Then Came You (The Gamblers #1)(27)

“No, it was wonderful,” Penelope exclaimed, and then looked shamefaced. “I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what is the matter with me! I’m so confused about everything.”

“It’s because you’ve always obeyed Mother and Father, and done what’s expected of you. Penny, you’ve never done a selfish thing in your life. You’re in love with Zachary, but you’re sacrificing yourself for the sake of duty.”

Penelope sat on the bed and lowered her face. “It doesn’t matter whom I’m in love with.”

“Your happiness is the only thing that matters! Why are you so upset? Has something happened?”

“Lord Raiford took me aside this afternoon,” Penelope said dully. “After we returned from the carriage drive.”

Lily’s gaze sharpened. “What? What did he say?”

“He asked questions…and he implied that Zachary is not really your suitor. That Zachary is behaving dishonorably in trying to court me by pretending an interest in my sister.”

“How dare he say such a thing?” Lily demanded in instant fury.

“It is true,” Penelope said miserably. “You know it is.”

“Of course it is—I’m the one who thought of the plan in the first place!”

“I thought so.”

“But how dare he insult us by making such an accusation!”

“Lord Raiford said that if Zachary had once been intent on marrying a girl like me, he would never want to marry one like you.”

Lily’s frown deepened. “One like me?”

“ ‘Seasoned’ was the word he used,” Penelope said uncomfortably.

“Seasoned?” Lily paced around the room like a tigress. “I suppose he doesn’t think I’m desirable enough to catch a husband,” she fumed. “Well, other men find me quite attractive, men who have more than ice water running through their veins. Oh, he’s a fine one to criticize when he’s got more faults than I have time to list! Well, I’m going to fix everything, and by the time I’m through—”

“Lily, please,” Penelope entreated in a small voice. “All this trouble distresses me terribly. Can’t we let things be?”

“Certainly. After I bring his lordship some much-needed enlightenment!”

“No!” Penelope held a hand to her forehead, as if the situation were too much for her to bear. “You must not make Lord Raiford angry! I would be afraid for all of us!”

“Did he threaten you?” It was fortunate that Penelope could not see Lily’s eyes, for there was a vengeful glow in them that would have frightened her.

“N-not precisely, no. But he is such a powerful man, a-and I don’t think he would tolerate any sort of betrayal…he is not a man to be crossed!”

“Penny, if Zachary asked you to—”

“No,” Penelope said quickly, tears springing to her eyes. “No, we must not discuss this any further! I won’t listen…I can’t!”

“All right,” Lily soothed. “No more talking tonight. Don’t cry. Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”

Alex strode rapidly down the grand staircase. He was dressed in traveling clothes—a coat of fine blended wool, a tan poplin waistcoat, and cotton trousers. In response to a message he had received from a carrier the day before, it was necessary for him to travel to London. His youngest brother Henry was being expelled from Westfield.

Feeling equal parts of anger and concern, Alex wondered what incident had prompted the expulsion. Henry had always been an energetic boy, full of mischief, but possessed of a good-natured disposition. There had been no explanation in the short note from Westfield’s headmaster, only that boy was no longer welcome at the school.

Alex sighed heavily, thinking that he hadn’t given the boy enough guidance. Whenever it had come time for discipline, he’d never had the heart to punish Henry for his misdeeds. Henry had been so young when his parents had died. Alex had been more of a father than a brother to Henry. He wondered if he had done well by the boy. Guiltily Alex thought that he should have married years ago in order to provide a kind, maternal woman in Henry’s life.

Alex’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a small figure clad in a nightgown, hurrying up the staircase. Lily again, scampering through the house in next to nothing. He paused and watched her hasty ascent.

Suddenly she noticed him and stopped a few steps away. Looking up into his stern face, she groaned and held a hand to her head. “Let’s just ignore this, shall we?”

“No, Miss Lawson,” Alex said in a grating voice. “I want an explanation of where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing.”

“You won’t get one,” she mumbled.

Alex contemplated her silently. It was possible she had been telling the truth before, that she was indeed involved in a tête à tête with one of the servants. She had the appearance of it—dressed in a nightgown, barefooted, her face haggard, and her eyes dark-circled as if she were exhausted after a night of debauchery. He didn’t know why the thought enraged him. Usually he didn’t give a damn what others did, so long as they didn’t inconvenience him. All he was conscious of was a bitter taste in his mouth.

“The next time this happens,” he said coldly, “I’ll pack your bags personally. In London a lack of morality is something to be admired—but it won’t be tolerated here.”