Page 16 of Better Not Bet a Bluestocking (Ladies of Opportunity #3)

Still at Gunter’s Tea Shop

An impossibly uncomfortable heartbeat later

From the corner of his eye, Robyn caught sight of Mrs . Wynecott , wearing ruffled puce from head to toe and resembling an overripe plum, barreling toward them, a second before she trumpeted her arrival at the auditory expense of Gunter’s unfortunate and unsuspecting patrons.

So much for avoiding unpleasantness on their outing.

“ For shame, Mr . Fitzlloyd . Flaunting your mistress in public and in the company of your sister and Miss Thackerly’s as well.

It’s beyond the pale.” She plowed to a stop two feet from their table, her expression smug and superior, pure venom flashing in her eyes as she fanned her red, sweaty face.

Miss Twigg was nowhere to be seen.

Lucky her.

Several women, including Matilda , gasped, and a few pulled their skirts closer as if fearful of Georgine contaminating them.

Robyn did not doubt that every eye bore into them, and fury billowed within him.

Georgine froze with her spoon halfway to her mouth.

Shock and horror darkened her eyes to navy blue.

Regina’s jaw dropped, and her spoonful of lemon ice plopped onto the table, immediately melting into a sticky pool.

Robyn fisted his hands against the disturbing urge to grasp Mrs . Wynecott by her thick neck and shake her until all the feathers fell off her bonnet. Before he could give the cow the tongue-lashing she deserved, a familiar voice echoed over his shoulder.

“ Fitzlloyd , you old rascal. I heard you had taken a beautiful bride. I suppose we shall forgive you for not inviting us to the wedding. I cannot blame you for wanting to keep her to yourself. I was of the same mind when I wed.”

Maxwell , Duke of Pennington .

Robyn glanced behind him, delighted to see Pennington and several other peers. All leveled Mrs . Wynecott scathing glowers. ’ Twas a wonder she remained standing under their scornful scrutiny.

Never in his life had Robyn been more grateful for titled friends. He didn’t know or care what had brought the lot to Gunter’s at this precise moment—probably on their way to White’s Club —but their arrival was nothing short of a godsend.

If Verbena Wynecott thought to take the field against these peers, she ought to think again; a fat goose at Michaelmas stood a better chance of survival. Several were known for their sharp tongues and intolerance for stupidity.

Sucking in a sharp breath, Mrs . Wynecott paled, uncertainty flitting across her broad face.

Good .

She should be apprehensive.

Standing noble shoulder to noble shoulder and presenting a united front, several aristocrats stood a few feet behind Robyn . Besides Pennington , the Duke of Harcourt , the Earls of Renshaw and Wainthorpe , and Viscount Sethwick regarded Mrs . Wynecott with utter disdain.

Robyn rose and bowed. “ Your Graces . My lords.”

If their audience had been rapt before, now the patrons stared agog, their coveted ices forgotten and melting in the July heat.

“ Come , old chap. Introduce us,” the Earl of Renshaw urged.

He winked at Georgine before leveling Mrs . Wynecott a blistering stare that would have sent a more astute woman running with her tail between her stout legs.

Mrs . Wynecott was not astute, or else she would have concealed her thievery better. Obtuse , intrusive, and meddlesome, the dame continued to stare while sweating like a racehorse.

A flurry of introductions commenced, the peers waving Georgine and the sisters back into their chairs when good etiquette dictated that they rise.

The onlookers whispered among themselves, some likely never having encountered so many peers at once. There would be many exaggerated stories told around the dinner table and in drawing rooms tonight.

Most would not paint Mrs . Wynecott in a flattering light.

Despite that, the woman did not budge an inch.

By Jove , she had the brass for it—to stand there and smile as though she had not a thing to answer for.

Wainthorpe turned his black stare upon her. Many a man had cowed under that ebony glare. “ I do hope I misheard you, madam, for besmirching the good name of our friend and his bride might be considered social suicide.”

“ Indeed ,” Harcourt murmured, his steely stare unyielding and unforgiving. “ One should carefully weigh the words one speaks, particularly when they are pure fabrication.”

