To Dare a Rogue - Lana Williams (novels for beginners TXT) 📗

His incredulous and slightly confused expression might have been comical under other circumstances.

Balston Park was home to the Duke and Duchess of Willingham. Upon inheriting the estate located just outside of London, they’d taken the unfashionable home in poor condition and completely redesigned the interior along with the gardens. The conservatory was said to be stunning, made to resemble a forest wonderland.

“Have you already visited?” The thought was disappointing. She dearly wanted them both to experience something new.

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Excellent.” She smiled. “When shall we venture there?”

“Unless you have an invitation, never. To my knowledge, it’s not open to the public.”

“That is a concern, but surely we can find a way around that. They provide tours to a few people.”

“Hmm. Do you happen to know the duke or duchess?”

She wrinkled her nose, not appreciating him pointing out a flaw in her plan. “No, but I refuse to allow that to keep us from viewing it. I shall think upon the problem and gather possible solutions.”

A hint of a smile curled James’ lip. “And I shall look forward to hearing them. I have no doubt they’ll be highly entertaining.”

“Perhaps you could provide a suggestion or two.”

“Considering the fact that I have already fulfilled my promise to escort you to not just one but two places as well as two rides in Hyde Park, I will leave this one in your hands.”

His obvious doubt only made her more determined.

He held up a gloved finger to catch her attention. “I assume I don’t need to clarify that our entry must be of legal means. I refuse to break the law.”

She gave a beleaguered sigh, although the idea of sneaking in had crossed her mind. Did he know her so well?

“Strike anything of that sort from your consideration,” he added with a pointed look.

“Very well.” There had to be a way to garner an invitation to view the conservatory. “A solution will arise.” She nodded with only a small measure of confidence.

“Do let me know when you have discovered it.”

“Excellent. Shall we place a wager?” The amused gleam in James’ eyes was payment enough, for it chased away the shadows. She simply had to find a way to visit the conservatory with him so she might find a way to make him smile once again.

~*~

“Your brother may very well be the most irksome man alive,” Margaret declared as she joined Charlotte along the fringes of the dance floor at the Evanston Ball.

“Has it taken you this long to notice?” Charlotte couldn't help but smile at her friend’s irritation.

Margaret waved a hand in the air, a clear sign of how annoyed she was. “He asked me to dance and of course I said yes. But then he spent the majority of our time looking over his shoulder as if in search of someone else. I finally asked if he wished to stop, and he acted as though I insulted him.” Margaret shook her head. “Men. Is it any wonder I have no wish to marry?”

Charlotte glanced around, hoping no one overheard. Margaret had confided how she couldn’t possibly leave her mother to care for her father on her own a few weeks ago. Charlotte had been shocked, but she understood her reasoning. Margaret’s decision to remain a spinster was all the more admirable given how Charlotte felt about her own father.

She wondered if Margaret found reasons not to like men so her decision to remain unmarried—something that was nearly every lady’s sole purpose—was less difficult. People could often talk themselves in or out of believing anything they wanted to, given the proper motivation.

Charlotte didn’t argue with her friend’s determination to help her mother and understood her reasoning. What husband would want his wife to spend all her time with her father rather than him? Caroline and Annabelle had managed to find a reasonable balance but that was only because Margaret and her mother were home every day.

“I wonder who he looked for.” Charlotte couldn’t imagine it was a lady. Her brother seemed in no hurry to marry. Perhaps he was looking for James just as she was. She also kept watch for Lord Samuelson, hoping not to see him.

Margaret glared at her. “Does that make a difference? Why couldn't he have waited to do so after the dance ended?”

“He should have,” Charlotte agreed hurriedly. “I shall mention it to him at the first opportunity.”

“Please don’t bother.” Margaret tightened her lips. “I doubt he'll ask me again, so it doesn't matter.”

Charlotte knew it did. Margaret enjoyed dancing and since she didn't attend many functions, each dance was special and something to enjoy. “Edward must be out of practice with proper social behavior if he acted that way.” He didn’t attend many balls either though that didn’t excuse rudeness.

Margaret caught her gaze, her expression suggesting she was ready to change the subject. “I would love to know if you have chosen your next adventure.”

“I have, though I'm not yet certain how to accomplish it.”

Margaret's eyes widened. “Do tell. What is it?”

Charlotte glanced about to make sure no one was listening. “I would like to visit the Balston Park Conservatory.”

“I've heard it's amazing.” Margaret’s eyes lit up. “When are you going?”

“Considering that I don't have an invitation nor does Viscount Redmond, I'm not certain if let alone when.” In the two days since her ride in Hyde Park with James, she had yet to discover a way to do so.

“There has to be someone who knows the Duke and Duchess of Willingham well enough to request a private tour on your behalf.” Margaret stared into the distance as if expecting a solution to appear.

“I wouldn't want to bother them, of course, but perhaps the steward or another servant could give us a tour. However, I have no idea how to go about discovering if that’s possible.”

“It must be since so many speak of how wonderful it is.” Margaret narrowed her eyes. “Your father—”

Charlotte raised a brow in disbelief. “Do not bother