Page 8 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

Her stomach dropped. He had her there. “To be honest, until recently, he has never bothered much with me. I may have known him as a child but not enough as a grown woman. Not as a widow.” He pulled at his cravat.

It was either too tight again or something Latham did when he was nervous.

She would bet on nervousness. “Perhaps you can start by telling me why you have set your sights on me?”

His fingers tugged at his cravat again. His eyes darted around the room, and she felt he was seeking a savior.

He raised his napkin to his mouth and cleared his throat.

“To be honest, I am thirty-one years old, and I have never spent any quality time with a lady. I’m sure you’ve been told about me by Hollingsworth.

I’ve worked hard recently to redeem myself in the eyes of the ton .

I no longer gamble or drink hard liquor.

I do partake in a glass of wine now and then with dinner.

I’m spending time with my property managers.

I’m truly trying to be a better man. Thankfully, my brother, James, made me see the error of my ways and how what I was doing was not just affecting me but the people who rely on me.

” He paused and took a sip of the watered- down punch.

“It is no secret that I require funds. And the best way to acquire them is to marry well and come into a dowry.” He reached across the table and touched her hand.

“I’m ashamed of my actions before and now. But let me be honest: I’ve been smitten ever since I saw you at the Langford ball. And it has nothing to do with you being a duke’s daughter. I have this deep desire to get to know you.”

Shocked at his long speech, Priscilla sipped her bland punch to give her pause. “I appreciate you telling me all this. And as to your comment, I already knew most of your past. But I think both of us should concentrate on the here and now. Not what was, but what is. Does that make sense?”

He sighed audibly and smiled. “Yes. Thank you for not holding my past against me.”

“How can I when I’ve heard that reformed rakes make the best husbands?” Her hand flew to her mouth, and her cheeks heated. “Did I just say that? Goodness, what’s gotten into me?”

He had a nice laugh, and it warmed her skin. “I have heard that as well. But I don’t think most people believe it.”

He stood and held out his hand. “Perhaps you would like to take a turn around the ballroom, announce to those in attendance that you are accepting of me.”

His words rang close to something Nick would say.

She took his hand as she stood, then wrapped it around his arm as they strolled out of one room and into the ballroom.

There, the guests danced, strolled, and conversed in quiet conversation.

Her eyes found Nick immediately standing with Langford, Caldwell, and Blackstone. Their wives were nowhere to be seen.

The bored look Nick sent her didn’t bode well to her.

They strolled behind several other couples as they made several passes around the room, attracting the attention of many, including her mother, who nodded her head with a smile.

Latham appeared genuinely interested in her for more than just her dowry.

She would bet her pin money on it unless he were really that good at hiding his emotions.

But if that were the case, wouldn’t he have been successful at the gaming tables? And she knew for a fact he hadn’t been.

“Lady Priscilla. Did you hear me?”

“Yes. But could you repeat it?”

He chuckled. “I hate to think I’m so boring that you were woolgathering while I was rambling on about taking you for a ride in the park tomorrow. Weather permitting.”

“Yes. Forgive me. I was thinking of my mother. I would like that very much. Weather permitting.”

He chuckled again. “Thank you. I am honored that you accepted my offer. And I fear I have monopolized your time. I will escort you to your mother.”

Having relinquished her to her mother, Priscilla sat in the chair next to her. “Well, you may as well say what’s on your mind, Mother.”

Her mother hummed. “You know me too well. You and Latham make a lovely couple. There is no doubt about it. But I see more than most. I saw Nicholas following you with sadness and yearning in his eyes. I know he has hurt you, but perhaps he wasn’t ready to admit until now that he has feelings for you. ”

“It isn’t true. Let me clue you in on a little secret.” She whispered into her mother’s ear, “Nick and I have agreed to a false courtship to help other eligible ladies see him in a new light, see him as a gentleman worthy of husband material. To finally bury the rumors.”

“Priscilla,” her mother admonished. “You can’t be serious.”

“Don’t look at me like that. It was his idea, not mine. I only agreed to go along with it. But I also agreed to a courtship with Latham. So don’t be shocked that I am now courting two gentlemen. And I do it proudly.”

