Read The Betting Season (A Regency Season Book) for Free Online Page B

meal, but thank you anyway.” Then he flashed a grin at his friends’ wives. “No offense, my ladies.”
    “ After you single-handedly saw to the success of my ball, Lord St. Austell,” Lady Heathfield gushed, “I think it would be nearly impossible for me to take offense at anything you could say.”
    Her husband chuckled. “Don’t challenge him, love. Or he’ll spend the rest of the evening trying to decide the most offensive thing he could say just to prove you wrong.”
    “ I am quite contrary,” Jason agreed good-naturedly, belying his words, which only made the ladies laugh. Then he tipped his head to Heath and Lockwell. “Do have a delightful evening, gentlemen, I shall endeavor to do so myself.”
    “ Ah, a planned assignation, then?” Lockwell asked in sotto voce .
    “ Is there any other kind?” Jason returned.
    “ Anyone we know?” Heath prodded, looking as though he already knew the answer. “A certain young debutant, perhaps? One who hides in copses in the park?”
    “ Heath,” his wife gently chastised.
    But Jason refused to be baited by his friend. So he inclined his head in farewell, then started back for the main path, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pippa somewhere in the crowd. She did say she was to attend Vauxhall tonight , didn’t she? He certainly didn’t want to waste his time here otherwise.

    Vauxhall Gardens and Lord Colebrooke! Alacrity bubbled just beneath Pippa’s skin. This could possibly be the best evening of her life.
    She fidgeted on the bench, watching Mayfair pass by the coach window as she, her brothers, and Georgie headed towards Whitehall. Would her elusive viscount truly be there like he promised? Would the fireworks be all she’d imagined?
    “ Do sit still,” Harry complained from the opposite bench.
    “ I’m just excited,” Pippa replied.
    “ You don’t say?” Berks muttered, his brow raised in question.
    Well, of course they weren’t excited. They had seen all Vauxhall had to offer many times over. But this… This was her very first time, and she couldn’t wait to explore the gardens, see the people, hear the musicians.
    Georgie linked her arm though Pippa’s as though to show her solidarity. “I’m sure we will all have a delightful time.”
    “ Just not too delightful,” Harry grumbled. Really what was with his grumbling lately? Berks was much more predisposed to grumbling than Harry was.
    Or maybe it was Pippa’s perception. Perhaps it was just her nerves getting the best of her as they got closer and closer to their destination. She tried to calm her anxious heart, and might have been successful if the carriage hadn’t slowed and then come to a complete stop.
    Elation and trepidation mixed together in Pippa’s belly as the coachman opened the door and Harry bounded from the conveyance. Heavens, she was almost there!
    From the opposite bench, Berks put his hand on Pippa’s knee. “Stay here just a moment, will you?”
    Harry poked his head back in the coach and offered his hand to Georgie, who readily accepted it. “My lady.”
    The door gently closed, and then Pippa was left staring at her oldest brother. “What’s wrong, Berks?”
    He frowned and rubbed his chin the way he’d always done when something worried him. “Harry said some fellow called on you this afternoon.”
    “ Lord Colebrooke,” she said, smiling as she did so.
    “ That name means nothing to me.” Berks heaved a sigh. “Pippa—” his frown deepened, “—I’m not sure what’s happening in Town this year, the plethora of proper ladies’ names in that blasted betting book, but I don’t like it.”
    Pippa wasn’t terribly happy about it either. She squeezed her brother’s hand. “I am sorry, Berks. I truly I am. If I hadn’t taken a sip from Albie’s flask—”
    “ I don’t care about Potsdon,” Berks grumbled. “I care about you and your name. And…” He paused for so long, she wasn’t sure if he was going to continue, but then he sat forwards