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Authors: Marjorie Farrell
Tags: Regency Romance
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about Lady Fairhaven, above and beyond her money.
Joanna thought she had been unhappy at the beginning of the Season when Tony’s interest in Lady Fairhaven had first become evident. She had watched them closely, wondering why she was tormenting herself, but wanting some sign that Tony cared about the lady as well as her fortune.
Of course, when she saw them on the dance floor or seeking “fresh air,” she decided, to Tony’s credit, he seemed to have some genuine feeling for Lady Fairhaven. But aside from her relief that her old friend’s integrity was more or less intact, it did not make her feel any better.
She was the world’s biggest fool, she decided. She had loved Tony Varden since she was a young girl. When Ned died, she had been ashamed that her real grief was mixed with hope that the loss of his brother might bring them closer, might reshape the habits and patterns of old friendship. But Tony had never sought comfort from her. Instead, he had sought it at 75 St. James Street. And then in the arms of Lady Fairhaven. The one thing Joanna could be thankful for was that no one had ever guessed her secret.
Tony’s most recent behavior had appalled her. If gossips were correct, he had borrowed a tidy sum from Claudia and immediately thrown it away on Rouge et Noir . And here he was, acting as if nothing had happened. How could she respect, much less love, such a man?
At the end of the evening, Tony asked Claudia if he might escort her home. She knew they had to have it out sometime, and so she agreed. The ride home was made in uncomfortable silence, now that there were no social forms to ease their way.
The butler opened the door for them and motioned to Jim to take their wraps.
“Please bring a decanter of brandy to the library, Dawson.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Will you join me, Tony?” asked Claudia, not waiting for an answer and proceeding down the hall to the library. Tony followed, aware that she had chosen a rather formal room for their confrontation, for that was what he expected this to be.
Claudia was shaking with both anger and nerves. Here she was, deeply in love with a man who was on the brink of disaster. She had been able to dismiss Tony’s gambling as a result of his grief and desperation. But he had made her a promise and not kept his word. She knew of too many men who made a life of broken promises over gambling or drinking. She wanted to save Tony from that, but she was not about to sacrifice herself in the process.
“Please close the door, Tony,” she said, and turned to face him.
He looked like a shamefaced boy for one unguarded moment, and this time it did not draw her sympathy but her anger. At some point that boy had to grow up. It was high time.
“I have heard the gossip, Tony. In fact, I have had to put up with Lord Fairhaven warning me that everyone knows you have borrowed money from me and gambled it away. Can you explain?”
Tony was taken aback. He had never seen Claudia angry, nor expected to face more than disappointment. All his savoir faire deserted him, and unfortunately he looked even more boyish as he attempted an explanation. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the three hundred-pound notes and held them out.
“I did lose the other night, Claudia, but I won back half of it.”
“But you did not pay off any of your debts as you promised.”
“Well…no…you see, I was hoping to double what you had given me and pay you back as well.”
“And now?”
“I know this will sound outrageous…but I was hoping you could lend me more. Only three hundred this time,” he rushed to point out before she could open her mouth.
Neither heard the door click behind them or noticed Dawson standing there with the brandy.
“You are a fool indeed if you think I will give you a penny more of my money, Lord Ashford,” said Claudia, furious at his effrontery.
Dawson cleared his throat. “The brandy, my lady.”
Claudia blushed and Tony turned his back to the
Joanna thought she had been unhappy at the beginning of the Season when Tony’s interest in Lady Fairhaven had first become evident. She had watched them closely, wondering why she was tormenting herself, but wanting some sign that Tony cared about the lady as well as her fortune.
Of course, when she saw them on the dance floor or seeking “fresh air,” she decided, to Tony’s credit, he seemed to have some genuine feeling for Lady Fairhaven. But aside from her relief that her old friend’s integrity was more or less intact, it did not make her feel any better.
She was the world’s biggest fool, she decided. She had loved Tony Varden since she was a young girl. When Ned died, she had been ashamed that her real grief was mixed with hope that the loss of his brother might bring them closer, might reshape the habits and patterns of old friendship. But Tony had never sought comfort from her. Instead, he had sought it at 75 St. James Street. And then in the arms of Lady Fairhaven. The one thing Joanna could be thankful for was that no one had ever guessed her secret.
Tony’s most recent behavior had appalled her. If gossips were correct, he had borrowed a tidy sum from Claudia and immediately thrown it away on Rouge et Noir . And here he was, acting as if nothing had happened. How could she respect, much less love, such a man?
At the end of the evening, Tony asked Claudia if he might escort her home. She knew they had to have it out sometime, and so she agreed. The ride home was made in uncomfortable silence, now that there were no social forms to ease their way.
The butler opened the door for them and motioned to Jim to take their wraps.
“Please bring a decanter of brandy to the library, Dawson.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Will you join me, Tony?” asked Claudia, not waiting for an answer and proceeding down the hall to the library. Tony followed, aware that she had chosen a rather formal room for their confrontation, for that was what he expected this to be.
Claudia was shaking with both anger and nerves. Here she was, deeply in love with a man who was on the brink of disaster. She had been able to dismiss Tony’s gambling as a result of his grief and desperation. But he had made her a promise and not kept his word. She knew of too many men who made a life of broken promises over gambling or drinking. She wanted to save Tony from that, but she was not about to sacrifice herself in the process.
“Please close the door, Tony,” she said, and turned to face him.
He looked like a shamefaced boy for one unguarded moment, and this time it did not draw her sympathy but her anger. At some point that boy had to grow up. It was high time.
“I have heard the gossip, Tony. In fact, I have had to put up with Lord Fairhaven warning me that everyone knows you have borrowed money from me and gambled it away. Can you explain?”
Tony was taken aback. He had never seen Claudia angry, nor expected to face more than disappointment. All his savoir faire deserted him, and unfortunately he looked even more boyish as he attempted an explanation. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the three hundred-pound notes and held them out.
“I did lose the other night, Claudia, but I won back half of it.”
“But you did not pay off any of your debts as you promised.”
“Well…no…you see, I was hoping to double what you had given me and pay you back as well.”
“And now?”
“I know this will sound outrageous…but I was hoping you could lend me more. Only three hundred this time,” he rushed to point out before she could open her mouth.
Neither heard the door click behind them or noticed Dawson standing there with the brandy.
“You are a fool indeed if you think I will give you a penny more of my money, Lord Ashford,” said Claudia, furious at his effrontery.
Dawson cleared his throat. “The brandy, my lady.”
Claudia blushed and Tony turned his back to the
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