Page 8 of Entwined By Error (Madcaps of Mayfair #1)

“Then it is another blasted attempt at winning. When will you ever learn?” He’d heard the rumors; he’d seen the betting books at White’s before he’d left town.

He knew Southwood’s name was on the first line, a wager of five hundred pounds.

“Hastings will be angry when he discovers you have lost another large sum of money.”

Southwood laughed. “I cannot lose this time. The horse is a known winner.”

“They are all winners in your eyes—that is, until they come in last and you are left without a pound to your name.”

“Spoil sport! Why must you always ruin my fun?”

“Does Miss Astley know of your gambling habit?”

“No. And I trust you will not divulge such information. She is to believe I am the dashing man she met in London. I have led her to believe I am duty bound to see to estate business.”

“I do not plan to ruin your chances, Southwood. You will do that on your own. I trust it will not take the young lady long to discover your unsavory habits.”

“As long as I have her dowry, she can be as disillusioned as she likes. The girl will be a countess with a monthly stipend that will get her as many frocks and comforts as she desires. We need not speak if she does not care for my choices.”

“Very romantic, brother. If you are successful in winning her hand, I am certain Miss Astley will regret her decision to marry you the morning after the vows.” Daniel took another sip of his drink. “What do you want from me?”

“This bazaar mother has orchestrated. I wish for you to escort Miss Astley, see that she enjoys the festivities, and draw her attention away from my absence.” Southwood narrowed his eyes at him. “I trust you to help me with this.”

Daniel sighed. “The bazaar is meant for you and Miss Astley to become better acquainted. It would defeat the purpose if she were to attend with me.”

“You know I despise this sort of thing.”

“Then why, pray tell, is our mother going to the trouble of hosting such a lavish event?”

“Miss Astley suggested the bazaar, and mother thought it a wonderful idea.”

A laugh burst from Daniel, tears forming in his eyes as he realized the absolute absurdity.

Southwood was miserable, as usual. His brother was never truly happy about anything.

But to entertain a prospective marriage to a woman who was similar to their mother, enough that the two women had planned a festival that was sure to drive Southwood to insanity, was too much for Daniel not to laugh at his brother’s expense.

“Laugh now, but one day soon, you will find yourself in a similar predicament.”

It took a moment for him to recover, but when he did, Daniel made certain to smile at his brother. “I doubt it. I have never done anything so foolish as you, and I do not intend to start this late in life.”

Southwood glared at his brother. “You will accompany Miss Astley the first day she is here?”

“Does that mean you have decided against my offer?”

“You know very well I have no intention of ending my courtship.”

“I will double my offer. Not only will I take care your debt with Shomberg, but I will absolve your debt with the baron as well.”

“Stay out of it, Daniel. My debt is none of your affair.”

“Yet you expect me to entertain your potential source of funds but keep to my own business. It is hardly fair. If I agree to this, then I must be allowed to tell you how deeply I disapprove of your sordid affairs.”

“Then you will accompany Miss Astley to the bazaar?”

He hesitated, knowing if he agreed to this, one day, he would find himself entertaining Miss Astley for the entire fortnight.

But he also knew he couldn’t in good conscience allow the young lady to attend the bazaar on her own.

“Did you not accuse me of having designs on Miss Astley? I should think you would want to keep her away from me.”

Southwood laughed and then he finished his drink. “I had already dipped into the cups a bit that night. It was an accusation born of fine wine and a mix of brandy. Please, Daniel. I never ask anything of you…”

“Never?” He could write a twenty-page list of all the times Southwood had made a request of him, but it would do little good to speak of it now.

He hesitated, knowing the only thing holding him back was the charming smile Miss Astley had shown when they’d first met.

Could he spend an entire day with the enchanting woman only to allow his brother to offer for her hand?

Perhaps a day with Miss Astley might be exactly what he needed to help him realize she was just another pretty face and he didn’t care a whit about her.

The enchantment he’d experienced in the ballroom might quickly evaporate while at the bazaar, once he knew a little more about her.

“Very well, I will do it, but only so I can convince her of all the booths and curiosities you will love to visit on the following morning. Bright and early.”

“Very well.” Southwood stood, clapping his hands as he always did when he had achieved his aims. He nodded his thanks and then left.

The library was soon back to the silent room it had been before the interruption, a clock ticking away the seconds on the mantel as a light spring breeze caused the tree branches to scrape against one of the windows. Daniel opened his book once more and settled in for an afternoon of solitude.