia added. “You’ve always been so docile in the past. He must bring out the worst in you.”

  “He does.” Kitty sighed. “It did no good. I still have to learn to walk and bend correctly. As if there’s a proper way to do such things.”

  “I’m relieved I ended up with Benjamin,” Emilia replied. “He would never put me through something like that.”

  Lilly tapped her chin then, after a long moment, said, “You might not be able to get Aaron to wear anything that will make him uncomfortable, but you can have his chaperone give him lessons on how to conduct himself.”

  Ears perking up, Kitty asked, “What kind of lessons?”

  “Well, he’s the one who is blaming you for trying to seduce him,” Lilly began, “so I would blame him for looking at ladies with lust. If he’s noticing the way you walk and bend, he isn’t paying attention to your face. He’s too busy looking at your body. He needs to be taught how to focus on a lady’s face, especially her eyes.”

  “I like that,” Emilia said. “If you catch his gaze going anywhere but your face, you need to mention it.”

  “And the fact that he even mentions the way you walk or bend is inappropriate, too,” Lilly added. “You have to let him know that such talk won’t be tolerated. You are not there to give him pleasure. Your only obligation is to give him an heir, and your duty is to make sure he doesn’t enjoy it since he insists you be a complete wallflower.”

  “I doubt he’ll enjoy it,” Kitty said.

  “All gentlemen enjoy the process of trying for an heir,” Lilly replied. “Aaron has the same part every other gentleman does, and that part compels them to try for a child.” She rubbed her belly. “Children aren’t delivered on your doorstep. They have to be created.”

  “It’s fun for ladies to create them, too,” Emilia told Lilly.

  The two giggled, but Kitty had no idea what was so amusing. She doubted she was going to have any fun. Nothing with Aaron was ever fun. But she did like her friends’ suggestions. Yes, it was time she gave Michael further instructions on what to do with Aaron.

  Emilia’s attention went back to Kitty. “I hope you give him what he deserves. Michael will help you out in any way he can.”

  “I know,” Kitty replied. “Michael has been a godsend. I’m so glad your husband convinced him to do this.”

  “He didn’t convince him of anything,” Emilia said. “Michael was eager to help you out as soon as Benjamin explained what was happening to you. He said Aaron needed to learn the error of his ways.”

  “Do let us know how things go this evening when you notify Aaron that he, too, will receive instructions,” Lilly told Kitty. “I can’t wait to find out what happens.”

  “I can’t, either,” Emilia agreed, not hiding her excitement. “I wish I was in that townhouse so I could witness it for myself, but hearing about it is almost as good.”

  “It’s the best we can do,” Lilly said. “I’m in no condition to sneak into a person’s townhouse to eavesdrop on them.”

  “Oh, you two wouldn’t want to witness how things are between me and my husband,” Kitty assured them. “All we do is bicker. It’s a very unpleasant situation. I hate it every time he enters the room. I just know nothing good will come from being near him.”

  A knock came at the door, and Lilly called out for the person to enter.

  The door opened, and Miss Britcher’s head poked in. Kitty frowned. Shouldn’t the old coot be in the carriage outside?

  “Pardon me for interrupting,” Miss Britcher said, “but I’ve been notified that a family member needs my attention. I am unable to go to her unless Lady Northton is with me.”

  Kitty’s eyes widened in surprise. Miss Britcher had a family? Her curiosity piqued, Kitty nodded and rose to her feet.

  Lilly and Emilia walked with her to the entryway. Kitty couldn’t help but notice that Miss Britcher’s stride was a little faster than usual.

  “Will you come by tomorrow?” Lilly asked Kitty.

  “I’ll be here the same time that I came today,” Kitty assured her.

  “Good.” Lilly smiled. “I don’t want to miss a thing.”

  “I don’t, either,” Emilia added.

  Kitty glanced at Miss Britcher to see if those words would pique her interest, but Miss Britcher didn’t give any indication she’d even heard them. That was strange. Such comments should have aroused the lady’s attention. The issue with her family must be serious.

