Page 11 of Her Scandalous Rake (The Worthington Legacy #8)

T ristan had never felt this desperate before. All he knew was that it would kill him if he couldn’t stop Diana from marrying Lord Hollingsworth.

He glanced toward her house. “Diana, please allow me to talk to your father. I will do all I can do to get him to change his mind.”

She licked her lips and nodded. “Come. I shall take you to him. Let me warn you that he is a very stubborn man.”

Tristan arched an eyebrow. “Then I should be able to understand him well since my brothers are also very stubborn.”

He followed Diana into her house as she led him to the sitting room. It was obvious by the worn furniture, faded curtains and rugs that the Baldwins were in desperate needs of funds. Perhaps this was the key to getting Lord Baldwin to change his mind. Tristan could assist, and would gladly help as long as the lord gave Tristan his daughter’s hand in marriage.

She squeezed his hands. “Stay here and I will fetch my father.” She remained standing in front of him as her desperate gaze slowly moved over his face. “Tristan, I wish you luck. I shall pray you will know the words to convince my father to break the betrothal agreement.”

“I will pray as well.”

Releasing his hands, she turned and hurried out of the room.

Nervousness eased its way in Tristan’s stomach. He flexed his hands, trying to think of the right words to say. This must work!

Never in his life had he imagined being in such a predicament. Although he figured he would marry for love one day, he had never imagined how much he would have to struggle just to keep that dream alive. Shouldn’t this have just fallen perfectly into place?

After several long and agonizing minutes ticked by, footsteps thudded on the floor in the corridor, growing louder as they neared the room. Taking a deep breath, Tristan said a silent prayer that all would work out, and by the end of the day he and Diana would be engaged.

Diana walked in the room with her father. Lord Baldwin was a stout man, and not as tall as Tristan. A frown etched his expression and bushy auburn eyebrows were pulled together over a narrowed gaze.

Tristan gulped. Already things were not looking good.

“Father, allow me to introduce Lord Tristan Worthington.” She met Tristan’s eyes. “My lord, this is my father, Baron Baldwin.”

Tristan nodded. “My lord.”

The other man grumbled the same response.

Hope that Tristan had tried to keep in his heart began to sink. Fast. Regardless of the panic encasing him, he smiled his best at the other man. “Lord Baldwin, I am very happy to finally meet the man whose daughter has captured my interest.” He took another breath, wondering why his heartbeat seemed to be running a race with his words. “The past few days at my mother’s party, I had the privilege of meeting your daughter. I found her such a delight and—”

“You are too late, Lord Tristan,” Baldwin barked. “She has been betrothed to the Viscount Hollingsworth.”

Tristan gulped and quickly cleared his throat. “Your daughter has already explained this to me. However, I am here to see if I can convince you otherwise.” He switched his focus to Diana, who bunched her hands at her side, appearing as nervous as Tristan felt. “Miss Baldwin and I have gotten to know each other, and I would very much like to marry her.”

She smiled at him, but her lips quivered.

Tristan looked back at Baldwin. “I understand you have signed a contract with Hollingsworth, but—”

“Please, Lord Tristan,” Baldwin grunted. “Do not make this any more difficult than it already is. The subject is closed. My daughter will wed Lord Hollingsworth.”

Irritation expanded inside Tristan’s chest and he wanted to shake Diana’s father senseless. But he must remain calm. “My lord, if it’s money you seek, I can assure you I’m quite wealthy—”

“Please, no more.” Baldwin stepped closer to Tristan. Moisture glistened in the man’s eyes as a different expression crossed his face. It appeared as if the man was silently pleading for help. “Lord Tristan, there is nothing I can do. However, if you can convince Lord Hollingsworth to break the contract, I will happily give you and Diana my blessing.”

Something wasn’t right here. Confusion swam in Tristan’s head as he recalled Diana mentioning that Hollingsworth had some kind of hold over her father. Indeed, that must be the case because usually the father of the bride could break the marriage contract, yet Baldwin was reluctant to do so.

Tristan nodded. “That’s what I’ll do.” He bowed. “Good day, my lord.” He glanced at Diana and tried his best to give her a reassuring smile. “I will see you later with good news.”

