The Untamed Earl(75)

“You’d give up your inheritance so easily?” his father sputtered, trying to clutch at lapels that were not there.

“I needn’t remind you that the estate is entailed to me upon your death, but yes, I give it up for the remainder of your life without a second thought. Alex means that much to me.”

His father’s jowls shook. “I do believe you’ve lost your mind.”

“I have, Father. I lost my mind the moment she entered my life. And I’ve never felt better about a decision. Good day.” He nodded, bowed, turned around, and walked directly out the door.





CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Bath was always a good idea. Or so Lucy said more than a dozen times on their way there. Alex had agreed to accompany Jane, Garrett, Lucy, and Cass on a trip to the hill town where Garrett owned a house. Lucy, Cass, and Alex rode in one coach. Jane and Garrett rode in a second. The servants and trunks came along in a third.

At first it had sounded like a splendid idea. The chance to get out of London and her mother’s prying eyes held a special appeal. The chance to distance herself from Owen held even more. She might be traveling with his sister, but he wouldn’t be there. But with every turn of the carriage wheel, Alex couldn’t help but wonder if she’d return to find him engaged to Lavinia. And the prospect twisted her heart.

She shook her head. No. She refused to think such thoughts. She’d foolishly believed she fell in love with the man as a starry-eyed fifteen-year-old, and once she’d gotten to know the real person behind his debonair façade, she saw him for what he truly was.

“Did you hear that Lady Sarah Highgate is betrothed to the Marquess of Branford?” Lucy asked, interrupting Alex’s thoughts.

“That was to be expected,” Cass chimed in. “She was the belle of the Season and he the most sought-after bachelor. Well, Owen’s sought after, of course, but not quite a marquess,” she said, giving Alex a sympathetic smile.

“I wish Lady Sarah well,” Alex said simply. “And I’d much prefer not to speak about Owen, if it’s quite all right with you, Lady Swifdon.”

Lucy and Cass exchanged uneasy glances.

Lucy was the first to speak again. “Yes, well, Garrett and Jane are having a ball tomorrow night.” She clapped her hands. “And you’ll get to meet Aunt Mary.”

“Garrett’s mother,” Cass interjected.

“Oh, a ball? I didn’t realize there would be a ball.” Alex struggled to keep a smile pinned to her face, but a ball sounded positively awful at the moment. She’d wanted a holiday, not more of the endless social rounds. “I look forward to meeting Mr. Upton’s mother.” At least that much was true.

Late that afternoon, their carriage pulled up to the lovely stone town house on the crescent, and the friends alighted. Aunt Mary came hurrying down the stairs, distributing kisses to all and exclaiming first over Alex’s beauty, then how tired she must be, and finally how famished.

Their small party partook of bread, cheese, and fruit while the trunks were unloaded from the coaches. They shared news from London with Aunt Mary, including Lady Sarah Highgate’s engagement.

How is your brother, Lord Owen?” Aunt Mary finally asked after no one had mentioned him. Perhaps it was a bit conspicuous.

“Oh, he’s … well,” Cass replied, reaching over and patting Alex’s hand.

Aunt Mary glanced back and forth between the two of them.

Alex looked away, out the window. She refused to think about Owen, let alone speak of him again. She’d told him she loved him, and he’d punched her friend. The man was an ass.

“I hate to be a bother, Mrs. Upton,” she said to Garrett’s mother, “but I’m exceedingly tired and—”

Aunt Mary held up a hand. “Say no more, my dear.”

In short order, Alex was escorted to a bedchamber and instructed by the solicitous Aunt Mary to take a nap. “We’ll have a quiet evening at home tonight to rest from your trip,” Aunt Mary said as she left Alex at her bedchamber door. “The ball will be tomorrow evening.”

Alex forced a smile to her lips.

* * *

There she was in a gown of royal blue, looking heartbreakingly beautiful, her face a mask of ice. He’d taught her too well. She was laughing, dancing, and flirting with her string of admirers, touching one man lightly on the shoulder with her fan, hiding her gorgeous smile behind her gloved hand, her tinkling laughter filling the space, clutching at his heart. Her eyes were sparkling and full of intrigue and promise. Owen’s gut clenched. He had made her into this, this dazzling young lady, this sought-after prize every man wanted to win. He’d made her into this, and he’d also made her hate him.