Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 19
Alexandra insisted on taking Janice to the jewelers where she’d apparently seen a gold crown that would go wonderfully with Janice’s costume. No matter how much she tried to protest that she did not need it - not wanting to waste money – Alexandra wouldn’t listen.
* * *
“You want to snag yourself a rich husband do you not?” she challenged Janice.
* * *
“Well…” Janice didn’t really want to get a husband but she needed one nonetheless. “I suppose so.”
* * *
“Good. Now trust me. This is exactly what you need to complete your ensemble.”
* * *
She sighed in resignation. “Fine. Take me to this jeweler’s.”
* * *
With a happy sigh, Alexandra looped their arms together and led her from the house. They took a sedan chair to Ludgate Hill where the jewelers, Rundell and Bridge, were based. Alexandra chattered all the way, regaling Janice with stories of people she did not know and hoped never to meet. She smiled and nodded along, fanning herself gently and just enjoying the warm day.
* * *
Suddenly she looked up and saw a group of gentlemen ahead of them, harassing a young newspaper boy. They were shouting at him and jerking him about and her ire rose. As they passed the group, Janice closed her fan and bopped one of the men on the nose. “Kindly leave the child alone,” she said loudly.
* * *
The man turned and glared at her. He looked as if he might attack her but they passed on too fast. Alexandra leaned towards her. “Oh, Janice. You cannot assume that every gentleman will act in an appropriate manner. You should not have done that.”
* * *
Janice sighed. “I’m sorry. I did not think. I just acted.”
* * *
Alexandra rubbed her shoulder. “Yes, your heart has always been soft. All I ask is that you exercise care.”
* * *
Janice nodded. “I will.”
* * *
They came to a stop in front of the jewelers and alighted from their sedan chairs before walking into the cool confines of the shop. Janice was still not convinced that she needed this gold headpiece so she stepped back and let Alexandra lead. She was surprised to see that the headpiece in question was an antique of baroque design and was instantly charmed.
* * *
“Oh!” She held out her hand to take the piece from the shop owner and tried it on. It glinted brightly against her dark hair and she could see how well it suited her. Alexandra clapped excitedly.
* * *
“It’s perfect.”
* * *
With a sigh of resignation, Janice reached into her purse to pay for the piece.
Arthur walked into the gaming hell, staggering a bit. He and Lord Sarandon had ended up spending the day in the club library, working their way through a bottle of scotch. However enjoyable it had been, he had not lost sight of his goal; to lose the Nottingham property in a wager. He joined a game of hazard, swaying a little as he took his place in the circle of men rolling the dice. The game was quite subdued compared to another close by where a group of young men were coming up with the parameters of a wager.
* * *
From the little Arthur could hear, they were betting on one young man’s ability to engage in intimacy with a certain lady.
* * *
“Sixteen guineas says she’s a virgin in spite of her unorthodox ways,” one man shouted.
* * *
“Nooo. I hear she walks around with breeches and consorts with men without a chaperone. Twenty guineas says she’s NOT a virgin.”
* * *
“But how will you collect for sure?” a third voice piped up.
* * *
“Easy. William here must make sure he lays her down on a cloth that we will provide. If it returns blood stained then Jeffrey wins. If not, then Harrison does.”
* * *
“And how will you get her to lay down on the cloth?” a sardonic amused voice asked.
* * *
“He will have to get her away from the ball. The Carringtons have plenty of rooms in their manor. I’m sure William can find an unoccupied one.”
* * *
There was a lot of sniggering and lewd remarks. Arthur stiffened when he heard them talk about wearing breeches and then now, they were talking about the Carringtons. He elbowed his way out of the circle of gamblers and headed to the rowdy group.
* * *
He tapped one of the young men on the shoulder. “Pardon me, I could not help but overhear your conversation. I should like to place a wager as well. Who is it that you speak of?”
* * *
The man laughed. “Oh, William here is hacked off because a certain lady hit him on the nose with her fan and embarrassed him. He plans to teach her a lesson.”
* * *