  The footman went to the door and opened it just as Aaron, followed by Michael, made it to the top step.

  “What are you doing here?” Kitty asked. “Are you going to demand that you sit on the conversations I have with my friends?”

  Aaron looked appalled. Then he looked upset. “I don’t care what you or your silly friends are up to. I came by to see my friend. Mr. Morris happens to live here, too.”

  “My husband is in the library reading a book,” Lilly told him.

  Aaron nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Your gaze needs to go higher, my lord,” Emilia spoke up.

  Not sure what she was getting at, Kitty glanced at her friend.

  Aaron, who also seemed unaware of what she meant, directed his attention to her. “Pardon me?”

  “The eyes, my lord,” Emilia said and gestured to Lilly’s face. “Your eyes should go to her face. It’s most inappropriate it was lower.”

  Aaron’s face turned red. “I was only looking at her belly. My friend had mentioned she was with child, but I didn’t realize she was that far along.”

  Emilia clucked her tongue. “It’s wrong to lie. Your gaze was a bit higher.” She patted Kitty on the shoulder. “It’s no wonder you want your wife to dress like she’s headed for the nunnery. You have trouble restraining your lust.”

  “Now that I think about it, he did make me feel uncomfortable,” Lilly said. She shot him a scolding look. “Shame on you, Lord Northton.”

  Playing along, Kitty crossed her arms. “Mr. Stonewall, I’m glad you’re here to make him mind his hands. It’s bad enough knowing his gaze is prone to wander.”

  “My gaze wasn’t wandering,” Aaron snapped. “The lot of you are just being difficult.”

  “Isn’t it just like a gentleman to blame a lady for his lack of control?” Emilia murmured to Kitty and Lilly.

  “What was that?” Aaron asked, turning a sharp gaze to her.

  “Be mindful of your eyes, my lord,” Emilia replied. “They do you no favors.”

  As much as Kitty was enjoying what her friends were doing, she noted the way Miss Britcher was anxiously fidgeting. Even if she didn’t like the lady, she didn’t want to watch her suffer.

  “We will have a discussion about your lustful appetites later,” Kitty to
ld Aaron. “Right now, my chaperone and I have somewhere important to be.” She bid her friends a farewell then hurried out of the townhouse.

  ***

  Aaron waited until Kitty and Miss Britcher were gone before he turned his gaze back to the two misfits who had dared to accuse him—of all people!—of looking at them inappropriately. Like he had any desire to be with any of them. “I assure you that my interest only had to do with Roger’s son or daughter,” he said once he could trust his voice to be calm. “You shouldn’t fill your friend’s head with ideas.”

  “You’re the one who has her chaperoned all the time and covering all of herself,” Emilia said.

  “It’s for her own good,” he replied.

  “It is not for her own good,” she argued. “She’s miserable. She didn’t even want to get married. She was sure her life would be over if she did, and all you’ve done is prove her right.”

  “I know you’re my husband’s friend,” Lilly inserted, “and I know you didn’t want to be married, either, but what good is it to make her miserable? Why must you have her with a chaperone and dictate the way she dresses?”

  “All of that will keep her out of trouble,” Aaron explained, though why he was doing so was beyond him. Ladies were impossible to reason with. “Maybe your husbands don’t mind it if you take lovers, but I mind it if my wife does.” Ignoring the indignant expressions on their faces, he turned to the footman whom he’d seen many times in the past whenever he came here. “I believe Mrs. Morris mentioned something about my friend being in the library.”

  The footman nodded and waved for him to follow him. “Right this way, Lord Northton.”

  Aaron resisted the urge to glare at the two meddlers as they whispered to each other before he headed down the familiar hallway. Leave it to ladies to make a gentleman’s life difficult.

  When they reached the doorway of the library, Aaron turned to Mr. Stonewall. He waited until the footman left to speak. “It’s not any different than White’s. I’m only going to talk to my friend. I’m not going to do anything inappropriate with a lady.” He gestured to Roger who was rising from his chair. “He is the only one in there. You may talk to him if you want to make sure there are no ladies hiding anywhere.”