She brought her clutched hands to her chest and nodded. “I pray you will.”

Instead of waiting to be shown out, Tristan hurried out of the house and to his horse, determined to find Hollingsworth and convince him to release Diana’s father.

Although Tristan didn’t know the viscount well, he knew that the man loved playing the gaming tables…and loved cheating people. Tristan would find that man even if he had to search all over England.

Thankfully, he found Hollingsworth at the second place Tristan looked. It helped that he knew people and had good connections.

When Tristan approached the table, a few of the other lords nodded greetings to him and motioned for him to join them. Hollingsworth glared, but didn’t rebut the invitation. It shouldn’t surprise Tristan that his younger brother, Trey, was here. That particular brother loved living up to his corrupted reputation.

After a few hands—and a few cups of port—Tristan relaxed and tried to get into the game although his mind scrambled to think of a way he could talk Hollingsworth out of marrying Diana.

Tristan laid down his winning hand and grinned.

Lord Harris shook his head. “I should have known Lord Tristan would take my money. It never fails when I play with a Worthington.”

“Lord Tristan,” Hollingsworth said, aiming his glare at him, “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were cheating this evening.”

The others in the room hushed as their hands stilled. Tristan had played cards with Hollingsworth several times before, and should be used to his sour attitude by now. Although Tristan should call the bugger out, he wouldn’t… yet. “Then it’s a good thing you know me, isn’t it?”

Grumbling, Hollingsworth swiped his fingers through his bright red hair that in spots had turned to white. “Indeed, it’s most fortunate I know you.”

The other men at the table relaxed, but Tristan couldn’t let the subject rest. He took another swig of his port before adding, “And it’s a good thing you are into your cups a little heavy tonight, or I just might feel the need to call you out.”

A few men gasped, but Tristan only heard the person sitting on his right. Slowly, he turned his gaze to Trey. The wide blue eyes of his brother were dark with anger, and silently he issued a warning. Trey had always been like that—thinking he needed to protect Tristan against men who were very much like the youngest Worthington brother. Tristan gave Trey a nonchalant shrug and returned his attention to Hollingsworth whose face was flushed.

“Shall we continue playing?” Tristan asked.

The others around the table chimed in with a positive response. Throughout the game, Hollingsworth continued to throw visual daggers toward Tristan, which he did his best to ignore. The fop had always been a bad sport while playing cards, and if Tristan didn’t enjoy taking the lord’s money so much, he would refuse to play with him most of the time.

Finally, Hollingsworth bowed out, gathered up the little winnings he had kept, and stormed out of the room. The other gents followed suit. Tristan stood, and so did his brother.

Trey reached his arms above his head as if he were stretching out kinks. “Well, Brother. I believe I shall retire as well.” He clapped his hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “But I’m happy to see you have won big this evening, and once again, brought with your company a bit of entertainment.”

“Entertainment?” Tristan arched an eyebrow.

“Yes. You enjoy making the other gentlemen at the table nervous, including your own brother.”

Scooping up his winnings, Tristan chuckled. “Well, someone has to liven up the game.” He nodded to his brother, and hurried out to try and find Hollingsworth. He’d give the man every last thing he earned tonight if it meant winning Diana’s hand. As he made his way down the steps of the building, a dark shadow against the building pulled his attention.

“Lord Tristan,” Hollingsworth greeted in a not-so-civil tone.

“Hollingsworth.” Tristan nodded. “I had assumed you were heading home to sulk.”

“You thought wrong.” The lord walked slowly toward Tristan, eyeing him carefully. “I’m not a man who sulks. Instead, I’m a man who gets even.”

“Truly?” Tristan folded his arms across his chest. “What a surprise. I hadn’t heard that about you, Hollingsworth.”

The other man’s scowl darkened—if that were at all possible. “I’m warning you now. I will not tolerate a cheater.”

“Ah, such a good thing to know about you.” Tristan nodded. “I’m quite certain that particular trait will make you one trustworthy lord one day.”

