Inviting Misfortune: A Sweet Regency Romance (The Bequest Series Book 3), page 1
Inviting
Misfortune
Wendy May Andrews
∞∞∞
Sparrow Ink
www.sparrowdeck.com
Copyright © 2020 Wendy May Andrews
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN - 978-1-989634-09-7
www.wendymayandrews.com
The marquis was going to ruin everything!
Miss Sarah Upton, a well-qualified companion, has one goal: to open a school for girls. But first she must earn the rest of the money she needs by chaperoning a young lady’s debut into Society - to say nothing of the generous bonus she has been promised if she can get her charge well-married quickly.
Heath Felton, the Marquis of Westbrook, has no intention of allowing his young friend to become misaligned with Miss Upton’s charge. When his interference nearly leads to the young woman’s ruin, Heath is forced to prolong his time spent with the two women.
Sarah couldn’t possibly be attracted to the man ruining all her plans, could she? When her employer’s greed forces her into close proximity with Westbrook she has to fight both the marquis’ efforts to control Lavinia’s future and her powerful attraction to the handsome nobleman.
Dedication
In this book, Sarah is afraid to aim too high in her aspirations. But she ends up with a fabulous HEA. This book is for all of us trying to balance dreams with reality. Aim high and soar ♥
Acknowledgements
My books wouldn’t happen without the support of my fabulous hubby. He helps in so many ways – listening to the stories as they unfold, keeping track of my characters, formatting my manuscripts, ordering dinner when I’ve been too caught up in the story to cook, and making me a cup of coffee when I need it. Really just being my live in squad. I’m blessed to have my own real-life hero.
My parents are my biggest fans, supporting and cheering for me every step of the way. I wouldn’t have life without them, nor would I enjoy it nearly as much. They are the best.
My beta readers – Marlene, Suzanne, Monique, Alfred, and Christina – help me immeasurably. Their help with the story as well as care and compassion for the author are a blessing.
Les at GermanCreative keeps making me better and better covers. Thank you so much!
Julie Sherwood’s edits are amazing. Any remaining errors are the author’s.
Chapter One
Miss Sarah Upton stared at the man before her. She was aghast at his words and trying valiantly not to reveal the extent of her discomfort. While he was the most handsome man she had ever clapped eyes on, he had just torn the floor out from under her in two sentences.
“What objection could you possibly have?” she asked in as mild a tone as she could muster. It looked as though he were about to reply when she asked a little more strongly, “And really, what business is it of yours?”
“The boy is far too young to marry.”
“That boy is a viscount, my lord, and nearly twenty-five years old.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that he’s far too young to be considering setting up his own household.”
“From my reading of Debrett's, you are no relation of his. So, I ask again. What business is it of yours? Why would you wish to stand in the way of their happiness?”
“Did it not occur to you that it might be for their happiness that I wish to stand in their way?”
“Not in the least, my lord.” Sarah recognized the sarcasm dripping from every syllable she uttered but couldn’t find it in herself to care. The man was creating an obstacle to her own dreams in addition to interfering with Lavinia’s.
Sarah glanced around the room. It seemed that no one was taking any notice of the heated discussion she was having with the Marquis of Westbrook. They had each managed to maintain a polite façade while they continued their debate. She couldn’t make direct eye contact with the handsome man and still maintain her tranquility, so she contained her gaze to only reaching as high as his chin. Even that was a challenge. It was an attractive chin. And she was being ridiculous. Sarah gave herself a mental shake.
You have a purpose to accomplish at this house party, Sarah Upton. Do not let this overbearing nobleman sidetrack you from your intentions. She repeated the phrases a couple times in her mind while she felt the marquis’ gaze burning into the top of her head. Really, she ought to just walk away from him, as they were clearly working at cross purposes.
“Thank you for expressing your opinion, my lord. We shall be sure to take it under advisement.”
His sudden grin made her blink. She shouldn’t have been looking. She had told herself not to look directly at him. But the power of that grin was enough to momentarily rob her of thought. When her mind stuttered back into gear she wondered why he would be amused by her. Perhaps the man was daft. That might explain his unusual interest in Edmund’s affairs. Sarah reminded herself to ask the viscount for a little more clarification as to their relationship. All the research Lavinia’s father had shared with her hadn’t included anything about the marquis other than to say Edmund’s father had been close friends with the nobleman when they were boys.
Sarah turned away from the handsome man, determined to shake off the encounter, but it was still rattling around in her mind. She supposed the friendship might cause him to take an avuncular interest in the dead man’s son. Perhaps the marquis felt he was indebted to his late friend in some way and felt under obligation to look out for the younger man. But that didn’t explain why he wanted to put a spoke in her wheel. Or rather in Lavinia and Edmund’s wheel, Sarah reminded herself with a tight smile. She was really striving to arrange a happy outcome for her companion. The fact that such an outcome would mean that Sarah herself could get on with her life really needed to be confined to a side note. But the marquis was a powerful man. Sarah needed to find out what sort of problem he was going to be. As she set out in search of Sir Thornton she mulled over their encounter.
