Sin With A Scoundrel (The Husband Hunters Club)

Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

T ina was resting. At least, she was supposed to be resting, but she was a healthy young woman, and in reality she was reclining on her bed thinking about the future.

Her future. With Horace.

She’d already decided that they would have two children—a boy and a girl—named Gideon and Penelope—and they would spend their time between Horace’s country estate and his London town house. He would go hunting in the country, of course, and as she was not much of a rider to hounds, she would busy herself with . . . with . . .

Tina sat up. What would she do to occupy herself? Walking? Embroidery? She shuddered. Embroidery was not her strong suit at all. Perhaps she could take up watercolors. Tina had been well grounded in the running of a household and expected to be busy with that— and children. In fact she was a homebody who loved her family and wanted the same sort of warm relationships with her own husband and children. But surely the important thing was that she and Horace would be happy? Yes, that was the important thing.

Satisfied, she lay down again.

But her thoughts had brought forth a question, and she realized she had no answer. What did Horace do with his time? He had no close family and didn’t have to earn a living, of course, so she imagined he spent his time in much the same way as her brother, who didn’t seem to do much at all. Charles went to a gentlemen’s club, where one had to be a member, but as far as she knew all they actually did there was drink whiskey and smoke cigars and make wagers. She must remember to ask Horace what else he found to occupy himself.

But not tonight.

Tonight was about practicing her skills of seduction at Horace’s soiree. She giggled. Her finishing-school friends would be all agog if they knew what she was up to. She wished they were here right now so that she could tell them all about the disreputable Mr. Eversham. And of course about Horace, she reminded herself hastily. After all, this was all about marrying Horace, whom she’d loved forever, and saving the family from penury.

She remembered some years ago a family friend had gazed fondly upon her and Horace and predicted they would marry. Of course, they had burst themselves laughing at the very idea! And now here she was contemplating that very thing.

Just then her mother’s head appeared around the door. “Are you asleep, darling?”

Tina sat up. “No, Mama. Just resting. We may be very late tonight.”

Lady Carol Smythe sat on the edge of the bed. “Yes. It’s quite an occasion, going to the theater with a Lord of the Realm,” she said, a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh, Mama, it’s just Horace. We’ve known each other for years. And it’s not as if it’s just us; Charles and other people will be there.”

“That’s as well, too.” Her mother fiddled with the pearl trim that edged her sleeve, and Tina noticed she looked anxious. Her own heartbeat quickened as she wondered what new secret she was about to share. “But you do like Horace, don’t you, darling?”

“Of course I do, Mama. He’s a good friend.”

“And a handsome man. You’re not children anymore.” She fiddled with her sleeve some more, and Tina, growing more anxious herself, watched and waited.

“You know that your father is in difficult straits, Tina. I told you so.”

“Yes, Mama, I remember.” How could she forget? The shock she’d felt when her mother had whispered the truth about their appalling situation! And although Lady Carol had said nothing since then, it was obvious to Tina that matters were getting worse. Although appearances were still kept up when they had visitors or went out socializing, when they were at home with just the family the meals consisted of the cheapest ingredients possible—more gristle than meat—and Tina had noticed a growing number of empty spaces on the walls, where paintings used to hang.

Slowly but surely, their once- comfortable life was being eroded away by debt.

And it wasn’t just the material changes: Tina had also noticed a change in her parents’ behavior toward each other—particularly Lady Carol. There was a bitterness in her manner that had never been there before. She was obviously finding it difficult to forgive Sir Thomas his financial blunder, and who could blame her? It was Lady Carol’s money he had lost, after all.

Lady Carol interrupted her thoughts, her voice high and trembling. “I fear we cannot keep pretending everything is as it was, Tina. So many unpaid bills! Your father has managed to stave off some of the larger ones by promising to pay—promises we cannot possibly keep! But at least it keeps the bailiffs from the door. We just cannot go on for much longer.”

Tina was sure her face was just as white as her mother’s, and she suddenly noticed there were new lines about Lady Carol’s mouth and eyes, and the line between her brows was deeper. Worry was taking its toll on the once-renowned beauty.

“But is there nothing we can do?” Tina said. “Is there no way father can get the money back?”

“I’m afraid not. It is gone. His friend took it all and then lost it. Your father trusted him completely, Tina, and see what has happened. We are ruined.” Her mother looked away, her eyes shining with tears. “Your father is thinking of applying to his brother Harold for a loan. Although it is in no way certain. Harold is not the most generous of men, and your father and he have never been close.”

She turned back to Tina, her eyes still bright, and spoke in an agitated way. “Do not tell Charles. He is not levelheaded like you. He wouldn’t be able to cope. I want to keep this awful news from him for as long as possible.”

“Father should not have told me to get a new dress for the theater. We cannot afford it, I see that now. I will take it back.”

She made as if to get up, but her mother put a hand on her arm to prevent her. “No, Tina. You must have one new dress for the summer, and who knows, perhaps you will find a wealthy husband to fall in love with you.” She laughed shakily, as if she were making a joke, but there was no humor in it. “You are a lovely girl, and beauty has been enough to bring men to the altar before.”

“Mama—”

“Horace is a very wealthy young man.”

“Yes. Mama?—”

But Lady Carol was not to be stopped. “If Horace were to propose to you, then your father and I would approve of the marriage. There is no question that we would be very happy indeed with such a match.”

“Marry Horace?” For a moment Tina wondered whether her mother had read her mind. “But?—”

However Lady Carol was resolved to say her piece.

“It is our hope, Tina, that you and Horace . . . and of course it would solve all our problems . . .” She bit her lip. “Oh listen to me! This mess is not of your making, and you should not be asked to fix it. Please, Tina, forget what I said. I’m sure we will find some other way to escape the Fleet.”

