Marriage Gamble Read online

  Luke was about to ask more questions when he was interrupted by a stout, elderly man who pulled up a chair, sat down by him, and began to speak in a high-pitched, complaining voice.

  'Frayne, what's this I hear? You've been trying to get Catherine to come back to you. She tells me you've offered to buy her a house. I call that damned uncivil. Now I'll have to buy her one to keep her sweet.'

  Luke laughed.

  'Stanton, old chap, can't you see a hum when it's right in front of your eyes? I have never offered the delectable Catherine a house. And you can be sure I have no desire to steal her from you. We are finished. Call her bluff. She won't leave you until she has a better offer, and that will not be from me.'

  'Oh? Then why did she tell me it was?'

  'Because, as I found out all too soon, she is a lying cheat, and if you want my advice you'll be rid of her rather than fall for her tricks.'

  Lord Stanton glared at him, then rose to his feet.

  'Well, you may have your sights on better game, but if you want to snare the Hallem heiress you've been squiring in the Park recently you'll have to act quickly. Others are on the hunt. There's already a bet between Matthews and Johnson about which one of 'em can capture her.'

  He departed, and Sir Thomas looked at him oddly.

  'So that's your interest in the chit? I hadn't thought you the marrying kind, from what little I've heard of you. Wait a minute. Frayne Castle. Didn't your father lose it in a bet with old man Hallem?'

  Luke reluctantly decided he could not dissemble. Besides, if Sir Thomas were anxious to leave London, he might be of help in persuading Damaris to listen to him. Just in case, he admitted privately, he did not win back the Castle and had to revert to persuading the girl to marry him. Once people knew he was interested in Miss Hallem they would soon be drawing the obvious conclusions. He shrugged. But he would not admit to the gamble facing him. He would be unlikely ever to have to confess to it, for surely he would win these wretched games. Then he could let people assume he had bought the Castle. Miss Hallem would be unlikely to contradict him, she'd not want it known how she had gambled away the Castle.

  'We all have to marry to get heirs. And if at the same time I can recover what my father lost in a crazy gamble, why not? I flatter myself I'd make a better husband than Humphrey Lee.'

  Sir Thomas laughed.

  'That's probably true, though I haven't met you much more than I have Lee. I've a good mind to help you. It would please Mary to think the girl had made such a good match. I'll get her to invite you to dinner soon.'

  *

  Mary, taken into Damaris's confidence the following morning, immediately said they must hold the chess games in her drawing room.

  'You can use the back half, and if I stay in the front to chaperone you it will be sufficient. But what will you do if you lose? Isn't it rather a dangerous game to make such a bet? And why in the world did you refuse the man? He's so attractive and been on the town for ten years or more, and no girl has managed to interest him for more than a few weeks, though a good many have tried. It would have been such a triumph to have caught him so soon after you came to town.'

  Damaris laughed. Mary was jsut like all the other ambitious mamas.

  'I don't like the man, or the arrogant way he made it perfectly obvious he wanted Frayne Castle, not me. Why should I hand it over to him when I have never yet had the opportunity to manage my own affairs? Humphrey is competent, I know, but I have certain ideas for the farms which he will not entertain, he says they are too risky. And I am impatient to put them into practice.'

  'I suppose that is a guardian's duty, not to take risks, but it must be frustrating for you.'

  'Decidedly so. And I am not about to escape from his control just to hand over my affairs to a husband.'

  'But why chess?'

  'What else would give me a fair chance of winning?' Damaris explained her reasons. 'Besides, I think I am quite good at chess. But promise me you will not tell anyone the truth, not even Sir Thomas?'

  'I promise. Now, my dear, I must go and look in on little Tommy. He slept well and seems much better this morning, and Nurse is letting him play quiet games in the nursery.'