“I understand you are the companion to Miss Lavinia Thornton.” When she had heard the deep voice coming from behind her, Sarah had felt a delicious shiver slither down her spine. She never would have thought those words went together until she had experienced it for herself. But the man’s voice was deep and well modulated and pitched at just the right tone to comfortably reach her ears but no one else’s, as though he were sharing a secret with her. But this wasn’t a secret. It was well known that Miss Sarah Upton was Lavinia’s companion. She would never have been invited to such an occasion on her own merit.
As she turned toward the handsome man, Sarah kept her gaze slightly downcast. She had already discovered through the Season thus far that looking at the marquis did inexplicable things to her equilibrium even though they had never exchanged words beyond the initial introduction. It was a strange way for him to begin a conversation with her, now that she gave the matter some thought. Sarah was certain it had been mentioned when they had been introduced. She rather expected her expression was puzzled as he spoke again.
“Perhaps, in your official capacity, you could ensure a message is delivered to her father.”
“Since Sir Thornton is here, perhaps you could deliver your message yourself, my lord.” Sarah didn’t have a good feeling about whatever this message might be and would rather not get involved in any sort of subterfuge.
“It would be better this way, as you shall see.”
Sarah allowed her gaze to drift to the other occupants of the room, hoping for an interruption, but for the moment, there weren’t many people in the small salon awaiting the dinner hour. Castigating herself for not having waited for Lavinia and thus avoiding this uncomfortable conversation, Sarah brought her attention back to the nobleman’s chin.
“I will never allow Edmund to marry her.”
The stark words caused her to stammer. “I beg your pardon?”
“Edmund is much too young to marry. You would do well to look elsewhere for a match.”
“But they have been courting for weeks, and the Season has nearly come to an end. Surely you jest.”
“I’m not in the least amused. Give my message to Sir Thornton.”
Sarah was now uncomfortable and slightly alarmed. This was the first conversation of its kind she had ever engaged in. “Again, I will say, you ought to be having this conversation with Sir Thornton yourself, my lord.”
“I am being generous in giving this message. Edmund will not be making an offer to Miss Thornton. Now you know why. I didn’t need to tell you at all.”
Sarah was at a loss. What could possibly be the socially acceptable response to such a situation? This was certainly not covered in any of the deportment lessons she had received or given. With a sigh, she continued on her way from the room. The marquis was right; she had no choice but to discuss the matter with Sir Thornton. Good thing the knight had agreed to attend this house party. He had wanted to leave the engagement entirely in Sarah’s hands, but she had been able to prevail upon him to accompany them. S he had been certain Lord Algernon, the viscount she had just been discussing, would come up to scratch and make an offer for Lavinia. It would be best if the girl’s father were present to be able to lend countenance to the situation and make it official.
Now it seemed their plans had not foreseen the interference of the marquis. Sarah had thought the viscount’s mother would be the biggest hurdle, but that sweet woman had taken to Lavinia from the beginning of the Season. For that reason Sarah was at a loss where the marquis’ opposition was coming from. And she didn’t see how it could even matter. But the nobleman had seemed quite sure of himself and his ability to put an end to the budding relationship.
Sighing again, Sarah nibbled on her lip. It wasn’t as though Lavinia had lacked for other suitors. But the girl had shown a partiality for the viscount, which was why Sarah and the knight had agreed he would be the best of their options to cultivate.
Upon reflection, it had felt remarkably ill bred to have compiled a list of potential mates for the girl before they had even gone up to the city for the Season. But Sarah’s assignment had been clear. Get the girl married off, and well, without any hint of scandal. Now, there was a possibility it was all going to crumble around her. Even if the viscount could be persuaded to ignore his advisor’s direction, what were the chances that this could be brought about without a whisper of scandal? Thus reducing Sarah’s payment significantly. She nibbled her lip again, glancing back into the room as she hovered on the threshold. The dratted man was watching her. Sarah felt heat flood her face, but she lifted her chin and turned away with as much dignity as she could muster.
~~~
Heath watched the young woman, curiosity and attraction warring with his need to thwart her plans for Edmund. Just because she intrigued him didn’t mean he would allow her to mess with his ward’s life. It wasn’t a well known fact that he still held control of the boy’s money. Edmund had not yet proven to be reliable with his own finances. While they were in Heath’s control, the estate had managed to double in size. Edmund, on the other hand, would have depleted his own coffers rather than grow them.
But that wasn’t the only reason Heath couldn’t allow the boy to marry. His father had married much too young, and look where that had gotten him. Of course, Heath couldn’t blame That Woman for Edmund’s father’s death, but Heath was well aware that his friend had not been happy in the last years of his young life. And it had been all because of Her. It had made Heath all the more determined to ensure the young viscount was mature enough to make a sound choice long before he became leg shackled. Heath himself hoped to avoid the married state as long as possible. He was well aware that he would have to marry eventually. The succession would need to be secured, and he would prefer not to be so old that he wouldn’t be able to exert an influence over his heirs.
