My Once and Future Duke (The Wagers of Sin #1)(70)

Her friend’s cheeks grew even pinker. “He does. Papa approves. And—-and Papa hinted that His Lordship has spoken to him about me. Sophie . . . I think he’s going to propose!”

Sophie clapped her hands together, beaming helplessly at Eliza’s joy. “Oh Eliza—-how thrilling! But wait—-you’ve not said his name! Who is to be my almost brother--in--law?” she teased.

“Oh!” Eliza laughed, blushing at her own omission. “How could I forget? Hugh Deveraux, Earl of Hastings,” she recited, each word soft with love.

Sophie blinked in surprise. “Indeed,” she said after a pause. “The Earl of Hastings?”

“Yes.” Eliza’s green eyes grew dreamy at the mention of his name.

Colleen brought in the refreshments then, giving Sophie a welcome moment to think as she poured the tea and offered her friend some cake. She knew that name. Lord Hastings was often at Vega’s. He was handsome and genial, but Sophie had never sat at a table with him because he played for far higher stakes than she dared attempt. She knew nothing else about him, but it put her on guard.

But surely Mr. Cross did. Edward Cross always seemed to know everything about everyone, and there was no way he would allow a reckless gambler, let alone a ramshackle fortune hunter, to spend a minute alone with his daughter. Mr. Cross wanted nothing but the best for Eliza, even to the point of helping her friends. He’d taken in Sophie with open arms when Eliza invited her to their home at holidays; he’d vouched for her when she applied to Vega’s. Sophie knew he’d even looked the other way when Eliza urged her to take all her pin money, in the threadbare days when she’d first come to London. The man missed nothing.

Lord Hastings must be perfectly acceptable then, despite the whispers Sophie had heard about large losses. The earl didn’t look like a man in dire straits, and he certainly didn’t act like one. Mr. Dashwood would have revoked his membership if he lost more than he could afford, which must mean he was well able to afford any losses. Or perhaps he won a great deal.

Thank heavens; she’d never seen Eliza so excited and happy about a suitor. That was the main point here, and she was happy to return to it. “I suppose your father gave his blessing.”

Eliza laughed. “Of course he did. Lord Hastings invited me to call at Hastings House, and presented me to his mother the countess. She was so kind and gracious. I’ve not met his sisters yet, but . . .” She shook her head, her face glowing with happiness. “I never knew my mother,” she added softly. “To fall in love with a gentleman, and gain not only a husband but a mother and sisters . . . Could I truly be so lucky?”

Sophie squashed her doubts. “Of course you could! Of course you should be. You’re quite the kindest person I know, Eliza, and Lord Hastings is the lucky one if you’ve fallen in love with him.”

The other girl wrinkled her nose and laughed again. “I can only hope he agrees! Oh Sophie, I wish you could be so lucky too, to find someone to love.”

“Pssh! Luck is a myth,” Sophie said with a slightly forced laugh.

Something in her face must have given her away, for Eliza’s smile dimmed. “What’s happened?”

She sipped her tea and glanced at the windows. “Nothing! But where is Georgiana? She’s extraordinarily late, even for her. Have you told her about Hastings?”

“Oh.” Eliza went still. “I—-I forgot. Georgiana won’t be able to join us today, but she does send her best regards.”

“No? Is she ill, or . . . ?” Sophie’s voice died away as she took in Eliza’s clenched hands and unblinking expression. Her spirits deflated as she guessed what had kept Georgiana from calling. “She isn’t allowed to come, is she? Lady Sidlow won’t let her.”

Eliza rolled her eyes. “Lady Sidlow won’t let her attend Astley’s for fear it’s too stimulating. She had an appointment with the modiste, or some such thing. She sent me a note yesterday and asked me to tell you when I arrived . . .”

“Eliza.” Sophie waited. “You don’t have to lie.”

The other girl pursed her lips and looked out the window for a moment. “No, Lady Sidlow won’t let her come,” she said at last. “Now that they’re making plans for the wedding at long last, Lady Sidlow says she must be far more vigilant about anything that might offend Lord Sterling or anger Lord Wakefield. But Sterling loves her. He knows you are her friend, and he’s never once objected. And it’s not as if his soul is noble and pure! He gambles too, and he used to go to immoral houses from time to time—-” She blushed as Sophie gaped at her. “Papa said so. He adores Georgiana, you know that, and he wanted to be certain Sterling was a good match for her. He had someone look up the viscount.”

Sophie shifted uncomfortably at the reminder that Mr. Cross didn’t merely know things, he investigated people. Which meant that he would hear about the slightest misstep she made with Jack.

“Lady Sidlow’s a strict old crow!” exclaimed Eliza, mistaking the reason for Sophie’s silence. “Georgiana ranted at some length about her in the letter she sent me. She thinks it’s a lot of rubbish, as if Wakefield would care now, when he’s never cared tuppence before for anything she’s done. You’ve been making wagers at Vega’s for years, and Wakefield never said a word to prohibit Georgiana from calling on you.”