Page 31 of Dare to Tempt an Earl This Spring (Wedding Fever #1)
“S o you know him?” Ashley asked as Thomas led her back to the house. Why on earth had he followed them from Ascot? Had the man not done enough?
“We went to Eton together, but I didn’t know him well until Oxford. Seb knew him a little better,” Thomas replied, placing his hand over Ashley’s.
When they reached the drawing room, five solemn faces greeted them.
This was the entrance Ashley had been born to make—no ball gown, no fan to hide behind. She had Thomas by her side, and that was all that mattered.
“Shouldn’t you change before dinner?” her mother asked, giving Ashley’s attire a disapproving once-over.
“I’m not dining with Paisley or anyone he’s brought along,” Ashley said firmly. She glanced at the glass Paisley held, likely filled with cognac, and narrowed her gaze. “I want him gone.”
Paisley chuckled and took a slow sip before setting his glass down. “Is that so, my dear? You may be betrothed to him, but Thomas here has other obligations to consider.”
“Nothing is dissolved,” Thomas said, meeting Ashley’s gaze with a steady nod. “And my future countess has made her wishes clear. Leave now.”
“Now, now, Thomas,” Paisley began, his tone almost mocking, “no need to be rash.”
“Enough,” Thomas said sharply. “And if you have any lingering attachments to Linsey stock, you’d best let them go.”
Paisley’s face twisted with a scowl. But before he could respond, a tall blond man stepped forward from where he’d been quietly standing by the window.
“Thomas,” he said, holding out a parchment, “I thought you might need this more than a traditional wedding present. It still needs your signature.”
Thomas took the parchment, and the man turned to Ashley with a warm smile. “My heartfelt congratulations, Lady Ashley.”
Ashley looked at him, her brow furrowing in recognition. So this was her brother. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. “What is your name?”
“Clyde Sheffield,” he said, bowing and extending his hand to her.
Ashley took it, her eyes studying his face. “We have the same blue eyes and curly blond hair.”
Clyde smiled, a bit bashful, as their father came forward, clearly overwhelmed. “Clyde, my boy! How did you manage all of this?”
“I had some help,” Clyde replied, glancing at Thomas and Ashley. “When I learned of Paisley’s wager against Thomas, I took a gamble of my own.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “You mean the Ascot?”
Clyde nodded. “I overheard Lady Maddie at the apothecary discussing a potential weakness, and I had to act. I knew that if Paisley lost, everything would revert to Thomas. So, I arranged for a little extra motivation.”
“That’s why you were at the stables?” Ashley’s hand flew to her mouth. “I saw you there.”
“Yes,” Clyde said, looking to their father for confirmation. “I wasn’t sure if Lady Maddie would go through with her plan, so I had a backup in place, ready to act if necessary.”
Their father nodded, pride evident in his expression. “Clyde ensured Paisley couldn’t take what belonged to the house of Linsey.”
“Wait,” Thomas said, scanning the parchment, his brow furrowing. “You mean Paisley never even had a true claim on my horses?”
“Exactly,” Clyde replied. “He set the wager against me without realizing I’d preempted his move.”
Paisley seethed, his face contorting in frustration. “This is outrageous!”
Thomas held up a hand, his tone calm but firm. “So let me understand—Paisley tried to sabotage my engagement to Ashley over something he’d already lost?”
Paisley’s face darkened, but he remained silent, rage flickering in his eyes.
Clyde stepped in, turning to Thomas. “Consider the debt cleared with a handshake.” He held out his hand.
Thomas took it, their grip firm, a silent agreement between them. “Your horses will stay at Elysian Fields, where they belong.”
Clyde turned to Ashley with a warm smile. “And may I formally congratulate you, Lady Ashley—”
“No,” Ashley said, stepping forward and embracing him in a heartfelt hug.
The first of many for her brother.