Her Gilded Prison (Daughters of Sin 1)

“She’s too old to provide Papa with an heir,” Araminta rejoined, spitefully.

Stephen said nothing to this but naturally he did wonder at the veiled allusion Lady Partington had made earlier that day that would refute this.

Yet surely if Lord Partington considered it safe to call Stephen here and pronounce him the new heir it was because Lady Partington was unable to produce one herself. Perhaps she’d been unable to have more children after her last child but refused to accept it.

“If Mama’s trying hard now, she left it too late, didn’t she?” Araminta’s scornful look softened as she transferred it to her father talking to the rear admiral.

At Stephen’s quizzical glance she muttered, “Papa has no desire for Mama’s society. As soon as he can get away, he does. He hardly ever spends the night here and only returns for luncheon.”

Stephen was shocked both by the charge and the veiled accusation. “And you consider that your mama’s fault?”

“Well, it’s not mine.” Araminta replaced her glare with a beauteous smile. “But let’s not talk about dreary old Mama, Cousin Stephen. Let me hear all about yourself and your daring exploits.”

Stephen participated in the lighthearted banter that followed, though Araminta seemed to take most of what she told him a lot more seriously than he did.

Nevertheless, it was a novelty to be the focus of a

ttention from a beautiful young woman, even if she was a trifle self-absorbed and, at times, selfish. She was also young and no doubt she’d be softened by a more maternal side when the time came. Like her mother, whom he did not consider dreary at all.

If Araminta had marked him out as her future husband, he could do worse. It was time to claim a wife and with possibly years to wait until his inheritance, there would be definite financial benefits.

* * * * *

It was on the subject of his pecuniary and, he hoped, only temporary embarrassment, that he finally got up the courage to approach Lord Partington.

There was no point in beating around the bush, Stephen decided, as he accompanied His Lordship on horseback around the grounds of the Grange with an almost lung-bursting sense of pride. In all his wildest dreams he’d never imagined a future as glittering as the one that had opened up before him.

“Where do you live when you’re in town?” His Lordship asked as they followed a meandering brook through a pretty meadow.

“With my grandmother while I look for something more suitable,” he replied.

“In that case you’ll stay at the Grange until something else is arranged.” His Lordship squinted toward the hills to the east. The spires of smoke from the village could be seen above the trees. “Besides, you’ll need to spend some time here so you can understand the responsibilities you’ll be required to undertake one day. Obviously you’ll want to spend a good deal of time in town. You’re a bachelor after all.” He hesitated. “Though perhaps not for long.”

Stephen ignored the questioning look in his eye but obliged him with, “I think I’ll find myself quite content to molder in the country for at least a few more weeks.” He sent his benefactor a knowing look and the viscount chuckled. “Be wary, my boy.” He opened his mouth to continue, hesitated, then went on, “My daughter is a vixen who knows how to get what she wants and if you have other ideas you’d better state them now.”

Stephen grinned. “I’m quite partial to vixens,” he said. “Especially the green-eyed variety.”

Lord Partington slapped his thigh. “She’ll lead you a merry dance and don’t say I didn’t warn you, but it’s a satisfactory situation all ‘round. Her dowry is generous but you’ll need money in the meantime. I’ll arrange for a small stipend that’ll keep you until...something more formal comes to pass.”

Stephen saw his chance. “My lord, I’ve one outstanding debt that needs attending to. ”

His Lordship swung round in the saddle, his expression none too pleased. “Dunned, are you? But of course, why did I not expect it? You’re your mother’s son after all.”

“I hope I favor my father,” Stephen said stiffly. “However last week at Sir Archie Ledger’s house party I was prevailed upon to make a foolish bet.”

“Foolish, eh?” His Lordship raised his eyebrows.

After some hesitation, Stephen finally admitted, “I bet a thousand on a spider and lost.” The flush that stole up his neck burned as he stared straight ahead. Put like this his folly seemed extreme.

“A spider! Pity you weren’t an expert on the subject of arachnids, then, boy.”

“With respect, my lord, I consider myself quite an expert. The outcome was astonishing and, I believe, engineered in Sir Archie’s favor. Nevertheless, the fact is that I lost the bet and I owe Sir Archie a thousand pounds.”

Stephen cringed at Lord Partington’s incisive look. He’d never lost so much in a single wager but he’d been so sure of a victory that would have helped him repay a loan from his grandmother. Not that he intended mentioning that to His Lordship. Fortunately it was a trifle in comparison.

His Lordship settled back into his saddle and said in a resigned tone, “I’ll have my bank arrange a letter of credit. You’re an expert on the subject of arachnids, then, are you? A passing fancy of last week?”

“No, my lord.” Stephen forded a small stream in Lord Partington’s wake. “For some unexplained reason I’ve been fascinated by spiders since I was a child. I had a collection, to my mother’s horror, which I studied endlessly. Therefore I was convinced that, having observed the mating spiders, we would soon see the newly impregnated female devour the male. Sir Archie said this would not occur, that the male sex was dominant in every arena and he would wager this was another example.