“Welcome to the world of the poor nobility,” Matthew said sarcastically.
“Not for long.” A slow grin raised Somerton’s lips upward. “I have a feeling this week something special is about to happen.”
“Maybe for you, but I doubt anything interesting is in store for me.”
“Oh, it will be interesting for me. Lady Mary Greenly will be attending. That is a widow who truly misses her husband. Or at least one part of him.”
“Well, enjoy.”
Somerton shook his head. “You only have a few weeks left. This week will bring you something fortuitous.”
“We shall see.”
“Shall we depart?”
Matthew nodded, thankful for Somerton’s offer to ride with him. Only Somerton knew the true extent of the appalling state of his finances. The gambling debts had forced Matthew to sell all but one of his horses and let go of all the servants except one cook.
“Has Lady Jennette created a list of eligible ladies attending this party?” Somerton asked as he grabbed the valise on the bed.
“I haven’t spoken to her in two days. The only word I received was to make certain I attended this function.”
Somerton chuckled. “Have you rendered her speechless? I didn’t think that was possible.”
Matthew suppressed a laugh. “No one would be able to manage that feat. She will express her opinion no matter what the consequence.”
“And yet, it saves one the necessity of attempting to discover what lies in a woman’s mind.”
Matthew grabbed the handrail as they walked down the cracked marble stairs. Reaching the bottom, he wiped his hands on a handkerchief to remove the dust.
“You haven’t told me how exactly you were invited to this soiree. Or have you decided to sneak in as you usually do?” Matthew remarked as he locked the door behind him.
“Quite odd, indeed. Two days ago, the invitation arrived at my doorstep. Perhaps Lady Jennette thought you might want some disreputable company.”
Matthew frowned. “But how did she arrange such a thing?”
Somerton laughed as the coach door closed behind them. “Lady Elizabeth, of course.”
“Oh?”
“Lady Aston is Lady Elizabeth’s sister.”
Now everything made sense. Yet, he still wondered why Jennette hadn’t added Lady Elizabeth to the list of eligible ladies. She was the daughter of a duke so it stood to reason she had a large dowry. Even with her flaming red hair and freckles sprinkling her nose, she was an attractive woman.
Perhaps he should ask Jennette about her.
“Have you heard anything more about Blackburn?” Vanessa stroked her lover’s chest with her long fingernails. Baron Huntley was a handsome devil, but not the brightest. He would make the perfect pawn should she need him.
“I saw him at Lady Elizabeth’s literary salon.” Huntley skimmed his hand up her bare back.
“Oh?”
“Hmm,” he said, nipping her shoulder. “Miss Whitmore was all but climbing on his lap, making a complete spectacle of herself. But I know for fact what a little strumpet that gal is.”
“Do you now.” Vanessa shrugged her shoulder to get him to remove his wet lips.
“Never met an easier girl.” He looked up at her with his hazel eyes flashing. “I had her at the Easton’s ball. Right in the butler’s pantry. Definitely wasn’t the first man in that girl either.”
Perfect, Vanessa thought with a smile. Once little Miss Whitmore married Matthew, he would discover exactly what he’d wedded and come running back to her. While she wouldn’t get marriage, Matthew would keep her in