Chapter 2
On the Topic of a Popular Sister
Sarah Wellingham, Countess of Trenton, speared her fingers through her husband’s butter blond curls. “Why, give me a glance with those beautiful blue eyes and toss me a sovereign and I’ll give you a tumble right here and now.”
Gabriel Wellingham, Earl of Trenton, straightened at his desk and regarded his wife with widened eyes. “What?” he replied in shock. “It didn’t cost me anything last night!” he claimed in mock dismay.
Grinning in delight, Sarah shrugged. “It’s those blue eyes and that blond hair,” she whispered as she ruffled up his hair with her long fingers. A gold filigree bracelet dotted with sapphires encircled the wrist at the base of her hand. Although the piece of jewelry was more appropriately worn at balls and the opera, Gabriel had insisted she wear it everyday. “You’ll need a reminder you’re a countess now, and no longer a commoner,” he had said when he first wrapped it around her wrist.
Sarah tore her eyes away from the winking blue jewels and settled them back on her husband’s blue eyes. “And speaking of your very best trait, you must know your sister is receiving a good deal of attention, and not all of it because of those blue eyes and blond curls of hers,” she said with an arched eyebrow. “She was mentioned again in The Morning Chronicle.”
The earl rolled his eyes and sighed. “I am a bit concerned about that,” he admitted, “Which is why I’m considering sending the coach to London for her. It would do her some good to spend some time in the country.”
Sarah nodded her understanding, not about to tell him she had already sent a letter to her sister-in-law with the invitation to visit Trenton Manor.
Although Sarah was still the manager of the Spread Eagle in Stretton, she had arranged for Margery Higgins, her eventual replacement, to see to the operation of the coaching inn while she prepared for her sister-in-law’s arrival. At some point, probably sooner than later, Margery would simply take over and run the inn, but Sarah had promised the owner she would continue her involvement until Margery was truly ready to assume command. With a toddler hanging onto her skirts and what she was sure was another baby on the way, Sarah hoped it would be sooner.
“I fear those who pay her such attendance don’t necessarily have her best interests at heart,” Sarah said as she took the chair across from her husband’s desk. Although she had only been his countess a bit more than a year, Sarah had settled into her role much like she had when she agreed to manage the Spread Eagle.
An earldom, as it turned out, was very much like a business.
Gabriel frowned. “You think they mean to ruin her and... what?” he asked in alarm.
Allowing a sigh, Sarah leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Ruin her and marry her,” she clarified. “She’s a very pretty chit, but there is another reason all the young bucks, and some not so young ones, are interested in taking her as their wife.”
His blue eyes widening in alarm, Gabriel shook his head. “Her dowry, do you suppose?” he asked finally.
It took everything Sarah had not to roll her eyes. Although Gabriel was usually a smart man—he hadn’t always been, but that had more to do with blind ambition and youth than brains—he sometimes seemed a bit dense when it came to matters of finance. “I suppose,” she replied with a hint of derision. “Gabriel, every man vying for her hand may only be doing so because they expect their wedding day to be the means to pay off their gambling debts, hire another mistress, buy a yellow phaeton, and enjoy an auction or two at Tattersall’s,” she admonished him.
Visibly wincing, Gabriel slumped in his chair. He had been guilty of everything she mentioned and more when he inherited the Trenton earldom three years ago. At least he didn’t have to marry for a dowry. His inheritance was quite substantial. “Don’t you think she’ll be able to discern the fortune hunters from the legitimate suitors?” he countered, hoping his half-sister was smarter than Sarah implied with her comment.
Just fifteen months ago, Lily Harkins had been a lady’s maid for Lady Samantha Fitzsimmons. The illegitimate daughter of a house maid, Lily knew the identity of her real father, but given the Earl of Trenton never acknowledged her as his daughter, she never expected any consideration from him— nor from his estate. So imagine her surprise when Gabriel showed up at Fitzsimmons Manor and announced he was recognizing her as his sister! Gabriel made it clear he intended for her to enjoy all the comforts afforded to one who was a relation of a rich earldom.
The fact that Lady Samantha had stepped forward and volunteered to take Lily under her wing and see her through her first Season was a testament to his sister’s pleasant demeanor and willingness to learn everything she needed to know to succeed among the fickle ton. Gabriel often wondered if Lily did it simply to prove to him she could. She certainly hadn’t seemed very pleased to learn that she was being acknowledged as a Wellingham at the time.
Sarah considered her husband’s question for a long time.
“I cannot speak for Lady Lily when I say this,” she hedged carefully, “But I do not believe sincerity is always so easy to determine.”
Gabriel leaned back in his chair and rested his head against the soft leather back. “I suppose you are right,” he replied. “And given the Fitzsimmons’ plan to spend the summer in Europe looking for a suitor for Lady Samantha, I’m going to suggest she spend the rest of the summer with us.”
Sarah blinked, rather surprised her husband had thought of such an arrangement. The idea of having another woman in the house for a couple of months was rather intriguing. “An excellent idea,” she said. “She can regale us with stories of her time in the ton. Tell us a bit about the men who may have asked to court her or who have made it clear they wish to marry her,” she continued, her excitement building. When she noticed Gabriel’s increasing frown, though, she added, “And you can decide if any of them are suitable prospects.”
The earl took his wife’s hand and brought it to his lips. “That, my dear, is a capital idea. I’ll send word to her of our plan on the morrow.”
Sarah gave her husband a nod, hoping Lady Lily would agree to the arrangement. But, of course she will. What else is there to do in London in the summer?
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