Page 13 of Dare to Tempt an Earl This Spring (Wedding Fever #1)

T homas took a swig of beer. The smell of hops and malt hung thick in the air, and he felt a sense of timelessness. This place, like his stables, was a part of his legacy. And here, amidst the barrels and brews, was the shared passion that bound him and his friend, Sebastian, together. They had spent a lifetime chasing the perfect ale, as well as a lifetime of friendship. If Thomas had a brother, it would have been Sebastian.

He hoped, with all his heart, that Ashley would like his estate because he was no longer willing to let her out of his sight. There was no question anymore—there never really had been—but now, it was settled in his mind: his marriage to Ashley had to happen. And the sooner, the better for his comfort. The rest would fall into place.

All his life, he had tried to do the right thing. The dutiful thing. The peaceful thing. But this wager with Paisley…something about it unsettled him. The looming deadline to marry or lose his horses weighed on him every moment. It had turned into something deeply uncomfortable and disturbed his peace. And that wasn’t even counting the unexpected, but thrilling, variable that was Ashley.

That she had an illegitimate brother?

Thomas still couldn’t fathom how that might influence his—their—future life. But he had always been a man who accepted people as they were, flaws and all. And it wasn’t Ashley’s fault that an illegitimate child had been sired.

She was innocent in all of this.

Even without the wager hanging over his head, he could no more toss her to the wolves than he could abandon a newborn foal. He’d already questioned her motives at the start, judged her too quickly. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.

His desire for Ashley was no longer just about fulfilling a wager. Well, it was, but it also wasn’t. It was about winning her heart, about proving to himself that he could be the man she deserved. But his goal remained: to marry her before his birthday and secure his future. That didn’t change. It couldn’t. The tension between his duty—this promise to his father and the wager he made years ago—and his desire to truly earn her love was like a lead anchor weighing him down to one immovable spot.

He wanted it all to be over.

And another thing. She knew the reason he had to wed hastily, but she didn’t seem to care all that much. He couldn’t decipher what she might be thinking. What happened after they wed? Did she plan to stay with him? According to his recollection, Chaswick’s wife was never home, choosing to travel all over the country.

He took another, heavier swallow, allowing the beer to burn down his throat.

“I’m sorry you had to learn of it this way,” Sebastian said, running both hands through his hair. “But Paisley might show up at your door.”

“No, no.” Thomas replied. “I’d rather have you tell me than run into Paisley and have him surprise me. But let me make sure that I understand this correctly.” He tapped his glass with a finger. “Paisley already bet on my horses as the stakes with this Sheffield?”

“Yes.”

“So, he thinks I won’t marry Ashley.”

“Paisley can’t let you marry Ashley because then he cannot repay his debt to Sheffield.”

Thomas narrowed his eyes. “That’s rather convenient.” And bloody dishonorable. “But he was the one that took me to Almack’s.

Sebastian shook his head. “An interesting move. I doubt he wanted you to suspect anything, or he just wanted to see you cringe. With that man, you never know.”

“Then I must do everything in my power to ensure this wedding goes forward as soon as possible,” Thomas said as the thought formed in his mind. Why did Sheffield have to be Ashley’s brother?

This complicated matters all the more, but it also wouldn’t touch them all that much. Unless this marriage did not happen…

“It takes two, though. What if she finds out about the wager?”

“I told her.”

“And you told her that if the wedding doesn’t happen before your birthday, you’ll be left with nothing? That you’re marrying her because of a wager?”

“Even if I don’t have a penny to my name, I still have my title.”

“That’s rather vain of you,” Sebastian retorted.

“It’s a fact.” Thomas grinned at his friend, leaning back into his chair and crossing his ankles over each other. “And it doesn’t matter if I’m penniless. We are both the sort of people that will rise through any occasion.”

Sebastian arched his brow. “Until the moment you tell her she can’t go out and shop.”

“Oh, stop it. None of this will come to pass anyway. My more pressing concern is why Paisley would wager with a deed not yet in his name.”

“I agree,” Sebastian said. “It’s unlike him to act so rashly.”