“I am shocked. Are you trying to get me to faint? To take to my bed with a migraine? What will people say?”

“I don’t care what people say. For once in my life, I will do what I want.”

A gasp escaped her mother’s lips. “What you want? Let me remind you that you eloped to Gretna Green with Jasper. Someone we had never met or heard you mention. You have already been gossiped about once before. Do you wish so again?”

“It didn’t bother me the first time. And I won’t let it bother me this time, either.

I’m doing Nick a favor. A favor he asked for.

Please, Mother, I’m doing the best I can.

I’m helping out Nick and allowing Latham to court me.

You and Father should be happy that someone is interested in me.

I never confided in you how much Nick’s rejection of me hurt when I was eighteen.

It took me a long time to get over him. So please don’t make this difficult for me. ”

“I never knew you felt so strongly about Nicholas or that he hurt you terribly.” Her mother said in a soothing voice. “I’m sorry. Would you like me to speak to him?”

Priscilla couldn’t help the groan that escaped her lips before she covered it up with her gloved hand. “No, Mother. I have Latham interested in me, and perhaps one day he will propose.” Her stomach dipped down to her toes. Was she ready to marry someone else?

*

“You lost Priscilla once before,” Blackstone said as they watched Latham escort her around the outer perimeter of the ballroom.

“By sheer tragedy, her husband perished at sea, and you have another chance to redeem yourself. What are you waiting for? For her to marry Latham and hope something takes his life?”

Caldwell frowned at Blackstone. “I can’t believe you just spoke of my brother’s death. Besides, if he were going to die, he would’ve already. He came close several times. Now that he’s becoming the man he was meant to be, I like him and would prefer to see him grow old.”

“Sorry,” Blackstone winced. “I meant your brother no harm or disrespect. I only meant to make a point to Hollingsworth since he seems too daft to see what’s right in front of him and what’s in here.” He tapped his chest.

“You both realize I’m standing right here, and my hearing is perfect.

” His eyes traveled back to Priscilla and the lovely picture she presented in her stunning blue gown, accentuating her curves on her tall frame.

“I wish the baron nothing but the best in pursuing Priscilla while I’m also courting her.

” He held up his wine glass. “May the best man win.”

Blackstone and Langford laughed. “You don’t have to court her,” Langford said when he stopped laughing. “Just propose and skip all the tedious courting and the rules and marry her with a special license. By this time next week, you can be living in wedded bliss.”

Caldwell begged off, leaving Blackstone, Langford, and him standing together, wine glasses in their hands.

Nick explained about the fake courtship—more laughter from his so-called friends.

“There is nothing amusing about it. Priscilla is helping me, and in return, I’m helping her find a suitor, be that Latham or some other lucky fellow. ”

“Why on earth are you doing this?” Langford asked, all amusement gone. “Admit you have a tender spot for Lady Priscilla.”

“I admit I do,” Nick said with a frustrated sigh.

“Have you ever taken her into your arms and kissed her?” Blackstone queried and continued before he could answer. “If you have, you would already know whether you felt something or nothing. And that could answer all your questions regarding Lady Priscilla.”

“Well, have you?” Langford asked.

“Lord, give a fellow a break and stop badgering me.” He ran a hand through his hair.

They brought up a very valid question and point.

Why hadn’t he ever kissed Priscilla? He’d thought about it a time or two, but then the moment would pass.

For the past year, she had been in mourning, and he had hardly ever seen her.

Before that... he’d been a fool. “No, I haven’t kissed her. ”

“What the bloody hell is wrong with you?” Blackstone said rather loudly.

Several people looked their way. “Be quiet. People are beginning to take notice. There’s nothing wrong with me,” Nick huffed.

“I suggest,” Langford began, “you take Lady Priscilla out onto the veranda, and if any people are around, take her deeper into the gardens and... well, I don’t think I need to tell you the rest, do I?”

Nick choked on his wine. “I believe I’m well versed in the art of kissing.”

“Well then. Kiss her before she runs off to Gretna Green with the baron. After all, she has done it once before.”