The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) Read Free Page B

resources of a duke.
    And it would not end well.
    It was best to put her completely from his mind. Not all the young ladies at the Remington ball tonight had been young and frivolous, something he could not abide in a wife. He’d already had one demanding, spoiled bride. He would rather see his title pass to some obscure relative than go through that again.
    “What?” Redgrave realized that Bixby had stopped talking and was looking at him as if he expected an answer to a question.
    “I say, old man, you were definitely woolgathering there. I asked if you planned to stop in at Tattersalls tomorrow for the auction. I hear Rumbold is offering almost his full stable. I guess he needs the blunt, since rumor has it he’s deep in dun territory. He does have superior horseflesh, though.”
    The Earl of Rumbold .
    His former father-in-law, the bane of his existence. But not so much since Priscilla’s death. Redgrave had always known the man would end up in trouble. He spent money foolishly and had hit up his son-in-law for coin every once in a while. Even though Redgrave knew of the precarious position Rumbold was in financially, it had to be serious for the gossip to reach his ears.
    “No. I am newly appointed to the board for the London Orphan Asylum. There is a meeting tomorrow that I need to attend, then I will be sitting for the House of Lords session.”
    Bixby grinned. “My, aren’t we the self-sacrificing one. Trying to make up for past slip-ups, eh?”
    Redgrave stiffened. There was nothing he could ever do to make up for the disgrace he had caused Lady Abigail. He gulped down the rest of his drink. “Not at all. Merely resuming London life.”
    “Ho. If I remember correctly, the life you had before was mistresses, clubs, and gambling.”
    “A man changes.” He placed his empty glass alongside him and stood. “Good night, Bixby.” ’Twas best to head in early. Somehow things in London did not appeal to him much, anymore.
    …
    The next morning, Mary entered the breakfast room, joining her brother, Drake, and her mother, who were in the middle of a lively debate. After a quick “good morning,” Mary filled her plate with buttered toast, a boiled egg, and an orange.
    After her clash with Lord Redgrave, it had taken her a while to fall asleep, but eventually her heart had settled down. However, it was some time later before she was able to push from her mind the image of the man’s startling blue eyes and the feel of his strong arms assisting her down the steps to her carriage.
    Is that what he had done to Abigail? Overwhelmed her senses with his presence? Well, this was one Lacey sister who was totally immune to the man. In fact, it was her intention to avoid him altogether. He would certainly not chase her from events she wanted to attend, but with all the goings-on during the Season, the chances of her running into him were slim. Especially now that she had been reintroduced.
    Four years ago she’d not paid much attention to her sister’s courtship, being caught up herself in suitors, parties, and balls. Although she soon learned to avoid a few of the would-be suitors who were merely interested in her dowry and family connections.
    Most likely that was the reason she hadn’t remembered Redgrave when he’d approached their little group last night.
    “Are you feeling better this morning?” The dowager poured tea into her cup as she regarded Mary.
    “Yes. Thank you, Mother, much better.” Mary turned to Drake. “Is Penelope not feeling well again?”
    “Yes. I’m afraid, this time around, things are not as easy for her as they were with Robert and Esther.”
    Mary’s sister-in-law was in the sixth month of a very difficult pregnancy. She had sailed through her first two, but this third child had kept its poor mother feeling miserable almost from the beginning.
    “I am assuming, then, you will not be attending the Rothford’s musicale this evening?”
    Drake shook his head. “I fear we will not be