Read Online The Debutante Is Mine by Vivienne Lorret - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Vivienne Lorret
Ads: Link
Marlowe?”
Jack had learned at an early age that he had to fight for everything he wanted. The lesson had begun with a need to use his fists until he was old enough to learn that money and intellect held more power. Still, a man ought to know how to use his fists, especially when dealing with dockside merchants. “I enjoy a good challenge. Even so, I still have something of a code of honor.”
“Sod off, the two of you. I’m making no apologies,” Thayne sneered. “Both of you take what you want and never bother yourselves with what you don’t. I merely wanted that townhouse.”
“Hmm,” Wolford mused with a sly grin. Then his gaze drifted back to Jack. “Though the statement makes me wonder why you are here, Marlowe, and not frittering away your day at the toil and strife you seem to enjoy. What has piqued your interest enough to bring you here, to an address that is at the very heart of the haute ton you so despise?”
The muscles along Jack’s neck, shoulders, and arms flexed with tension. He wasn’t overly interested in Thayne’s bargain with Lady Granworth. All the same, he felt a need to be aware of the happenings surrounding Lilah Appleton. It was, he supposed, the aftereffects of carrying her card with him each day for so many weeks. His promise to Vale had been to send her flowers in order—he presumed—to assist her matrimonial endeavors. So how could he abandon his task without seeing it to completion? Clearly, Jack would have to stay in her life until she found a husband.
Satisfied with the answer, he relaxed and addressed Wolford. “I was wondering if you’d heard from Vale. Your cousin has been on his honeymoon for months.”
“As a matter of fact,” Wolford said. “I received a missive from him yesterday. I’ll spare the two of you his lengthy sermon on the ideal marriage and how he acquired it. I will tell you, however, that he plans to return in a fortnight. And, no doubt, is prepared to encourage us all to find our own brides.”
Jack couldn’t help but notice how Wolford’s comment landed neatly in Thayne’s lap.
“For you to marry, you will need to learn how to please the ton ’s matrons first,” Thayne said to Wolford.
Wolford’s harsh laugh ricocheted off of a nymph statue and reverberated inside a tall blue vase. “Now you truly sound like my housekeeper. As I have told her, I will marry when I am one and sixty, after I have lived a full life, just as my father did. And I need no one to nag me about my duties before that time.”
Jack smirked. Wolford was not going to make this easy. Then again, helping Lilah might not be a simple task either. Already she’d stated a desire to marry one man in particular. Lord Ellery . Jack knew little about him. As of yet, there’d been no reason for him to find out more. Now, however, there was a reason.
“What about nagging you about a solid night of card play? It’s been an age since the lot of us sat at a table,” Jack said, needing an excuse to glean information from his friends on Ellery.
Thayne appeared to be waiting for Wolford’s response.
Wolford shook his head. “Sorry, old chap. I’ve already given my word to Stapleton. He’s hosting a soiree and a card game.”
As Jack recalled, Stapleton had been a relative of Lilah’s late uncle. Therefore, it seemed likely that she would attend this party. Perhaps Ellery would as well. In addition, Jack knew that Stapleton and Dovermere weren’t particular friends. Which meant that Dovermere wouldn’t attend. Which also meant that Jack could and without the risk of an encounter.
“I could procure an invitation for you, and we could have that game after all,” Wolford offered.
“Though it may surprise you, I already have an invitation.” It was true that Jack did not attend society gatherings. Yet that didn’t mean he never received invitations. Quite the contrary. Jack received a slew of them every day. He supposed it was because, as Dovermere’s bastard,
Jack had learned at an early age that he had to fight for everything he wanted. The lesson had begun with a need to use his fists until he was old enough to learn that money and intellect held more power. Still, a man ought to know how to use his fists, especially when dealing with dockside merchants. “I enjoy a good challenge. Even so, I still have something of a code of honor.”
“Sod off, the two of you. I’m making no apologies,” Thayne sneered. “Both of you take what you want and never bother yourselves with what you don’t. I merely wanted that townhouse.”
“Hmm,” Wolford mused with a sly grin. Then his gaze drifted back to Jack. “Though the statement makes me wonder why you are here, Marlowe, and not frittering away your day at the toil and strife you seem to enjoy. What has piqued your interest enough to bring you here, to an address that is at the very heart of the haute ton you so despise?”
The muscles along Jack’s neck, shoulders, and arms flexed with tension. He wasn’t overly interested in Thayne’s bargain with Lady Granworth. All the same, he felt a need to be aware of the happenings surrounding Lilah Appleton. It was, he supposed, the aftereffects of carrying her card with him each day for so many weeks. His promise to Vale had been to send her flowers in order—he presumed—to assist her matrimonial endeavors. So how could he abandon his task without seeing it to completion? Clearly, Jack would have to stay in her life until she found a husband.
Satisfied with the answer, he relaxed and addressed Wolford. “I was wondering if you’d heard from Vale. Your cousin has been on his honeymoon for months.”
“As a matter of fact,” Wolford said. “I received a missive from him yesterday. I’ll spare the two of you his lengthy sermon on the ideal marriage and how he acquired it. I will tell you, however, that he plans to return in a fortnight. And, no doubt, is prepared to encourage us all to find our own brides.”
Jack couldn’t help but notice how Wolford’s comment landed neatly in Thayne’s lap.
“For you to marry, you will need to learn how to please the ton ’s matrons first,” Thayne said to Wolford.
Wolford’s harsh laugh ricocheted off of a nymph statue and reverberated inside a tall blue vase. “Now you truly sound like my housekeeper. As I have told her, I will marry when I am one and sixty, after I have lived a full life, just as my father did. And I need no one to nag me about my duties before that time.”
Jack smirked. Wolford was not going to make this easy. Then again, helping Lilah might not be a simple task either. Already she’d stated a desire to marry one man in particular. Lord Ellery . Jack knew little about him. As of yet, there’d been no reason for him to find out more. Now, however, there was a reason.
“What about nagging you about a solid night of card play? It’s been an age since the lot of us sat at a table,” Jack said, needing an excuse to glean information from his friends on Ellery.
Thayne appeared to be waiting for Wolford’s response.
Wolford shook his head. “Sorry, old chap. I’ve already given my word to Stapleton. He’s hosting a soiree and a card game.”
As Jack recalled, Stapleton had been a relative of Lilah’s late uncle. Therefore, it seemed likely that she would attend this party. Perhaps Ellery would as well. In addition, Jack knew that Stapleton and Dovermere weren’t particular friends. Which meant that Dovermere wouldn’t attend. Which also meant that Jack could and without the risk of an encounter.
“I could procure an invitation for you, and we could have that game after all,” Wolford offered.
“Though it may surprise you, I already have an invitation.” It was true that Jack did not attend society gatherings. Yet that didn’t mean he never received invitations. Quite the contrary. Jack received a slew of them every day. He supposed it was because, as Dovermere’s bastard,
Similar Books
