A Deceptive Wager (Marriage by Design #3) - Ruth Ann Nordin Page 0,32

head with ideas.”

“You’re the one who has her chaperoned all the time and covering all of herself,” Emilia said.

“It’s for her own good,” he replied.

“It is not for her own good,” she argued. “She’s miserable. She didn’t even want to get married. She was sure her life would be over if she did, and all you’ve done is prove her right.”

“I know you’re my husband’s friend,” Lilly inserted, “and I know you didn’t want to be married, either, but what good is it to make her miserable? Why must you have her with a chaperone and dictate the way she dresses?”

“All of that will keep her out of trouble,” Aaron explained, though why he was doing so was beyond him. Ladies were impossible to reason with. “Maybe your husbands don’t mind it if you take lovers, but I mind it if my wife does.” Ignoring the indignant expressions on their faces, he turned to the footman whom he’d seen many times in the past whenever he came here. “I believe Mrs. Morris mentioned something about my friend being in the library.”

The footman nodded and waved for him to follow him. “Right this way, Lord Northton.”

Aaron resisted the urge to glare at the two meddlers as they whispered to each other before he headed down the familiar hallway. Leave it to ladies to make a gentleman’s life difficult.

When they reached the doorway of the library, Aaron turned to Mr. Stonewall. He waited until the footman left to speak. “It’s not any different than White’s. I’m only going to talk to my friend. I’m not going to do anything inappropriate with a lady.” He gestured to Roger who was rising from his chair. “He is the only one in there. You may talk to him if you want to make sure there are no ladies hiding anywhere.”

Roger’s eyebrows rose in surprise, but he didn’t say anything.

Mr. Stonewall scanned the room, and, after a moment, said, “That won’t be necessary. I’ll be in the drawing room. When you’re done talking to your friend, we’ll leave.”

Roger opened his mouth to speak, but Aaron asked Mr. Stonewall, “You do realize the ladies are probably visiting in there.”

Mr. Stonewall nodded. “Yes, I do. I wouldn’t mind talking with them.”

“Don’t you think that’s inappropriate unless the footman or butler watch you?” Aaron asked.

“I’m not the one in need of a chaperone,” Mr. Stonewall said. “You are.” Then he headed down the hall.

Aaron groaned as he entered the room and shut the door.

Roger went over to the decanter and poured them both a drink. “Here. Take one. It looks like you need it.”

Aaron thanked him but glanced at the door as if Mr. Stonewall would magically appear there. “Are you sure you want him talking with your wife and her friend all alone?”

Roger took a sip of his brandy then sat down. “He’s not going to have a dalliance with them. He’s only going to talk to them.”

“There’s nothing more deceitful than a lady,” Aaron muttered as he sipped his brandy.

“I don’t want to hear this, Aaron. I’ve been understanding about your mother, but I’ve taken all I can bear. I’m willing to talk about anything except for ladies. If you want to discuss Parliament, books, business ventures, things going on in London, or a dream you had, I’ll be happy to do so. I’ll even play a game of chess or cards. But ladies are not something I’ll discuss.”

Aaron didn’t know why his friend’s words should sting. He couldn’t blame Roger for not wanting to mention ladies, given that he reported to be happily married to one. Roger had never seen ladies the same way Aaron did. Since they met a few years back, Roger had looked forward to marriage. Aaron had, for the most part, kept his mouth shut, figuring if Roger wanted to ruin his life, that was up to him. But as he’d gotten to know Roger, his sentiments toward ladies had slipped into their conversations from time to time.

The truth was that Aaron didn’t want to talk about ladies. He wished such creatures didn’t exist. It’d certainly make life much easier. His life, after all, had gotten remarkably complicated since he’d been trapped into marriage.

“I wouldn’t mind a game of chess,” Aaron finally said. “I tried playing the game with some of the gentlemen at White’s, but none of them are a real challenge.”

Roger smiled. “Well, if you want a good game of chess, all you have to do is say so. You