“Yes, something must have happened.”

Sebastian’s expression darkened. “I’ve never liked the duke. You’re too soft when it comes to people who approach you. Just like Lady Ashley. She approached you first, didn’t she?”

Thomas arched a brow. “What makes you say that?”

“This entire affair is just too smooth. What if she and Paisley are working together?”

Thomas furrowed his brows. He’d had the same thought at the start, but ultimately dismissed it. However, now that her brother was involved, could he truly, recklessly dismiss the possibility? Yes. “I don’t believe that is true.”

“Can you be sure?” Sebastian challenged. “Would you stake your entire stables on the fact that she’s not working with Paisley to keep you from winning the wager?”

Would he? Could he? Thomas hesitated, but not for long.

“Absolutely. I already did,” he said, his voice firm. Ashley wasn’t part of some conspiracy; he was certain of that. He had seen the honesty in her eyes, the genuine way she carried herself. She wasn’t someone who would betray him or work with a scoundrel like Paisley. She couldn’t be. And more than that, Thomas realized with a startling clarity that he didn’t want to believe otherwise. He needed her to be exactly who he thought she was, because the alternative was too painful to even consider.

She held the power to break his heart.

*

Ashley had to get back to her original plan: Breaking the earl’s heart. And she had to dress for the task.

“I need to get into town.”

Without Linsey finding out.

Her mind whirred with ideas on how to slip away without alerting him. If only she had the skill to handle a horse herself—then she could simply borrow one. After all, countrymen rose early, did they not? She’d have to slip away when he went on a drive or after he went.

Probably after.

Hopefully, she could be back before he noticed her absence.

It’s just a riding habit, Ashley.

Yes, but he might question why she didn’t bring one to the country, and she didn’t want that.

Her ears perked up at the sound of approaching voices and laughter. Linsey’s familiar tone mixed with another she didn’t recognize.

Two men. The earl, and a gentleman.

They were walking in her direction, yet to notice her. As their conversation became clearer, Ashley’s eyes narrowed.

“So, when am I going to meet this vain creature who asked to marry you and who is about to be penniless?” the unknown man quipped.

Ashley stepped into the hallway, her chin lifting as she faced the two men. “How about now?”

Linsey and his friend came to an abrupt halt, both men staring at her with wide eyes like startled deer. She might have laughed at their expressions if the word “vain” hadn’t lodged in her throat.

“Lady Ashley,” Linsey began, looking as though he’d rather be anywhere else at that moment. She inwardly scoffed. His friend, however, bowed gracefully, seemingly unfazed.

“Sebastian Moore, Marquess of Cambridge, at your service, my lady,” the man introduced himself with a slight bow. “Thomas has spoken much about you.”

Ashley’s lips twitched. “So I heard.”

Sebastian glanced at Linsey before offering an unapologetic grin. “You may place the blame on me, my lady. It was I who commented that like attracts like.”

Her gaze slid between the two men, eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”

Linsey nodded, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Ashley raised a brow. “Like attracts like…” she said, thankful her voice remained steady. “You seem to have formed some mistaken views about me, Lord Cambridge, as well as your friend. And allow me to point something out—I did not ask to marry Linsey. I asked him to marry me. A minor difference, perhaps, but a difference, nonetheless. I also don’t consider myself vain, though I suppose I’m not without vanity. We women are complicated in that way. And as for being penniless—well, I’m afraid you’ve been grossly misinformed.”

Lord Cambridge’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering in his gaze, but Ashley met him head-on. She would not be intimidated by the likes of any man, but she did so enjoy their effort once in a while.

This friend, however—she could feel doubt dripping off him.

No matter.

He couldn’t possibly know about her initial plans. He could only suspect her sudden proposal, which Linsey had found suspicious as well but said yes anyway.

They all had their reasons.

Linsey suddenly cleared his throat. “Shall we go riding later today?” His question broke the rising tension that filled the space between her and his friend.

Ashley stiffened inwardly.

No! Not today .