“Lord Tristan,” he snarled. “I do not want to play another game of cards with you again.”

“Why not, my lord?” Tristan frowned. “Don’t you know how much I enjoy taking your money? Are you sure we couldn’t just work this out?”

Growling, Hollingsworth gripped the lapels of Tristan’s overcoat and shook him once. “Heed my warning, or you’ll be sorry. If you don’t do as I say, I might have to harm someone close to you just to teach you a lesson.”

Whether the man was foxed or not, Tristan had enough of this imbecile. Breaking the hold Hollingsworth had on him, Tristan pushed the older man, causing Hollingsworth to tumble back a couple of steps before righting himself.

“Now hear this, my lord.” Tristan sneered the last two words, hating that this kind of man had been born to noble parents. “I don’t take kindly to threats, especially aimed at those I care about. So if you value your life, you will refrain from saying such things. Understood?”

“You doubt my sincerity?”

Tristan could tell Hollingsworth wanted more—and Tristan would indeed give it to him. “I’m a fair man, and although I’m not an avid gambler like my brother, Lord Trey, I do enjoy making bets. I have a wager for you, my lord.” He held out the money he’d won tonight. “I will give you every last shilling here, if you withdraw your marriage offer to Miss Diana Baldwin.”

It took only seconds before Hollingsworth’s eyes widened and he laughed. “Oh, what a surprise this is! I actually have something Lord Tristan wants.”

“I’m quite serious, Hollingsworth. Leave the lady alone. She does not want to marry you. She wants to be my wife.”

Hollingsworth threw back his head and bellowed a laugh. “Oh, this is famous! Not very often do I see a time when a Worthington brother does not get what he wants.” He flipped his hand. “Regardless, I can assure you, Lord Tristan, you have lost. Miss Baldwin and I will marry and there isn’t a thing you can do to stop it.”

Tristan’s mind grasped for anything that might help him. “How much do you want? I will pay handsomely. I have spoken with the man earlier, and he will allow me to wed his daughter if I can get you to release him.”

Hollingsworth shrugged. “If Lord Baldwin breaks the betrothal agreement, I shall see the man in prison and he knows it. I can assure you this battle I will win because I hold the trump card!”

As Hollingsworth walked away, Tristan’s heart crumbled. What could he possibly do now to stop it?

“Tristan? What was that all about?”

Trey’s voice yanked Tristan out of his turmoil, and he turned to look toward the building. Trey had been leaning against the side of the structure in the shadows. He pulled away and sauntered toward Tristan.

“I couldn’t help but overhear what you and Hollingsworth were talking about.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

“Is there something I can do to assist?”

Tristan shrugged. “I want to marry Miss Baldwin and she wants to marry me, but her father signed a contract with Hollingsworth. Do you have any insane ideas on how I can stop her from marrying the wrong man?”

Trey chuckled. “I must admit, Tristan, I never thought I’d see you so adamant about a woman you just barely met. What happened with Lady Jane?”

“Nothing at all happened with her, nor will it ever. I want to marry Diana.”

“Well, if it were me,” he said walking past Tristan slowly, “and mind you, I will never be in your shoes, but if that were me, I would take what is mine without questions asked.”

“But Trey, she’s not mine.”

Trey stopped, turned and looked over his shoulder at Tristan. “Then make her yours.”

“How?”

“Elope. Go get her tonight and take her to Gretna Green.”

“But can I?”

“What is Hollingsworth or her father going to do once she’s married and you have consummated the marriage bed?” He shook his head. “Not one bloody thing! And although the elopement may dampen yours and Miss Baldwin’s reputation for a while, people will soon forgive and forget, but at least the lady will be yours and not Hollingsworth’s.”

Hope sprang to life in Tristan’s chest and he clamped his hand on Trey’s shoulder. “What a brilliant suggestion. Has anyone ever told you how very clever you are?”

Trey’s smile widened. “All the time, my dear brother.”

Excitement rushed through Tristan once more, and he ran to his horse, mounted, and rode toward Bristol to finally rescue his fair maiden. He wouldn’t get there tonight, but he would still take her to Gretna Green sometime tomorrow.