Page 39

London, England

J onas strode into White’s on the evening he was to introduce Ailis to his friends and their wives.

He was dressed to go about in London Society, impeccably attired in formal black tie and tails, and eager to see those scoundrels, Bromleigh, Lynton, and Camborne, who had opened that infernal betting book on him.

He had not yet decided whether to thank them or punch them for inexcusably meddling in his life. But he had never been more content than these months married to Ailis, so it seemed he ought to forgive them and admit they had done him a good turn.

It hurt his heart to think he might have said nothing to Ailis, never admitted his love, and allowed her to slip away. He might have been that stupid to deny his beautiful wife the happiness she deserved, a happiness they both deserved.

That betting book had set it all in motion, although he did not think anyone could have predicted the snowfall that trapped Ailis in his home after she was injured. Would the outcome have been different if she had not fallen in the snow?

Shaking off the thought, he strode toward his friends and was met with their baboon grins. “Do not say a word,” he warned, decidedly loath to receive an “I told you so” from any of them.

“Married life suits you, Ramsdale,” Bromleigh said, motioning him to the fourth chair that was empty and awaiting him.

“I was certain you would marry,” Lynton added, giving Jonas a pat on the back.

Camborne laughed. “We all bet on yer falling in love and marrying. I knew that if I could reform and become a faithful, satisfied husband, then anyone could. Yer brother claims Ailis is a treasure, and that ye were fated to love her the moment ye set eyes on her…even if it took ye years to acknowledge the obvious truth. She must be something extraordinary to pierce that thick wall around yer heart. We cannot wait to meet her.”

But they first settled into the fine leather seats and shared a bottle of scotch.

“Here’s to the women who put up with us,” Camborne said, “and make us better men.”

They all toasted to that.

“Is it true you all wagered I would marry?” Jonas asked, gazing into the amber liquid in his glass as he nursed his scotch.

“Yes,” Lynton said. “But only your brother managed to guess the name of the young lady you would choose. He raked in a fortune with that bet. The odds were on Lady Viola Carstairs. But Pomeroy’s got her now.”

“Poor fellow,” Camborne muttered.

“And Whitcomb is betrothed to Lady Willa Montroy,” Bromleigh added. “Another poor chap to be mourned, for I don’t think the wealth she brings to the marriage is worth giving up one’s soul.”

Lynton shrugged. “Easy enough for us to opine. We weren’t facing ruined estates, and had the luxury of marrying for love.”

“Speaking of marriage,” Jonas muttered, addressing Bromleigh, “I understand your cousin, Lady Fiona Shoreham, has decided to remarry.”

Bromleigh groaned. “Yes, and the gossip rags have splashed the news all over their front pages. This is a disaster in the making.”

Jonas took a sip of his scotch. “How so?”

“Now that her best friend has married me,” Bromleigh said, referring to his wife, Cherish, “Fiona is determined to find her own happiness.”

“Well,” Lynton said, clearing his throat, “she is a widow and has duly mourned her husband. No one can fault her for her loyalty and devotion to Shoreham. You do not seem pleased by her decision, Bromleigh.”

“I am pleased, but I’m not sure she is going to make the right choice.

My nephew and I intend to keep close watch on her, for Fiona can be a keg of gunpowder.

There’s no telling what might happen now that she has declared herself back on the Marriage Mart.

Lord Durham has also assured me he will keep close watch over her. ”

“Durham?” Jonas arched an eyebrow. “Why is he offering? Is he interested in Lady Shoreham?”

Bromleigh nodded. “But she won’t have him. He’s too young for her, she claims.”

“Fiona needs a younger man to keep up with her,” Camborne said with a laugh. “She’ll put an older man in his grave. Durham has a steady hand and even temperament. But he isn’t one to be pushed around, even though he appears to be an easygoing fellow.”

“Are you placing your wagers on Durham, then?” Jonas asked.

Lynton grinned. “We all know that whelp wants Fiona, but will she have him? That’s the big question. What do you say, Ramsdale? Are you in?”

“You are bringing me into your schemes?” Jonas asked.

“No schemes, just a wager,” Lynton remarked, as though stating the obvious. “I say we open a betting book on Durham. Does he marry or not? More to the point, does he capture the heart of the fair Fiona or will she crush him to sand?”

Jonas sighed. “Is this the same conversation you had when setting up the betting book on me?”

“Any complaints?” Camborne asked.

“I suppose not, but you are having far too much enjoyment playing this game.”

Bromleigh grunted. “Well, Durham is no Silver Duke yet. And Fiona is nearing forty, so…”

Camborne burst out laughing. “She is going to kill you if she learns you’ve given her age away.”

“I said nearing —that is not the same as giving her actual age,” Bromleigh insisted. “Come on, the dinner hour is approaching. Gather your wives and meet me back at my townhouse. Cherish is eager to meet Ailis.”

“Will it just be the four couples?” Jonas asked. “Tonight is Ailis’s first time stepping out to a ton affair.”

“She’ll do fine. We are all friends. Fiona will be there, too. She and Cherish are inseparable, as close as two sisters. My nephew, Reggie, and his friend, Durham, may stop by. You and Ailis will get to meet them, Ramsdale. Then you can decide whether you want in on the wager.”

Jonas laughed. “All right, we’ll see.”

He told Ailis about their discussion when picking her up from the Langford townhouse to escort her to the Bromleighs. “What do you think, Ailis? Will Fiona fall for a younger man?”

She pursed her lips. “I don’t know. It is quite a sensitive matter, especially for a woman approaching forty.

I was turning thirty and believed I had lost all hope of ever marrying.

Leap ahead ten years…and it must be a difficult choice for Fiona, even if she does care for Durham.

He is entering his prime and she probably feels like a fading star.

Still, I like to think true love will always win out. What do you think?”

“I’ll reserve judgment. You’ll likely meet them all tonight and can make up your mind about them.”

She snuggled against him as they rode in the ducal carriage. “I’m just glad I have you.”

“Mutual.” He placed his hand over hers and gave it a light squeeze. “I love you, Ailis.”

“Oh, Jonas, I love you so much.”

He spent the rest of the ride kissing his wife in the carriage. They had long ago lost count of the number of kisses each had given the other, but it did not matter. Each kiss he gave Ailis came with a piece of his heart, and it was now big and open, with lots more to give.

They arrived at the Bromleigh townhouse and spent a most enjoyable evening among friends.

Seeing his fellow dukes with their wives, Jonas now understood how each in turn had lost his heart.

Cherish could not have been a better match for Bromleigh.

Nor could Eden have been more perfect for Lynton.

Jocelyn had tamed the untamable Camborne, and that was quite an accomplishment.

Bromleigh’s cousin, Fiona, was there, as were his nephew, Reggie, and the unsuspecting Durham.

Jonas glanced at Ailis, knowing she was studying them all. “What do you think, love?” he asked in a whisper as the ladies were about to leave the men to their ports.

“Oh, I don’t know. Too soon to tell. But if they are meant to be, then I wish them a snowfall…and we shall see what that brings.”

Well, Jonas doubted there would be a snowfall in July. This was when they were all to meet again, for Bromleigh and his wife had invited them to a summer house party at Cherish’s childhood home, Northam Hall, which was near Brighton and neighbored Fiona’s estate.

Ailis, ever the romantic, would not miss it for the world.

As for her wish for a snowfall in July?

Why not?

And add ten kisses.

Miracles could happen.

THE END