She needed to get into town, commission riding habits, and stop by the bookshop. How else could she learn about horses and appear more refined than her current clumsy state? And with Lord Cambridge’s hawk-like eyes on her, there would be no hiding her lack of skill. He’d be watching her every move, no doubt scrutinizing her.

What a bother!

“I’m afraid I’m too tired for a ride today,” she said smoothly, feigning weariness. “Perhaps tomorrow afternoon?”

“What about tomorrow morning?” Lord Cambridge countered with a challenging smile.

Ashley forced a gracious smile. “Forgive me, but I cannot say with confidence that I shall be awake at the early hours to which you country folk are accustomed.”

Lord Cambridge’s eyes gleamed with amusement, but his jaw remained tight. “A true city girl,” he mumbled into a hand feigning a cough, but Ashley heard him.

“I’m afraid so,” Ashley replied, her smile unwavering.

“So why, if I may ask,” he continued, his tone suddenly sharp, “are you marrying a countryman?”

“Seb.” Linsey’s voice carried a warning, but Ashley had already squared her shoulders, hands on her hips. She didn’t need him to fight her battles.

“I can marry whomever I please, Lord Cambridge,” she said sweetly.

“Will you be happy in the country?” he pressed.

What sort of question was this? “I can be happy wherever I put my heart.”

“And what of your duties?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

What a disappointing quip! “What duties would those be?”

“Washing the horses,” he deadpanned, his expression perfectly serious.

Ashley blinked, momentarily thrown off by the absurdity of the remark. Was this a trick question? “Aren’t there stable hands for that?”

The marquess shrugged nonchalantly. “Thomas always mentioned how his ideal wife would rub down his horses.”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “And I always imagined my ideal husband would rub my feet and feed me grapes.” She turned to Linsey, arching an expectant brow.

Linsey cleared his throat, looking both amused and flustered. “I said those things when I was a boy. No need to pay attention to Sebastian.”

“Not a foot man, I see,” she teased, but before Linsey could reply, Lord Cambridge interjected again.

“He also mentioned he wanted to marry a black-haired beauty,” Lord Cambridge was clearly intent on stirring trouble.

Ashley’s fingers dug into her waist. “Is that so?”

“Sebastian.” Thomas’s tone had turned into a deep growl that resonated in her stomach in a way she couldn’t afford to pay attention to, if she were to best his friend.

“It’s quite all right,” she said, her tone sweet and smile in place. In her mind, however, she kicked Lord Cambridge where she knew it would hurt. “Your friend is simply looking out for you. Our engagement was sudden, yes, but I’m sure he is unaware of how quickly such things often transpire within the Ton, being your friend and all.”

Linsey groaned softly.

Lord Cambridge tilted his head, studying her with a hint of admiration. “You’re quite the feisty one, Lady Ashley.”

“Thank you,” she said coolly. “And you are quite the outdated one, Lord Cambridge.”

Linsey winced, but to her surprise, Lord Cambridge merely chuckled. “Touché.”

The earl offered a sheepish smile. “Forgive him, Lady Ashley. As you said, he’s just looking out for me. We also had a bit of beer, though that is not an excuse.”

Ashley’s eyes lit up. Lord Cambridge instantly flew from her mind. Why hold a grudge against a man who was looking out for his friend? “Beer, you say? Did you go into town for it?”

Lindsey shook his head. “I have a brewery on the estate.”

Ashley’s interest piqued instantly. “How marvelous! You must take me on a tour sometime.”

Linsey’s face visibly relaxed at that, his lips quirking up in a slight smile. “Of course. You’re welcome to sample the beer as well.”

“That sounds delightful,” Ashley replied. “But for now, gentlemen, I must excuse myself. The journey has been long, and this city girl is in need of rest.”

With a small curtsy, she left them behind, heart pounding as she retreated to her room. What was this strange tightness in her chest?

She pressed a hand to her ribs, but the feeling lingered. Was it the conversation with Lord Cambridge, his probing questions, or something far more unsettling? The walls seemed to close in as doubt crept over her. She had thought this engagement would be a simple arrangement—a matter of revenge.

But now, for the first time, she wasn’t sure what game she was truly playing, or if she had already lost her best card—her heart.