Wicked Wager (8 page)

Madame Dubonet drew Penny into the light by the window. “You have lovely skin, and your features are quite refined. With a little effort, we can make you an
incomparable
.”

Penny smiled, feeling uncomfortable. This was likely part of what made Madame Dubonet so popular. She knew how to flatter her clients and make them feel attractive. Of course,
she
was under no illusions. While she might not be as awful to look at as Adrian implied, she was certainly no great beauty.

“Now, we must get started,” Madame Dubonet exclaimed. “Two hours is not long. First we must measure you, then pick out fabric. Come into the dressing room,
demoiselle,
and we will get started.”

She led Penny to a small chamber with looking glasses on every wall. Penny was stripped down to her shift and pantaloons, and Madame Dubonet began to measure her. “A pity that the classical silhouette is all the rage, as it favors the well-endowed woman rather than slender figures such as yours. But with careful fitting, we can make the most of what you have.”

The modiste’s words made Penny think of Elizabeth. She said, “As we were coming in, there was a red-haired woman leaving. My fiancé greeted her as Elizabeth. I wondered who she is.”

The modiste gave her a shrewd look. “Ahh, that would be
Demoiselle
Valant.” She patted Penny’s arm. “Don’t trouble yourself about her. She’s what is known as demi rep.”

“What’s a demi rep?” Penny asked, then immediately felt embarrassed by her lack of knowledge. “I afraid I haven’t been in London long, and I don’t know what everything is called.”

“A sweet young thing like you wouldn’t know, of course.” Madame Dubonet raised her brows meaningfully. “A demi rep is a woman of questionable reputation. Someone who trades sexual favors for…gifts from gentlemen. Sometimes such a woman will only have one wealthy patron. Others, like
Demoiselle
Valant, may have several. If you are concerned that Monsieur Revington might enjoy the company of such a woman, don’t trouble yourself.
Demoiselle
Valant could never compete with someone like you.”

“I wasn’t concerned, merely curious.”

“Of course,
demoiselle
.” The modiste snapped her fingers and a young girl with golden curls appeared from behind the curtain. “Giselle, if you would bring me a bolt of mauve muslin. And the blue sprigged batiste as well.”

Penny’s neck and shoulders grew stiff as Madame draped, pinned, and arranged. Giselle brought several more bolts of fabric, as well as a selection of ribbons and lace that Madame said would be used to trim the garments.

Penny had plenty of time to contemplate what Madame Dubonet had said about Elizabeth. Was it true that Revington was one of many men who’d been intimate with
Demoiselle
Valant? If so, why did it matter so much?

It didn’t matter, of course. She had no interest in Revington. None at all. Indeed, if she succeeded in her plan, she’d never have to see him again.

At last, the fitting was over. As the modiste was helping her dress, Penny asked hopefully, “Are we finished?”

“I’m afraid not. Monsieur implied you needed a whole new wardrobe. We still need to select undergarments. We stock several fashions. Long and short pantalettes. With lace and without.”

“I had no idea there would be so many choices!”

Madame Dubonet shrugged, smiling faintly. “Perhaps several of each style then, since you can’t decide?”

Penny nodded. “Yes, I think that would be ideal.”

“And of course after you leave here, you will need to purchase slippers, hats, and reticules.”

“Of course.” Although she was frankly sick of shopping, she mustn’t lose sight of her goal. She followed the modiste into the public area of the shop.

Marcus was waiting near the entrance, impatiently tapping his driving whip against his thigh. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Penny said.

“When will her things be delivered?” he asked the modiste.

“I will have at least one of the gowns finished and sent ’round tomorrow.”

“Well, that’s finally over,” Revington exclaimed as they left the shop.

“Not quite,” Penny said. “Madame Dubonet pointed out that I must have new shoes and perhaps a hat or two.”

Revington grimaced. “I suppose you’re right. But it will have to wait until another day.”

Chapter Five

Marcus tried to quell his irritation as he escorted Penny back to the phaeton, which he’d left some distance down the street. He couldn’t believe how much time all this was taking…and heaven knew how much money. But he supposed James was right, and it was churlish of him to be so resentful. After all, he was getting some fine, valuable property out of the arrangement, while Penny was essentially losing her independence.

