“We don’t have a bet!”
“We do,” he said, “and it’s obvious I’m already winning.”
He kept on to the house and went inside. He could feel her watching him the whole way, her eyes like daggers in his back. The next day, he had no doubt she’d be wearing a more fetching gown and her hair wouldn’t be pinned in such a severe style.
When Caleb had invited him to the wedding, he’d thought it would be a dull bore, that he’d simply sit in a corner while Caleb gambled with Gregory Grey. But the sojourn might provide some entertainment. He always like to trifle with a pretty girl, and Janet Grey needed his help like nobody’s business. Once he was through with her, who could guess what kind of person he’d leave behind?
He couldn’t wait to find out.
“What do you think of my bride-to-be?”
“I like her,” Caleb said to Gregory, “and she’s much too good for you. You’re lucky she agreed to a betrothal.”
Gregory smirked. “Everyone tells me that.”
“Everyone is correct.”
They were in the front parlor, enjoying a final glass of wine as the party wound down for the night. Gregory wasn’t exactly rushing guests out the door, but he couldn’t completely hide his impatience. He was anxious to get Caleb and his other London friends off by themselves so the real party could begin.
Caleb couldn’t deduce why he was still at Grey’s Corner. He’d visited in order to evaluate the property and determine—should Gregory risk it in a wager—whether it was worth having. It definitely was, but now that he’d met Caro, the notion of taking it from Gregory wasn’t as amusing as it had previously been.
If he let Gregory continue until he was beggared, what would happen to her?
Why didn’t he pack his bags and leave? He and Blake could return to town and spend the remainder of Blake’s furlough together. Sybil would love to have Blake at home for a bit. Why didn’t Caleb oblige her? Why tarry where the situation was so untenable?
The verve required to keep on with Gregory had vanished, but if he departed, he’d never see Caro again, which was a strange problem to have. Why would it matter if he never saw her again? He barely knew her and didn’t intend to develop a bond. Why worry about separating himself from her?
He was worrying though, and he couldn’t stop.
She was prepared to cry off from her engagement, and he hoped she’d have the fortitude to forge ahead, but he felt deep in his bones that it would never come to fruition. If he stayed on though, it might help to imbue her with the courage she needed to follow through.
If his presence was necessary for her to stand up to her uncle, it was a small price for Caleb to pay.
He had another important concern with regard to her. If he quit gambling with Gregory, and locked Gregory out of his club, Gregory would simply start racking up new debts at other clubs.
If he didn’t lose the estate to Caleb, he’d lose it to someone else. Was it better for Caleb to seize it from him? Would Caro be safer that way? He couldn’t decide, and he had no idea why he was dithering over such a ludicrous issue.
“Have I told you Caroline’s secret?” Gregory asked, yanking Caleb out of his reverie.
Gregory was intoxicated to the point of slurring his words, and Caleb couldn’t imagine what he might confide. He sighed with aggravation. “What is her secret? If it’s horrid, please keep it to yourself. I meant it when I said I like her, and I’d rather not hear any awful rumors.”
“It’s not awful,” Gregory claimed. “It’s just incredibly peculiar.”
“What is it?”
“Caroline is one of the Lost Girls.”
“What are you babbling about?”
“You know the ones. They were found on that deserted island in the Caribbean. It’s been twenty years ago, but you can’t have forgotten. Gad, that siren, Libby Carstairs, has the whole city buzzing about it again.”
Nothing surprised Caleb anymore, but this did. He scowled. “Your fiancée is not one of those girls. You’re spewing nonsense.”
Gregory’s sister, Janet, was walking by, and he motioned to her. “Janet, tell Mr. Ralston.”
“Tell him what, Gregory? You’re drunk, and I don’t like to talk to you when you are.”
“He doesn’t believe me about Caroline being a Lost Girl.”
Miss Grey glowered at her brother. “We don’t mention it to strangers, Gregory. You’re aware of that fact, so be silent.”
Caleb frowned at her. “Is it true?”
Miss Grey peered around, as if to be certain there were no eavesdroppers. “We don’t like to remind people about it, Mr. Ralston. It was a terrible ordeal that she suffered as a tiny child. We’ve tried to let it fade into the background, but yes, she’s one of them.”
Gregory puffed himself up. “Told you.”
Caleb was stunned. He ignored Gregory and inquired of Miss Grey, “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, Mr. Ralston, I’m very, very sure. It was a defining event in my family’s life. My uncle and his wife drowned at sea, and my cousin, Caroline—who was only four—somehow survived against all odds. It’s not exactly an incident about which I would be confused.”
“I’m not doubting your veracity. I’m just. . . astonished, I guess.”
“As I said, we don’t mention it, and I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t raise the topic with her. And don’t gossip about it with the other guests either. If they’re apprised, they’ll pepper her with questions, and the subject is very distressing for her.”
“I understand,” he murmured.
Miss Grey continued on, and Gregory said, “You like my fiancée, but what do you think of her now? She’s a deep dish, Ralston. She has layers you couldn’t fathom in a thousand years.”
“You’re right about that,” he muttered. “Would you excuse me?”
“Where are you going? We’re about to head to the card room.”
“I have to speak to my brother. I’ll join you there in a bit.”
“Don’t dawdle. I’m feeling lucky,
