Spinster's Gambit (30 page)
Authors: Gwendolynn Thomas
“Let them all stare,” Aspen repeated. Jac’s eyes narrowed at him and he glanced pointedly toward where Daniel stood in the corner, whispering into Mr. Henry Charington’s ear. Those who were not staring at the new Duchess of Aspen were gaping at her brother. They would say nothing and Daniel clearly knew it. Lord Daniel Holcombe was now a duke’s brother. Mr. Henry Charington laughed heartedly, the sound carrying over the room’s quiet music. Lord Monson crossed the room to join their conversation, eager to reingratiate himself. Jacoline turned back to him, relief and happiness blooming in her green eyes. Aspen gazed down at her, wishing they were alone so he could kiss her and get her out of her gown.
“Shall we, Your Grace?” he suggested, taking her hand for the waltz.
“We shall,” she answered and Aspen stepped forward into the dance.
The End
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Draft Excerpt From Daniel & Henry
Daniel jerked to a stop, his body halfway through the door of Mrs. Clap's coffee shop. Mr. Henry Charington was sitting at one of the small glass tables, lifting his hand to get a waitress’s attention. Henry Charington was one of England's most successful merchants, though what he traded in had long since slipped Daniel's mind. Rumor had it the man had recently been making rather desperate attempts to mingle in aristocratic circles, though he'd shown little interest before.
What the devil is he doing here?
Daniel stepped back, hoping to go unseen and heard the little bell strapped to the top of the door jingle cheerfully. Daniel took another slow step back, hoping to escape, but Mr. Charington’s gaze darted over, catching the movement, and he met Daniel’s eyes. His gaze widened. Daniel felt whatever blood left in his face drain out of it, leaving him staring into the mostly empty room. Mr. Charington stood up from his table slowly, putting his napkin down beside his plate, and for a moment Daniel wanted to snort at how they looked, standing and staring at each other from ten paces apart – like two fools before a duel - in the entrance of one of London's better known meeting places for sodomites.
“Ah, Mr. Charington,” Daniel greeted, hoping his smile did not come off as a grimace. There was nothing for it but to greet him now. They had never been introduced but that was hardly pertinent, standing in the middle of a molly house. A man in women’s garb sat at a table with a gentleman, taking tea by the carefully curtained window. “Could you be so good as to tell me how to get to Kensington Square?”
That’s it, precisely. I came into a random shop for directions; that’s all. I have no notion of the illegal purpose of this fine coffee establishment.
“Yes! Yes, I am afraid I cannot help you. I came in here for directions myself and -” the man glanced down at the empty teacup still at his table. “-and stopped for some tea. It’s lovely here. Do..you..think..” the man trailed off, looking vaguely confused and blushing into his hair.
Daniel wanted to bury his face in his hands. Yes, clearly they
both
came into Mother Clap’s coffee shop for the express purpose of going somewhere else. If only he didn’t blush, this could still be salvaged. Mr. Charington was obviously aware of the place’s nature but Daniel certainly didn’t need to be. He was a stereotypical, properly-inclined sexual nobleman. Daniel felt his blush spread from his ears down to his neck and cursed himself.
Right.
Mr. Charington cleared his throat and drew a hand over his hair, his cup rattling in its saucer with his movements.
“Well. Kensington Square is two blocks further on, if you take a right at Green Street. Just.. just there,” Mr. Charington stated, pointing out of the window beside him, though its yellow curtains were pulled shut. They'd attracted the attention of the other patrons.
Right.
Daniel bowed swiftly and left.
He blushed all the way to his coach.
“Lady Plainsworth’s, please,” he told Harold, his very stoic, very well paid coachman. Harold closed the door behind him, not commenting on the unexpectedly short visit. Daniel sighed, forcing his heart to calm.
He rested his head on the bench back and breathed out slowly. It was surely inevitable, being caught out. And it had happened in the best possible way. Mr. Henry Charington was an extraordinarily rich man with business ties across the world but he did not have the social standing to ruin him. And more, he did not have the motivation. No, Mr. Charington was as steeped in this crime as he was, quite likely more so. Daniel had done nothing more than step into a coffee house surrounded by men who would not revile him for his attraction. That was hardly the definition of sodomy as the law knew it. There was, at least, no reason for fear.
A jolt from the road sent Daniel’s head slamming up onto the coach ceiling.
“Oh, bugger,” he groused, rubbing his head and looking out at the passing city. The pain faded quickly and Daniel sighed, amusement starting to hit him. Christ but Mr. Henry Charington was an awkward fellow.
Draft Excerpt from Lady Eleanor Plainsworth
"Of course the Barkaman tea is a good investment. The boxes are so
quaint,
" Eleanor said, resting her fingers lightly on her fiancé's arm. The Duke of Mariton sighed and rested his own hand over hers, ignoring her comment. A mistake, Eleanor thought. The Barkaman name truly was improving and they were due to purchase two new ships. They'd barely gone three steps farther in their walk through his gardens before she spoke again.
"Oh,
do
look at those topiaries just there. Did your mother order them? They are lovely, but of course the beak of that popinjay is just dreadfully done," she criticized, keeping her voice as cheerful as she could.
"What do popinjay beaks look like then?" the Duke's brother, Lord Charles, asked in obviously feigned curiosity.
"I'm glad you asked, Charles, I did wonder myself," His Grace lied, patting her arm and flashing his brother a grateful look. Eleanor bit her lip, wanting to scold them both for mocking her, even if she was making a credible impression of an idiot. Society did not celebrate intimidating women - it wanted charming ones. And 'charming' she could be.
"Oh, well, I'm not sure, I must confess. I must ask my gardener when I get home," she said instead and wandered toward the rose bushes growing beside the walk. The Duchess of Mariton grew the most incredible plants.
"You don't have to marry her, you realize." Lord Charles' voice floated back to her on the light breeze. Eleanor straightened slowly. That she was certainly not meant to hear.
"Who said I did not wish to marry her? She is the darling of the
ton,
" her fiancé replied, sounding affronted. Eleanor moved to catch up with them, grateful for his defense. They were not romantic, no, but she knew they would grow fond of each other in time. "I'll marry her, wrap her in silks and jewels and whatever else and live my life," he added, sounding like he was trying to sound happy about it.
"Why bother getting married at all? You're evidently not romantic," Lord Charles asked. Eleanor slowed her pace, suddenly desperate for that answer. Why had she never been asked that? Why had she never asked
herself
that?
"I have no grounds to break my engagement," the Duke muttered.
Neither do I,
Eleanor thought, pausing halfway through a step. Lord Charles shot her fiancé a surprised, worried look.
"And no desire to," the Duke added, but Eleanor was willing to bet most of her dowry that he was lying to himself. She hastened to catch up, making as much noise about it as she could, and the conversation ended.
"Those roses are gorgeous. I must tell your mother," she said, taking the Duke's arm again. He patted her hand idly, not answering, apparently lost in thought.
Was this all her marriage would be?
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Gwendolynn Thomas grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Boston despite an intense hatred of cold. Due to a strange series of events, she is trained in basic falconry, certified to operate a forklift, and speaks American Sign Language. In her spare time, Gwendolynn is 5'5'' tall and enjoys philosophy, pole dancing, and jigsaw puzzles.
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Table of Contents
Chapter Two
Chapter Fourteen
Daniel & Henry Intro
Lady Eleanor
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