  Damaris was left to her own reflections. After a night when she had tossed and turned her confidence had diminished. Was she really as proficient in the game as she thought, or would she be thoroughly humiliated? She must have suffered some sort of brain storm, in her anger, and, she admitted, mortification at Lord Frayne's proposal. But that did not explain why she had decided to risk her home. It was true she had other houses, but she had been raised at Frayne Castle, and loved it. Every room, every field, contained memories of her grandfather, and if she had to leave it she would, she thought, have left him behind. That would be a wrench. So she had better start preparing. Lord Frayne was taking her driving this afternoon to make arrangements, and would no doubt be eager to begin the contest.

  *

  Mrs Frayne had been fretful that morning, and Luke had escaped into his book room on the excuse of letters to write to his man of business. The house, though it belonged to him, had been intended as a Frayne family house, but his father had assumed that Jennifer would marry, and afterwards her mother would stay with her and her husband. Clarence would prefer his own rooms, he had said. And Barbara, married to an Indian Army officer, would rarely be in London. Neither would the Countess, who preferred life in the country. Then Luke could bring his own bride there. It had not worked out so comfortably, and he was still expected to permit his aunt and cousin to take up residence whenever they chose to come to London. They did not contribute a penny towards the cost, and he had to house and feed them, the guests they freely invited to dine, their maids and coachman, as well as their horses. Luckily they did not bring their own footmen and cook, being content to use his and give orders to them. He could well afford it, and knowing they had been left almost nothing of the Frayne fortune apart from a very small income from a trust fund, he did not resent this. It was their presence he was disinclined for.

  In her childhood Jennifer, two years his junior, had been his irritating shadow whenever they met, like a burr he could not escape. As they grew older she had made it clear she expected to become the next Countess. When no proposal was forthcoming her hints, and those of her mother and brother, had become embarrassing and eventually intolerable. Luke had, some years ago, been forced to tell them bluntly that he had no desire to marry Jennifer, but he suspected she did not really believe him. For two years he had been free of them, then Mrs Frayne had informed him that since he was so disobliging and had rejected his father's dearest wish for a marriage between the cousins, a claim he knew was false, she would be bringing Jennifer to town for the Season, since some sensible man who wanted a conformable wife would no doubt offer for her.

  No sensible or even witless man had so far obliged, to Luke's disappointment. He began to wonder how they would react if, by some unlikely chance, he lost the house to Damaris Hallem. It would, he considered with the first smile of the day, be the one consolation in such an unlikely event.

  Damaris was waiting for him when he drove to Cavendish Square. She wore a pelisse in a tawny material, trimmed with fur, with a matching hat. This time, he was thankful to see, it was not a poke bonnet and he could see her face and expression. Today he was driving his high perch phaeton, in a deliberate attempt to disconcert her. Most girls disliked sitting six feet above the ground, and used it as an excuse to squeal in fright and beg him not to drive so fast. Some of the more stupid, heedless of his hands on the reins, had even taken the opportunity to clutch his arm or huddle close to him.

  Miss Hallem merely smiled up at him, and he had a horrid feeling she guessed his motives. She picked up her skirts and climbed nimbly onto the seat, and calmly arranged herself beside him.

  'Grandfather taught me to drive one of these,' she remarked affably. 'But I don't suppose you will permit me to take the reins.'

  'You suppose correctly. I never a
llow females to drive my cattle, they are all too highly bred for inexperienced drivers.'

  'Oh dear, you are going to be stuffy, assuming all females are incompetent ninnies?' she said, and he looked at her in amazement.

  'It is hardly stuffy, as you call it, to protect both my cattle and my passengers.'

  She folded her hands and said no more, but as they drove into the Park he glanced at her and saw a little smile on her lips. The girl was infuriating!

  'Well, Miss Hallem, do you still wish to engage in this chess contest?'

  'Of course. Lady Gordon has offered me the use of her drawing room. We can play in the back half, and she will play propriety in the front, so she will not be present to distract you. And she can deny herself to all callers. When do you wish the first game to take place?'

  'There is the Salway ball tonight, so you will be tired tomorrow. How about the following afternoon?'

