Read Lord Ashford's Wager for Free Online

would marry a woman for her money. Then again, who could tell what his father’s and brother’s deaths had done to him? Weakness in one setting was often a strength in another, and she was sure that he was at his best in the army. Not as the Earl of Ashford.
    “Of course not. I am surprised you would listen to such gossip, Joanna.” Tony’s face was flushed as he made his denial. “I may have lost a little here and there, but my luck is beginning to turn. And I would never marry where there is no affection. I like Lady Fairhaven very much, as a matter-of-fact, and if I did ask her to be my wife, it would be for that reason, and no other.”
    Joanna believed he was telling the truth. Almost. She was sure he did have some affection for Lady Fairhaven. She was also sure that the gossips were not wrong. That flush had betrayed him. He was deeply in debt and unable to come about in any other way than marrying a woman with a great deal of money. For one moment, Joanna imagined grabbing his arm and saying: “Tony, if you are thinking of marrying to secure Ashford, then why not me?” But although her portion was decent and she could expect a small inheritance from her grandmother when she married, it was nothing to the size of Lady Fairhaven’s fortune. And nowhere near enough to save Ashford.
    Tony gave a mock groan, which shook Joanna out of her depressing thoughts. “Look at me, standing here jabbering to you about my problems when instead I should have asked you to dance. No wonder you look bored. Will you give me another chance later, Jo?”
    “Unfortunately, this was my only free dance, Lord Varden. You have missed your chance, I am afraid,” replied Joanna with patrician hauteur, happy to be back in the familiar teasing mode in which she and her old friend generally communicated.
    “A good setdown. Well, put me down for a waltz at Lady Pembroke’s tomorrow.”
    “I will, my lord.”
    “Is it young Dracut who has your hand for the next country dance?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, here he comes. I think I will leave you to him, my dear. He is so full of energy that he makes me feel positively ancient!”
    Joanna watched Dracut approach and willed herself not to follow Tony across the room, where he was, of course, approaching Lady Fairhaven. She turned on her brightest smile and prepared herself for her bumptious partner.
    * * * *
    Tony had put himself down for a country dance with Claudia on purpose. It was very warm inside the ballroom and he was hoping the exertion would make her welcome a suggestion to seek an open window on one of the balconies.
    And indeed, after the dance ended, Claudia was very pink and fanned herself vigorously.
    “It is uncommonly hot tonight,” said Tony solicitously. “Perhaps we could seek some fresh air for a moment or two?”
    Claudia glanced up quickly and then immediately lowered her eyes and nodded her assent. It was warm, but usually couples sought the balconies to generate heat, rather than to get away from it. Up until now, Tony had been very careful with his physical attentions: his arm lingering around her waist, or a slight squeeze of the hand. Considering she was a widow and not some green girl, he had been very thoughtful. But she suspected that was about to change.
    When they reached the balcony, Tony left the door into the ballroom open, and leaning against the railing, made witty observations for a few minutes about the couples they could see whirling around on the dance floor. Claudia was disappointed. Perhaps he had been interested only in fresh air!
    But then he stepped away from the railing and closed the door more than halfway behind her.
    “I have been hoping for a while that you would give me permission to call you Claudia, my dear,” he said, moving closer.
    “I am not sure that would be appropriate, my lord. After all, we do not know each other that well.”
    “Ah, but I do not intend to leave this balcony before becoming better acquainted.” Tony reached