As he helped her into the rig, he felt a stab of guilt. If Adrian weren’t such a worthless wretch, Penny might have married quite well. She was very attractive, and Horngate was a decent dowry. But now, thanks to the worthless Withersby, she’d been robbed of any choice in who she married.

Not that he would be such an awful husband. He wouldn’t mistreat her or seek to control her. Indeed, once they were wed, she could go back to training horses, if that was what she wished.

He tossed a halfpence to the boy holding the team, then climbed in beside her and took up the reins. Before setting off, he cast a glance at Penny. With her new hairstyle, she looked quite appealing. If he had to marry, he could do much worse. He was really coming off quite well in this. Under the circumstances, the least he could do to buy her a few new things.

****

Was her plan working?
Penny couldn’t tell. Although Revington appeared quite irritated at the shop, the look he just shot her wasn’t one of aggravation or distress. Indeed, there’d been a kind of longing in his expression.

What would she do if she couldn’t dissuade him from marrying her? She might have to consider the possibility. Not only was he clearly a stubborn, determined man, but despite all her efforts, he didn’t seem averse to her company. She should never have had Maggie do her hair. That was a mistake. All these clothes she’d just been fitted for wouldn’t help either. Madame Dubonet obviously knew what she was doing; Penny’s new garments would make her appear as attractive as possible. She should have stuck to her original plan and retained the look of a gauche, disheveled country maiden. Somewhere she’d gotten off track. She’d have to think of a new plan.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that before she knew it, Revington was helping her down from the phaeton. “By the way,” he said as they started up the brick walkway to the house, “I asked James to find a clergyman to marry us. That way, as soon as your new wardrobe is finished, we can have the wedding and everything will be settled.”

Penny nodded politely, although the news hardly pleased her.
It looks like my wretch of a cousin is going to get his way!

As soon as they entered the townhouse, Bowes announced, “Mr. Ludingham is waiting in the drawing room.”

Turning to her, Revington said, “I’m certain you’re tired from shopping. Why don’t you rest until dinner?”

“Of course.”

Upstairs, she sat on the bed and tried to sort out her thoughts. Somehow she had to find out more about her future husband and what motivated him. A sudden thought came to her. It was rather audacious, but it seemed like the only way to learn more about Revington.

After changing from the sensible half-boots she’d worn to go shopping into a worn pair of slippers, she crept down the stairs. She glanced around for Bowes and then made her way to the doorway of the drawing room. From here, she could just barely hear Revington and James’s conversation.

“As soon as the wedding is over, I’m heading to Horngate,” Revington was saying. “Things looked fairly well kept, but I’d like to make some improvements to the house.”

“You intend to reside there?” James asked. “What about making a living? The deep players are here in London. Horngate is quite isolated. Even in the village, I doubt you’ll find many men willing to play cards for money. If you do, there’ll not be much for you to win.”

“I’ve been frugal these last few years. I’ve enough saved up to live on for a while, even if I make some improvements to Horngate. Also, this horse-breeding business might potentially be very lucrative.”

Penny could barely suppress her gasp of dismay. Bad enough that Revington planned to reside at Horngate, but to learn he wanted to involve himself with the horse business outraged her.
Whatever was she to do?

“Really, Marcus, I never saw you as a country squire. I truly don’t understand what’s got into you. Why would you want to give up your comfortable life here in London to live out in the sticks and raise horses?”

“My ‘comfortable life’ here in London has gotten quite boring the past few years. The men I spend time with are usually fools like Adrian Withersby, hardly the wittiest or most accomplished members of society.”

“I see,” James said, sarcastically. “You’re moving to the country because you seek intellectual stimulation. I’m sure you’ll find the horses at Horngate an endless source of intelligent conversation.”

Penny couldn’t help smiling. Revington’s reasoning did seem rather flawed.

But his response was crisp and confident. “I’m sure a successful horse-breeding operation requires much serious effort and planning. Although I know gentlemen are supposed to be above such things, I actually savor the idea of doing real work and facing a challenge greater than guessing what card my opponent will play.”

