The coffeehouse fell silent as Neville jumped to his feet. "At least I don't put my obscene musings on the stage and call it art!"

"At least I don't plan to seduce innocent young women to get back at my father and even make a wager on my success!"

"Only because your father is dead! And don't bother lying to me. If you could get her into your bed, you would not hesitate a moment."

"Neville," Richard said in a low, determined voice, "give it up. Either tell your father the truth or accept his decision, but leave Lady Arabella out of it."

Neville straightened his shoulders and fought to regain his self-control. "And when I have quit the field, you will gladly step in."

Richard shoved back the bench and came around the table, standing so that his face was inches from Neville's. "If you do seduce her, I will find the fifty pounds to pay for losing the wager to you, and then I will kill you for dishonoring her."

"If you would be her champion, challenge me to a duel now."

For an instant, he thought Richard would.

But then his former friend shook his head, a sardonic smile coming to his face. "No. For old times' sake and because I have faith that you will not succeed, I will not. Please remove your belongings from my lodgings while I am at the theater. Good-bye, Neville."

Neville didn't move as Richard walked away and out of the coffeehouse. He stayed motionless for a long moment as around him, the buzz of gossiping patrons filled the air.

Then he sat heavily on the bench, staring at nothing.

"Oh, Neville, there you are!"

He half turned, not at all pleased to see Foz's befuddled countenance.

"I saw Richard outside, but he was so deep in thought, he didn't hear me calling him."

Foz sat in Richard's vacated place and looked about the place. "Has something happen?" he asked as he took off his hat and absently scratched under his wig. "Everyone seems most excited."

There was no sense in trying to keep what had just pa.s.sed a secret. "Richard and I quarreled. Loudly, I am ashamed to say."

"A pox!" Foz cried. "Whatever about?"

"Lady Arabella."Foz's face fell. "About what she said to Richard? Was he very angry? She meant well, I'm sure."

"It was about the wager."

"Oh." He twisted his hat in his hands. "I've been wanting to talk to you about that. I think we should call it off. I shall gladly part with the fifty pounds."

"Because you think she is a virtuous angel?"

"There's that, too," Foz agreed pensively. A most unusually resolute expression came to his face.

"Neville," he said, his voice slightly tremulous, "you must give up the notion of seducing Lady Arabella."

Neville's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Foz looked away and toyed with his hat plume. "Because Lady Lippet has given me to understand that there is a chance... that it is not impossible that I... that is, that Lady Arabella might consider... that although I am far from outstanding, the earl has his heart set on a n.o.bleman and-"

"You think you stand a chance of becoming her husband!"

Foz blinked. "There is no need to sound so angry about it. She could do worse, you know."

That was something Neville could not deny, yet any woman of common intelligence and goodness would do for Foz.

Arabella would be wasted on him. He was no match for her spirit and pa.s.sion.

But if she married Foz, she could be the making of him. And their children- Oh, G.o.d, he could not bear to think of Arabella in Cheddersby's bed-in any man's bed except his.

"What about my inheritance, Foz?" he asked quietly, willing himself to sound calm.

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that. It is rather important to me."

Foz continued to destroy the plume on his hat. "I could give you money in compensation, I suppose."

Neville slowly got to his feet. "I am not a wh.o.r.e."

Foz paled and swallowed hard. "Yes, well, you should leave her alone."

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"It's wrong, Neville, and you know it."

"I will do what I must."

With that, Neville left the coffeehouse.

Whatever he thought he was beginning to feel for Arabella, she was destroying his life. First she usurped his inheritance; now she was costing him his friends.

He was alone in the world again, and it was all her fault."I think he would be the perfect husband for you, my dear," Lady Lippet confided as she poured Arabella tea that afternoon, while the earl dozed in a chair near the hearth.

The queen loved the new beverage, and so it was becoming popular among those who emulated the ways of the court, Lady Lippet included. "He's a sweet boy, rich as an emperor, and best of all, he's absolutely smitten with you!"

Arabella girded her loins to both swallow the bitter drink and provide some reason why she could not marry Fozbury Cheddersby.

"Lady Lippet, he is indeed a most gentlemanly young man," she began, reaching to take the cup of tea and then setting it on the table before her where the scent could not reach her nostrils. "But I fear you overestimate his feelings..."

She let her deferential words trail off in a heavy sigh.

Lady Lippet took a large and audible sip of tea. "Nonsense, my dear," she replied, setting down her cup with a rattle. "I have never seen a young man more smitten in my life! Still, you should waste no time securing him before he changes his mind."

"Is Lord Cheddersby not, perhaps, completely smitten, then?" she replied, trying not to sound overly hopeful.

"Oh, he's madly in love with you, my dear. Quite besotted, which should content your romantic nature."

She made it clear she thought Arabella's nature a serious failing on her part. "But men are such fickle creatures!"