  'Any day will suit me. Do you wish to set a time limit on the game? We did not discuss that.'

  He did not answer. He suspected she was being deliberately provocative, for he could not imagine any game would last more than half an hour at most.

  She glanced at him, and he saw her smiling again.

  'Let us say three hours. If we have no result by then we will call it a draw. Is that agreeable to you, my lord?'

  He swallowed before replying. Was she serious, or simply over-estimating her skill?

  'I agree, Miss Hallem. Now, let us talk of other things. Will you save me two dances for tonight?'

  'So that you are not obliged to steal them from Mr Willett?'

  Luke felt a sudden frisson of worry. Was Frank interested in the chit?

  'Frank can take his chances. He was able to dance with you the other night.'

  'But you spent all evening in the card rooms.'

  She had been aware of that? He wondered why. Before he could comment she began to talk about the people they saw, riding or driving. By now, she told him, she had been introduced to quite a number of people. Lady Gordon was most assiduous in introducing her to eligible men.

  'Despite my telling her I have no desire or intention of marrying. I mean to control Frayne Castle and my other inheritances myself, for I have many ideas for improvements.'

  He refrained from taunting her about her possible loss of the Castle, and they became absorbed in discussing her ideas. These, he was interested to note, were similar to his own regarding agriculture, and he admitted she knew a good deal. By the time he took her back to Cavendish Square they were feeling more kindly towards one another than at any other time.

  *

  Mary declared she did not wish to dance that evening, and found a seat in the chaperones' corner. Damaris sat beside her until the musicians struck up for the first country dance. She glanced around, then frowned slightly. She knew the woman sitting on Mary's other side. Then it came to her as she heard the querulous voice. It was Lord Frayne's cousin Jennifer. Tonight her gown was fashionable, though white and far too young for her, as was the style. It merely emphasised the fact she was no longer a girl. The fan she carried was somewhat large, and Jennifer appeared conscious of this, for when she raised it to her face and peered over it, it concealed most of her bodice too, and she would swiftly fold it and let it dangle at her side. And the woman beyond her, wearing a hideous purple turban, must be his Aunt Emily.

  Mary had turned to them with a friendly smile, and was soon chatting. When they told her their name she exclaimed in surprise.

  'Then you are related to the Earl of Frayne? I intend to invite him to dine soon, so you must come too. And is there not a son? Is he in town? Is he married?'

  Jennifer laughed, but it was a bitter sound.

  'Clarence cannot afford to marry. Luke has all the Frayne money.'

  'Apart from your income from the Frayne Trust, my dear Coz.'

  It was the Earl, who had come to claim Damaris for the first dance. He was followed by a puffing Humphrey, who glared at him when Damaris told him she already had a partner. As her dance card was not yet full she had to permit Humphrey to scribble his name against a cotillion, while Mary was introducing him to Mrs Frayne and Jennifer.

  'Jennifer has not yet a partner for the first dance, Mr Lee,' Mrs Frayne said, and Humphrey, looking aghast, was obliged to ask her.

  Luke could barely restrain his laughter as he seized Damaris by the hand and almost dragged her onto the floor.

  'Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could marry off that pair? Then both of us would be free of their attentions. Tell me, is your cousin wealthy enough to support a wife? And a mother-in-law? Not to mention a poverty-stricken but expensive brother-in-law?'

  Damaris grinned back at him.

  'It depends on what level of support your cousin, and no doubt her mother and brother too, expect.'

  'Oh, she would accept any small house so long as she could have a few maids to order around, and didn't have to do the cooking herself.'

  'I think Humphrey could supply more than that. He has a substantial house, and his business, building boats, is healthy enough. He has just invested in another business which builds carriages. He doesn't have a London house, though, and would not wish to come here every year,' she added thoughtfully.

  'Then we must do all we can to throw them together. That prospect alone would be worth any trouble in arranging it.'

  'Are you always so unscrupulous, my lord, trying to control the lives of others?'