“Gads, don’t let anyone in your current circle know you feel this way. Real work—the idea is quite appalling.”

Penny couldn’t tell if James’s horror was real or feigned. But Revington was clearly serious. So far, she hadn’t known him to jest or make jokes. She’d expected Revington to be a typical shallow and self-involved nobleman—what Tad and the other stablemen called a “swell”. In fact, he appeared to be cut from a different sort of cloth altogether.

“I don’t give a damn what people think,” Revington said. “I have little respect for most members of the
ton
. They’re a bunch of overgrown boys and top-lofty blowhards. Of course, my cynical attitude probably results from the circumstances in which I associate with them. Gambling doesn’t tend to bring out the best in people.”

“It’s probably just as well you have no concern for your social standing,” responded James, “since you’re marrying Miss Montgomery and someone like her is unlikely to attract positive notice from the old tabbies and snobbish matrons who dictate who is worthy of acclaim.”

“I’m not convinced Penny would be an utter failure in Society. I suspect if she was properly turned out, she might surprise you. This morning, Maggie curled her hair, and the result was rather startling. Penny looked like a different woman, and a strikingly pretty one at that.”

At Revington’s words, conflicting emotions flared inside her. While gratified to think he found her attractive, improving her appearance might well work against her best interests.

“It sounds as if you’re becoming rather fond of Miss Montgomery. For all that this marriage began as business transaction, perhaps it will end up being a love match.”

“Love!” Revington gave a harsh laugh. “Tell me, James, do you know any marriages that are love matches? At any rate, I’m certainly not the sort for such foolishness. There’s as much likelihood I’ll fall in love with Miss Montgomery as there is I’ll become enamored of the orange girl who sells her wares on the corner.”

“Well, my parents were fond of each other. And I think there’s something to be said for having a
tendre
for one’s spouse. I hope to at least
like
the woman I marry.”

“I see you’ve added another requirement to your long, long list of the attributes your future wife must possess. I can’t wait to meet this paragon, James. I doubt there’s a woman in London who’ll measure up to your standards.”

“Well, then, perhaps I’ll remain unwed,” James responded.

“Perhaps you will,” Revington agreed. “Or perhaps your natural tendency for romance will induce you to fall in love with a woman who’s nothing like your paragon.”

“My natural tendency for romance? I can’t think what you mean.”

“You insist I’ll come to care for Penny. But it’s really nothing more than a business arrangement. I’d never even have looked at her if it weren’t for Horngate. The property is what I desire, not the woman.”

“Is that so?” said James. “If you’re so certain, then there’s no reason not to make a wager. I’m not normally a gamester, but I’d be willing to bet that if you spend one month in London with Penny, you’ll fall in love with her.”

“One month?” Revington let out a groan. “That will seem like an eternity! What the devil are you offering that would possibly make me endure such a trial?”

“If you end up going through with this and residing at Horngate, you’ll need someone in London to look after your business interests. I’d be willing to do that, at no cost to you.”

“It’s true I’d need someone to keep an eye on things here. I’d have to continue to rent this house, so I’d have somewhere to stay when I did come to the city. And there are the other investments that would need looking after. I suppose it would be worth my while to agree to this nonsense, especially since I’m quite certain I’ll win. But what about you, James? If I should somehow manage to lose this ridiculous wager, what do you want in exchange?”

“That’s simple enough. If you come to care for Miss Montgomery, you must forgive her cousin’s debt and release her from any commitment to marry you.”

“But that’s absurd! If I were to—perish the thought—actually fall in love with her, then there would be no reason for us
not
to be wed!”

“Unless she doesn’t want to marry
you
. It would be her decision then, you see.”

“I don’t understand, James. What the devil are you up to?”

“I just want to make things fair for Miss Montgomery. She’s been a helpless pawn in this whole business. I want to make certain she has a say in her future.”

“Why? Unless you’re in love with her yourself, in which case we have a real problem, as I’m not about to give up Horngate. Even for you!”