"Given my romantic nature, Lady Lippet, I must point out that I do not desire only that my bridegroom should love me. I must love him in return."

"Perhaps you also require the crown jewels for a wedding present?" Lady Lippet replied with unexpected bitterness.

As Arabella regarded Lady Lippet with obvious surprise, the older woman took another sip of tea, adjusted her skirt and smiled. "Love will come with time, my dear. Or not, as the case may be. And in that case, a woman would be wise to choose a man who seems... moldable."

"Moldable?"

"I mean kind and gentle, and not driven to always have his own way with things. Lord Cheddersby may not cut the most dashing of figures, but he will never be a domestic tyrant, either."

"I cannot disagree," Arabella confessed. "And yet..."

"And yet, what?"

Arabella shrugged her shoulders. "He is not very... exciting."

"Exciting?" Lady Lippet exclaimed.

The earl snorted, and both ladies turned to look at him, but he only shifted, still sleeping.

"The earl is in favor of this marriage, I suppose," Arabella ventured.

Lady Lippet leaned a little closer. "I haven't told him yet, but I'm sure he would approve.""I confess I am surprised you have not mentioned this to him," Arabella said, feeling a surge of hope.

"I wanted to know how you felt about it first," Lady Lippet confessed. "If you were absolutely opposed, I would keep silent."

"You would?"

Lady Lippet gave a short, decided nod. "Yes, I would. Lord Cheddersby is not the only eligible man in London."

Arabella thought of Neville Farrington. Then Croesus Belmaris.

"As for the lack of excitement you fear, once you bear your husband a son, there will be plenty of time for excitement."

"I don't know what you mean."

Lady Lippet looked genuinely surprised. "Surely you are not that naive?"

"Apparently I am."

Lady Lippet took a gulp of her tea, and Arabella wasn't sure if that explained why her face turned so red or not. "Once you provide a legitimate heir, then it is time to think of yourself and... well, think of yourself."

Arabella recalled The Country Cuckold and the many bits of gossip she had heard since, most of it from Lady Lippet. "Take a lover, you mean?"

"Yes," Lady Lippet replied with unusual brevity.

"Even if my husband is a lord?"

Lady Lippet colored a little more. "Perhaps especially under those circ.u.mstances, for I dare say he would have a mistress by then anyway."

"Even a husband as devoted as Lord Cheddersby professes to be?"

"He may be faithful longer than most," Lady Lippet said eagerly, as if this was a great point in his favor.

Arabella was more inclined to believe that this whole topic proved that no man from the upper cla.s.s could make her happy. "Surely my husband will be angry if he finds out?"

"It won't matter as long as the heir is legitimate."

Arabella gave her companion a sidelong glance. "Did you do that?"

Lady Lippet reached for her tea with very great dignity. "That is not an appropriate question."

Considering how few questions Lady Lippet thought inappropriate, Arabella believed she had her answer, hard though it was to believe.

Then Lady Lippet glanced at the earl and Arabella nearly spit out her tea. Was it possible that Lady Lippet and Neville's Father-no, surely not! He was so stern, so moral- He was a n.o.bleman.Did Neville believe that? Did that explain their mutual hostility?

"Well, should I speak with the earl about Lord Cheddersby?"

"Lady Lippet, this is all coming upon me so suddenly," Arabella demurred, "and so many exciting things have happened since I arrived in London, would you mind delaying a little?"

Instead of being upset, Lady Lippet grinned slyly. "Other irons may be in the fire, eh?" she whispered with a wink. "Very well. I shall say no more just yet."

Arabella wasn't sure what other irons Lady Lippet referred to, whether Lord Belmaris or some other young n.o.bleman at Whitehall; nevertheless, it seemed such possibilities would keep her companion silent on the subject of Lord Cheddersby.

And for that, Arabella was grateful.

Chapter 14.

"You have won again!" the king declared cheerfully.

"I have?" Arabella stared at the playing cards in her hand, then at the gold-embossed cribbage board, the silver markers gleaming in the candlelight illuminating the Banqueting House. Around her, many other people were playing different card games, and with different degrees of success, to judge by the sighs, cries and moans they made.

Smiling, Lady Lippet clapped excitedly, as if she were the winner. "Well done, my dear!"

Arabella smiled wanly, for she had the distinct feeling that the king should not have lost; however, to say more would imply that he had cheated for her benefit.

She looked about again and noted that the earl was still deep in conversation with Lord Cheddersby. Or rather, the earl was holding forth on his many opinions. The young n.o.bleman didn't appear to be attentive, for he continually watched her while he chewed on the end of his wig.

And Neville was nowhere to be seen.

With a smile, Charles pushed the pile of coins toward her. "Here, now, take your winnings like a good girl."

"I cannot take the money," she replied. "You stood me, so you should have it."