took it upon himself to advance Tessa’s position in Society. Only his idea of advancement entailed poisoning three of her husbands so she could marry up until she reached an acceptable standing. The scandal of it all almost ruined them completely.
Until Louisa got it in her head to marry the late duke’s son. Once she’d married Harry, the family had once again been on the tongue of the gossipmongers. Everyone assumed Louisa married him for the position and title that Tessa had not obtained.
“I will see you tonight, then,” Susan said as she walked to the bedchamber door.
As Susan walked out, Emma scanned her list again and frowned. The blank space at number ten still bothered her. The order of things didn’t make sense, but she wondered if it mattered. They wouldn’t attend Almacks’s for another fortnight, and it certainly might be easy enough to get foxed before then. Besides, it would take some time to find a painting instructor.
Staring at the list, she reordered them.
Introduce yourself to a man at a ball
Learn to paint in oils
Get foxed
Kiss a man
Visit a gaming hell dressed as a man
Get banned from Almacks’s
Race a carriage
Break a law
Seduce a rake
That was a much better order, although, as time went by, she still might need to reorder them again. She supposed they didn’t have to be performed in any order. Number four might happen at any time if she could find the courage to ask for a kiss. Or perhaps, it might happen directly after number three because she might need to be completely in her cups to ask for a kiss.
But for tonight, she would set out to complete number one.
Chapter 2
“It’s a good deal, King. Accept it.”
Simon Kingsley stared at the paper in front of him and shook his head. For two years, Edwin Hardy had been attempting to buy the gaming hell, and Simon had to admit that this offer was by far his best yet. Hardy seemed far more resolved than with previous propositions.
“It’s not for sale, Hardy.”
Edwin Hardy smiled, exposing his crooked yellow teeth. “Everything has a price, King. You don’t need Hell any longer. You’re the son of a duke, and wealthy from your father.”
Simon closed his eyes. “I was wealthy before my inheritance, thanks to Hell.”
“Come along now. You should be attending all them posh balls and finding yourself a fancy lady to take as a wife. Not wasting your life away in here.”
“I’m hardly wasting my life, Hardy. Hell still makes a tidy profit, which is why you’re interested in buying it. Besides, I’m still the bastard son. Most of those fancy ladies don’t want a bastard for a husband.”
“Most won’t mind a wealthy bastard.”
“True, but I might not be interested in them,” Simon retorted. The last thing he wanted was a spoiled little girl for a wife.
“It’s a good offer.”
Simon looked down at the number and knew Hardy was right. Still, something inside him refused to think about what not owning the gaming hell would mean. Could he accept the life his natural father had wanted for him? He knew his brother Harry would love to see him in Society. But that would mean giving up the one thing that had made him the man he’d become, the one thing that freed him from his stepfather.
“I’m sorry, but I just cannot sell,” Simon muttered before taking a long draught of whisky.
Hardy picked up the paper and folded it before placing it in his waistcoat pocket. “That’s a damned shame, King.”
“It wasn’t an easy decision, Hardy. I will let you know if I change my mind.”
Hardy shrugged his burly shoulders. “The offer might not still be good then.”
“I understand.” Simon glanced over at the clock and swore under his breath. He was already late, and his brother would not be happy about that. With Hardy departed, Simon ascended the steps to his bedchamber to dress for the ball. As he did, a loud cheer rang out from the gaming room, announcing a winner at one of the tables.
In just over an hour, he alighted from his coach in front of Lady Leicester’s town home. He couldn’t be too late as there was still a crowd waiting to move inside. Once in the grand hall, he greeted the dowager countess and then spied his brother and sister-in-law speaking with Raynerson and his wife.
Lady Leicester always held the first ball of the Season and loved causing a commotion. Inviting Simon gave her the chance to please Harry and spite