Read Online The Duke's Wager by Edith Layton - Free Book Online Page B

I would have danced all the way to the bank instead of having to pay off such doweries. There’s hope in that line, girl.”
    “I don’t want to marry yet,” Regina said calmly.
    “Want to wait till you’re ruined?” her aunt cried. “For take my word, girl, that’ll be your fate if you’re not careful. Too good looking to mope about waiting for a prince to snap you up. You won’t be able to support yourself too well with a bastard at your knee, Regina. Oh, don’t look scandalized, I speak it as I see it. You’re a good looking gal. Even Harry, whom I confess I thought never had a tendency toward such things, has been goggling at you.”
    “Harry?” said Regina with incredulity.
    “Yes,” her aunt continued. “And I’m glad to see it, too. He hasn’t looked at anything but his neckcloth for years. He’s been looking at you, though. Here’s a proposition, Regina. Take it as I say it, and I’ll only say it the once. You can go off to Canterbury, if you wish, I’ll advance you the money. But if you go and don’t make a go of it, don’t come back. I don’t want any soiled goods dragging back here. Harry’s too soft-hearted and that wouldn’t be what I want for him. Or you can try to get a position here in the city, only with your looks, all the positions offered to you will be ones you won’t want to take, if you get my meaning. But if you’re sensible, you’ll hear me out. Harry needs a wife. We’ve got money enough to make up for your poverty. At least, we already know your family. And you’ll bring good blood into the line. And brains. Which, my girl, you well know isn’t Harry’s strong point. Now I’m not forcing you, or threatening you, but I’m making a good clear business proposition to you. Think about it. But not for too long, I don’t want him setting his heart on something he can’t get. It’ll make it harder for him in future if he does. There’s your choices, girl, and fair ones they are, too. Think about it.”
    And nodding with satisfaction, her aunt walked off to find the cook to terrorize.
    “Well,” thought Regina angrily, “I do hope the climate in Canterbury suits me, for it looks like I’ll be there for some time.”
    But when Regina announced her decision to her aunt a week later, the week which she had felt would give her time to send the letter to Canterbury announcing her imminent arrival, her aunt had told her not to be so hasty, to let things hang fire for a spell. Then, all at once, Regina realized that Harry had been attempting to woo her. She had not understood what all the desultory, incoherent attempts at conversation had been, but when on the heels of her aunt’s startling decision to allow her to stay for a while longer, Harry proffered an invitation to the theater to her, she had understood.
    She had not had the heart to turn down his shyly muttered invitation, and so, on this fine frosty evening, she found herself dressing in one of the lovely gowns her uncle had purchased for her.
    “No mourning clothes,” her aunt had warned her in the beginning, “for I don’t believe in them. George himself wouldn’t have expected it, and a fine sight I’ll be in all my bright colors, when my own niece is dressed like a crow.”
    It will be only the one evening, Regina thought, guiltily, and at least he won’t feel like such a complete failure, and oh, I do want to get out of this house for a spell.
    Belinda fussed over her hair for what seemed like hours, patting in little curls, brushing out the long cascading curl that swept over one shoulder. The little maid wore a small, secretive smile.
    “Belinda,” Regina laughed, “Cousin Harry is not the Prince Regent. Why do you go to all this extraordinary effort?”
    “Because, miss,” Belinda grinned, “who’s to say? It might be an extraordinary evening.”
    “I’m off to Canterbury within the week, Belinda,” Regina said. “As well you know it, for you will have to get a new position when I