  'Only when my own comfort is involved, and it would be greatly enhanced if they never again came to Upper Brook Street.'

  'If I win it they would not,' Damaris reminded him.

  He shrugged and grinned down at her.

  'Would you not be happy to be rid of your cousin if, as I suspect, he wants to marry you and your fortune?'

  Damaris was unable to respond as the dance then started, and they only came together for brief seconds during the movements. Humphrey and Jennifer were in another set, and she was able to watch them. Jennifer looked complacent, and was smiling limpidly at Humphrey whenever they faced one another. Was it remotely possible Humphrey could ever wish to marry the woman? She had no fortune, it seemed, and little else to commend her. Her looks, though plain, were unexceptional, but marred by frown lines, and her voice was irritatingly harsh. Did Humphrey, though, as Lord Frayne suggested, hope to marry her?

  Although the suspicion had occurred to her previously, Damaris found it hard to believe, as he had never indicated any affection for her all the years she had known him. But he was five and thirty, and had remained a bachelor. Did that mean he was especially nice in his requirements? Or did he despise women? Recalling the two local ones she had heard his name associated with, she thought that unlikely. If he did keep a mistress now he would do it secretly. Maybe he would decide it was time for him to beget children, sons to inherit his business, and he might offer for her. When she had convinced him she would never marry him, could he turn to Jennifer? If he wanted a simpering woman who would agree with his every word, as Jennifer seemed to be doing now, he might be tempted. He would discover her strident ways afterwards, no doubt.

  Damaris gave up speculating. Lord Frayne reminded her she was promised to him for the supper dance as he led her back to Mary, and she braced herself for the next dance with Humphrey.

  He was uncharacteristically silent, after asking her how often she had ridden or driven with Lord Frayne, and castigating him as a useless drone who did nothing of any value. Damaris bit her lip, wanting to say that supervising large estates was no sinecure, but reluctant to defend his lordship. Instead, in between movements, she asked him how the business was going, and how it was he could leave it for weeks at a time.

  'I may have to return north in a week or so, to make sure they are carrying out my orders, but I will be back, to make sure you don't commit any follies,' he returned. 'Why has Miss Frayne never married?'

  Damaris shut her mouth quickly. It had fallen open at this indication he was mildly inte
rested in Jennifer.

  'I imagine she is very particular, and has never met a man she could admire,' she said carefully.

  If she could make him believe he was a superior being the incredible might happen, and he would offer for the woman. She considered embroidering on her imagination, telling him Jennifer admired men of action, who had built up prosperous and successful businesses, rather than titled men about town who frittered away their lives, but before she could do so the dance separated them, and by the time they were together again she had thought better of the notion. It would make him suspicious if she praised another female too lavishly.

  When it was time for the supper dance Lord Frayne reappeared. He had, Damaris assumed, been with some cronies in the rooms set aside for cards. She suddenly wondered whether he had been playing chess, preparing for their contest, and her hand trembled as it lay in his.

  'I'm not an ogre,' he said, laughing down at her. 'How do you think our respective cousins dealt with one another?'

  Damaris disclaimed any knowledge, and was thankful when the music began and talking was no longer possible.

  It was only when the dance ended and they were seated at a small table in the supper room that he reverted to the topic.

  'Look,' he said, pointing to the far end of the room.

  Damaris twisted in her seat and saw Humphrey and Jennifer with a party of young people at one of the larger tables.

  'I think Lady Gordon has imagined the same as we have,' he said softly. 'She has invited all my family, including dear Clarence, as well as your cousin, to dine the day after tomorrow. After our first match. I wonder which one of us will be celebrating a win?'

  Damaris was wondering the same thing. As the time for the match grew closer her confidence was ebbing. She had been utterly crazy to give way to the impulse to challenge his lordship. If Humphrey ever discovered her folly he would descend on her with more complaints and threats, including, she was sure, one to lock her up in an asylum. This was, she sometimes though during the sleepless night hours, something she deserved.