The marquis shook his head at his wayward thoughts. He hadn’t combined himself and matrimony in the same thought in ages. But every time he had caught a glimpse of Miss Upton throughout the Season, he hadn’t been able to prevent the vague ideas from flitting through his mind. Which was ridiculous. The woman, while nowhere near her dotage, was clearly no longer a teenager. Heath supposed that was part of her appeal. It had seemed to him that the debutantes were getting younger and younger each Season. Of course, that was only because he himself was aging. But the wisdom and intelligence that shone in Miss Upton's alert gaze indicated she had long been out of the schoolroom even though, from her appearance, one could be excused for thinking she was nearly the same age as the girl she was chaperoning.
Heath had looked into her when he realized the boy was showing a more marked interest than usual in Miss Thornton. The pretty little debutante didn’t go anywhere without Miss Upton by her side. Of course, he had researched the knight’s daughter, as well, but she had been an easy read. Wealthy father, kept from being considered a total cit by the sheer fact that he was a Sir, the girl was looking for an advantageous match. The knight had ambitions for his daughter and wasn’t going to leave it to chance. His wife had died, and he had allowed his daughter to run wild for a few years before he hired Miss Sarah Upton. It was said the companion had performed miracles with the girl.
From what Heath knew of companions, he would have thought the woman would want to prevent her charge from marrying as her services would, no doubt, no longer be needed, but it would seem Miss Upton was eager to be free of the debutante. This, in itself, did not recommend the match. What did the more mature woman know that others did not, he was left to wonder.
It had been far more difficult to learn anything about Miss Upton. Of course, young women of impeccable manners left very little record. He would have to keep a closer eye on her while they were all stuck together at the house party. He found her actions highly suspicious. It would be far from a chore to learn a little more about the woman with his own eyes, he reminded himself as he watched her leave the room.
Heath could tell his scrutiny made her uncomfortable. The few times he had encountered her during the Season he had noticed that she seemed to prefer to blend into the background. She tended to wear clothing that, while unobjectionable, was far from the first stare of fashion. The marquis rather suspected that with the right clothes and perhaps a more modish hairstyle she would be a beautiful woman. It piqued his curiosity. No woman of his acquaintance would ever make an effort to not be attractive. It was one more reason to be suspicious of her. He quite enjoyed the blush he saw mounting her cheeks as Miss Upton left the room, aware of his scrutiny.
~~~
Sarah was torn between two opposing but equally inappropriate desires. A part of her wanted to preen under the marquis’ attention. She supposed it was only natural when a handsome man was present. It was almost inevitable. But another part of her wanted to rage at the man. She couldn’t bear for him to disrupt her plans. She was so close to reaching her ends. Lavinia was almost settled. It would have been a comfortable match, and Sarah’s conscience would be clear. She was eager to be free of her charge. It wasn’t that the younger woman was a trial; she was a sweet girl, but Sarah was ready to move on with her life. She had been with Lavinia for almost two years now. The changes in the girl had been remarkable. All she had really needed was some female attention. Any attention, truly. Sarah suspected any scrapes she had gotten into when she was younger were merely a result of loneliness. But once Sarah had shown the younger woman some firm attention, Lavinia had blossomed.
While she wasn’t the brightest girl Sarah had ever encountered, she was pleasant and kind. And really, Sarah had never met a man who wanted an intelligent wife. Lavinia was fated to marry a nobleman. She would do well. The girl would make a perfect viscountess, Sarah thought glumly, before briskly turning her mind to consider how she could possibly turn the girl’s attention to some other eligible gentleman. It was unfortunate they would be ensconced here at the house party for at least a week. While there were several potential matches present, if Edmund couldn’t be persuaded to desist in his attentions, the others weren’t likely to pursue Lavinia.
Lavinia was partial to the viscount, but Sarah didn’t think the feelings ran deep. Perhaps she could be persuaded to turn her affections elsewhere. That thought made her feel guilty. She didn’t truly think the girl was that shallow. And it was dreadfully self serving of Sarah to be so ready to turn the girl’s affections. It wasn’t such a dreadful situation she had, being the companion to Miss Thornton, but Sarah was ready and anxious to get on with her own plans. And her parting wage wasn’t going to increase whether she was with Lavinia for one, two, or even three years.
The thirty pounds Sir Thornton had promised her would add nicely to the ten pounds she was to receive from the Byram Bequest when she reached twenty-five years of age in ten months’ time. It would do nicely for setting up the school for girls and young women she had always dreamed of running. After the initial expenses to set it up, Sarah was reasonably certain she would be able to support herself comfortably through the tuitions. But she needed to get Lavinia suitably married before she would get her payment. She wasn’t completely confident that her ten pound dowry from the bequest would be sufficient. And she would have to wait another ten months to receive that, anyway.