The name hung over them like a monstrous black cloud. The Fleet, London’s debtors’ prison.

Tina tried to order her scattered thoughts. She knew now what her mother wanted to hear, needed to hear. Should she tell her the truth? That she’d already begun a scheme to marry Horace? But no. Lady Carol had enough to worry about, and despite their desperate straits she wasn’t convinced her mother would approve of the infamous Mr. Eversham and his lessons in love.

No, reassurance was what was needed here.

“I want to marry Horace more than anything in the world, Mama. I’ve always loved him.”

Lady Carol clasped her hands and gave a shaky little laugh. “But that is marvelous, Tina!” But her obvious relief and excitement quickly faded. “But does Horace feel the same way? Perhaps we shouldn’t get our hopes up too high?”

“No, he doesn’t feel the same way. He thinks of me as a friend.” She saw her mother’s face fall even further, and hastened to add, “But I am trying my best to persuade him otherwise, Mama. Believe me, if it is at all possible, Horace and I will be husband and wife before . . .” Before the bailiffs arrived to toss them out of Mallory Street. “Before too long.”

Lady Carol gave her a searching look while Tina attempted to appear innocent of any whiff of scandalous behavior.

“Tina, when you say you are trying to persuade him to marry you, I do hope you are not being reckless? It is vital that you keep him at arm’s length. By all means give him a glimpse of what you have to offer, but do not let him touch. A man will not buy what he can have for free.”

“Mama, really!” Tina cried, taken aback by her mother’s uncharacteristic bluntness. This was not the sort of conversation they had ever had together.

“I’m sorry if I’ve shocked you, darling, but there are some things you don’t learn at finishing school, and I’d rather you hear them from me than have to experience the hard facts for yourself. More than one young woman has ruined herself by trusting the wrong man with her virtue. And frankly, Tina, without the dowry you might have had, your looks and your virtue are all you have to bargain with.”

“I can assure you, Mama, I have no intention of allowing Horace to take liberties with me,” Tina said self- righteously, while the voice in her head was whispering, Liar.

Her mother continued in that awful earnest, worried tone until Tina felt like squirming. “You are such an innocent.”

“Horace would never?—”

Lady Carol’s smile was forced. “Would he not? Well, you know him best, I suppose. I’m sorry to worry. I can’t seem to help it these days.” Affectionately, she leaned to kiss her daughter’s cheek. “Just be careful, darling. I’ll leave you to your rest now.”

Tina wondered how she was supposed to rest.

Her mind was turning in circles.

What if she was making a terrible mistake?

Was she going too far with her plans to make Horace notice her? Perhaps her mother was right, and he wasn’t the sort of man to be trusted with a pretty girl. There had been some talk about a shopkeeper’s daughter although until now Tina had dismissed that as mere gossip. Would Horace wantonly ruin a girl’s reputation?

She jumped up and went to the wardrobe, where her new dress hung. The cloth was beautiful, the fit perfect, but the neckline was very low. What if Horace thought she was ripe for the picking? It was all very well to flutter one’s eyelashes like a courtesan, but Tina didn’t want to give the impression she would like to be one!

If Horace believed he could have her without the wedding vows, would he let any gentlemanly concerns prevent him? And yet she could not believe Horace was the sort of man to treat a friend with such contempt. Even as she protested, she found herself with a doubt. She’d just been telling herself she didn’t know what Horace did with his time, that she didn’t know him as well as she’d thought. Could she really trust him with her virtue?

And yet what choice did she have but to carry on with her husband hunting? Horace was the only man she’d ever wanted to marry, and marrying him would be the perfect solution to the Smythes’ troubles. No, she had no choice, but perhaps there was something she could do to calm her nerves where the dress was concerned.

Rummaging through her wardrobe she found what she wanted—a silk shawl in a paisley pattern, mostly cream in color, which matched the cream lace on the green dress. She draped it about her shoulders and bosom and peered anxiously at her reflection.

She couldn’t help worrying about this evening. She had enjoyed the scene she had acted out with Richard Eversham, but now she wasn’t sure she could behave like that with Horace and his friends. Charles would make fun of her, and she would be mortified if Horace thought it funny to see his “little sister” make such a spectacle of herself. It was different with Richard Eversham—she’d known him such a short time, and yet she felt very comfortable in his presence. She trusted him.

That is because it is a business arrangement.

Well, whatever it was, he made her feel safe—that she could do whatever she wanted, and he would still not think badly of her.

So what would she do at the soiree? Would she go through with her plans or not?

Tina smiled a little grimly. Of course she would. The simple truth was she had no choice.

“Why, Mr. Eversham, I didn’t expect to see you here!”

All about them the theater hummed with excited patrons. He bowed over her hand, his breath warm through the thin evening glove. For some reason she was wearing a diamond headpiece, almost a crown, and diamonds swung from her earlobes and glittered from her fingers. She was quite awash with them.

“I needed to see you, Miss Smythe. I could not wait.”

He was holding her hand for far too long, and yet when he moved closer, almost embracing her, Tina did not push him away. His lips brushed her temple, and she gasped. Several people around her gasped, too. She heard them begin to gossip, and yet she didn’t care.

“You are far too beautiful to marry Horace Gilfoyle,” Richard Eversham declared, his deep voice vibrating within her in places she’d never paid much attention to before.

Tina placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. “But I must. I love Horace.”

“I can make you love me,” Mr. Eversham said with an arrogance her dream self found breathlessly exciting. His mouth hovered over hers, his lips so close that if she swayed just a fraction, they would be kissing.

“Oh,” she said, although it was more like a moan. “Oh, Richard . . .”

“Miss Tina, it’s time to get ready!”

Reluctantly and somewhat ashamed of her dream self, Tina woke up.