Page 48 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous (Matchmaking Mischief Makers #2)

“E ugenia, please don’t do anything rash.”

Thornton’s hand on her arm might have made her stay. Any touch from him would have, under different circumstances. But now, Eugenia pulled away—not because she wanted distance, but because she needed to ensure nothing stood in the way of a more permanent kind of touch.

Yes, the wager.

Despite her wavering conscience over promoting a match between Miss Playford and Henry Ashworth, she had to win the wager if she were to enjoy Thornton’s continued company.

But that altercation she’d just witnessed didn’t bode well. Miss Playford, pale and frightened, was being led away by her aunt and Lord Windermere—the most dangerous threat of all.

The girl’s future could not lie with that man.

Eugenia quickened her pace, but as she drew closer, it was clear she couldn’t intervene.

Mrs. Pike’s expression was grim, Lord Windermere had Miss Playford’s hand firmly clasped to his arm, and on his other side loomed the lout, Mr. Barnaby.

Really, what Miss Charlotte Ashworth saw in that dull-eyed bully was beyond her. Not that it mattered now.

What mattered was preserving the tenuous balance that had existed ten minutes ago—before Windermere began closing in.

She overheard Mrs. Pike say, “Take her to the tent over there. Yes, she needs to recover after the great shock of Mr. Ashworth’s perfidy.” Clearly staged for any bystanders.

Eugenia, just feet away, could do nothing but step back.

Perhaps it was best to remain near the balloon. She turned toward the aeronaut, who was feeding coal into the brazier, its flames licking upward.

“Mr. Beaumont,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady, “there’s been a slight upset. May I remind you of your instructions? I trust you remember them?”

He gave her a bland, questioning look. “Of course, m’lady. I’m to take up the young lady and gentleman you pointed out earlier.”

“And no one else, Mr. Beaumont. That is vital.”

He looked hesitant. But she was paying him handsomely. There wasn’t much more she could do.

Still, she couldn’t linger by the balloon as hostess of such a grand gathering. She returned to Thornton and Lady Pendleton, seated in cane chairs with glasses of champagne in hand.

Their looks were pitying.

“All is not fair in love and war,” said Thornton.

“Poor Miss Playford is completely at the mercy of that menacing aunt.” He sighed.

“And Henry Ashworth has been the center of the most dreadful scene. Yes,” he said at Eugenia’s enquiring look.

“The lady in blue returned, and Mr. Barnaby outright accused the young man of all manner of fiendish dealings.”

Lady Pendleton twirled her glass. “And I think Mrs. Pike just ended the betrothal for both of them.”

Eugenia let out a gasp! “No! That cannot be allowed.” She tried to see triumph in Lady Pendleton’s tone, but could not.

“And you must accept that there’s nothing to be done, Eugenia,” Lady Pendleton went on. “For a moment, I thought you were about to throw down your glove at Lord Windermere’s feet. Pistols at dawn, and all that.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” said Thornton. “Your boldness of late has been… unexpected.” Admiration colored his tone.

“I saw you speaking to the aeronaut,” Lady Pendleton added.

“Trying to meddle in the course of true love again, I suspect? It won’t work.

If Windermere has the aunt’s blessing, there’s little anyone can do.

I think it’s all over for your wager.” She sighed.

“Poor Miss Playford. A young lady is so vulnerable.”

“Not if she has independent means,” muttered Eugenia, rubbing her temples.

“Poor Venetia is being bartered like a token. Lord Windermere is obsessed—with her beauty, and perhaps her compliant nature. Why else pursue her if she has no dowry? At least I was provided for,” she added.

“Poor Miss Playford… to have her papa gamble everything away. So out of character!”

“Very out of character,” remarked Thornton. “Didn’t know much about the family but I heard nothing of financial or gambling problems. Strange.”

“Well, he did tarnish his reputation by jilting Elizabeth Pike for her younger sister,” said Lady Pendleton. “Perhaps that explains the aunt’s spite.”

“I didn’t know that,” Eugenia said, looking up.

“Why, that explains a great deal! No kind relative would force her niece into marriage against her will—which is clearly what’s happening—unless she had a good reason.

” She straightened. “If this is due to spite—or anything else, for that matter—I won’t allow it! ”

Thornton chuckled. “You’re a matchmaker to be reckoned with.”

“Indeed,” said Eugenia, with a faint smile. “You say she’s not in love with Ashworth? That may be. But with no other options, the least I can do is ensure she doesn’t marry that scoundrel, Lord Windermere.” She exhaled. “Matchmaking is not for the faint-hearted.”

Lady Pendleton’s eyes gleamed. “And your wager with Lord Thornton? That has nothing to do with your concern?”

Eugenia felt her cheeks grow warm. “The wager is now… incidental. What matters is doing what’s right.”

“Of course,” Lady Pendleton said dryly. “And what if your aeronaut’s instructions have already been countermanded? I saw Windermere with him not half an hour ago. A purse exchanged hands.”

“What?” Eugenia sat bolt upright. “He wouldn’t dare!”

“I think he would,” Thornton said quietly. “Men like Windermere don’t stop when they want something. And he clearly wants Miss Playford—or whatever fortune she might possess.”

“But the girl has no fortune.” Eugenia worried at her lip as her mind raced. “We all know that—”

Thornton’s eyes were fixed on Miss Playford, now seated between her aunt and Lord Windermere across the lawn.

“Yes, that’s what we were meant to believe,” he murmured. “But I’m beginning to wonder if there’s more to her story than meets the eye.”