Mrs . Wynecott licked her lips and glanced around. Few people regarded her with anything other than contempt. “ I am privy to information?—”

“ I doubt you are on intimate terms with either Fitzlloyd or his wife.” Renshaw scraped his hooded gaze over her, leaving no doubt he found her wanting.

“ And what you think you know means nothing. What we know…” he swept his hand toward the other aristocrats, “is that Robyn Fitzlloyd is an honorable gentleman and a man of impeccable integrity. Who are you to impugn his honor?”

“ I … I …” she blustered and flapped her fan with such vigor, one would think she meant to sail the channel.

Robyn covered Georgine’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

She straightened her spine, pinning Mrs . Wynecott with a look that would have frozen the Thames . “ Leave . Now . And never, ever approach me or my family again. And before you sully others, perhaps you should take care that your behavior is beyond reproach.”

“ Indeed .” A half smile arching his mouth, Pennington tugged on his earlobe.

“ St . Winifred’s warden paid my wife a call recently.

It seems there are discrepancies between what individuals have donated for the Charity Garden and Fancy Fair fundraisers the past several years, and what the church actually received. ”

A feline grin of satisfaction split his face. “ Aren’t you in charge of that charity?”

A buzz erupted among the spectators.

Likely , at one time or another, a few of those enjoying ices today had been approached by Mrs . Wynecott to donate.

Mrs . Wynecott visibly sagged, the wind having gone out of her sails. Without a word, she turned and, with her head down, wended her way from the enthralled crowd.

Harsh whispers and insults followed in her wake.

Thief . Charlatan . Judas .

Robyn almost felt sorry for her.

Almost .

He turned his attention to his friends. “ Georgine is still recovering, but once the physician gives the all clear, we intend to have a reception. Of course, you are all invited.”

To Georgine’s credit, she maintained her poise at his heretofore undisclosed revelation.

They had never discussed having a reception, but once the idea took root, Robyn became convinced it was just the thing to establish their marriage and erase any remaining smudges from their reputation.

“ Excellent . I shall inform my wife.” Harcourt nodded. “ I have no doubt she will be as delighted as I to accept the invitation.”

The others murmured their agreement.

Regina , silent as a terrified mouse until now, perked up.

“ A fete. Oh , I do love planning a party.” She glanced at her sister. “ Do you think we can have ices and sorbets, and Chinese lanterns, and…?”

Georgine gave her a tolerant nod while patting her hand.

“ We can discuss the details later, dearest.” She tipped her mouth into a pretty smile. “ We will send the invitations soon.”

Robyn hadn’t expected her to agree to his impulsive declaration, let alone collaborate with him.

“ I fear we must take our leave or risk being late for a meeting at White’s , Fitzlloyd ,” Renshaw doffed his hat. “ A pleasure to meet you, Mrs . Fitzlloyd .”

The others echoed his sentiment before shifting toward the lane.

Robyn eyed his melted ice. “ What say we go home and come for ices another day, one a trifle less hot?”

Nodding in agreement, the women rose.

Robyn tucked Georgine’s hand into his elbow as they strolled behind Matilda and Regina toward the waiting carriage.

“ Forgive me for putting you in a fix about the reception.” Chuckling , he adjusted his hat to better deflect the sun. “ The notion popped into my mind, and I spoke without thinking.”

She angled her head so that their eyes met.

“ Honestly , I think it is a grand idea, Robyn .”

“ You do?” For one so opposed to marrying, this turnaround was unexpected, though heartily welcome.

“ I do.” Pink tinted her cheeks, but the brave darling pressed on. “ I want the world to know we are happily married and ours is not just a marriage of convenience or an arranged marriage.”

He lowered his head, and her perfume teased his nostrils. As always, his body reacted with primal urgency. “ Do I dare hope that you regard me with a small degree of fondness?”

This was not the place for such a conversation, but he desperately wanted to know.

They were nearly upon the carriage.

The driver had already assisted Matilda and Regina inside.

Georgine regarded him with soft eyes.

“ More than fondness, Robyn .”