Free Scandal at Vauxhall (Pleasure Garden Follies) by Layna Pimentel Page B

it
is only a matter of time before she is shipped off to the continent.”
    Christ.
There has to be more to this story than what Ashbrooke is saying. “Is there anything else I should know
about Downsbury’s troubles, gentlemen?”
    “Well, other
than your mother confiding in my wife that you and Lady Eloise Morton will be
married by year’s end? I should tell you, several hundred pounds have already
been placed in favor of the match. She is quite fetching, too, do you not
think?”
    Nathaniel
pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course my mother would feed such nonsense
to the wolves… No offense, Ashbrooke .”
    The Earl raised
his hands and chuckled heartily. “I’ll be the first to admit my wife is
dedicated to the pursuit of gossip. More often than not, finding herself in
more trouble than necessary.”
    “Gents, this has
been a most enlightening discussion, but I must be going. I have other
engagements requiring my immediate attention.”
    Nathaniel walked
away annoyed, yet amused, at how easily he came across the information he
required. Though some of the bets made were not in the least bit pleasant, he
enjoyed that the men could at least discuss them with some civility. However, none
of the talk did anything to reduce his anger. He could not shake the disgust of
the men betting on Isabel becoming someone’s mistress. If one thing was
certain, the only mistress she would be was over Stoughton Manor and his
children.

 
    * * * *

 
    Isabel cocked
her head to the side, observing the exasperated expression on her butler’s
face. She had only been home for an hour when callers began showing up. With
each visitor, he politely turned away the lords and ladies calling. They had
all read the gossip columns, and she could only imagine the bets running around
in White’s about who would bed her next.
    Henry
must be turning in his grave . Not only had she
succeeded in further disgracing his family name, but she had managed to embroil
and embarrass another prominent household in the process.
    “What is it this
time, Edmonds?”
    “I have come to
give you an accounting of the visitors thus far—that is, if you are ready, Your
Grace?”
    She chuckled.
“Do not just stand there, go on.”
    “Lord and Lady Broxton
arrived inquiring about your health. Mr. and Miss Turner also stopped by, as
did Lords Avery, Banham , and Stokes. Oh, yes, a Lady
Eloise Morton also came around. She was quite put out when I made it clear she
would not be received.” Edmonds bowed. “Is there anything I can get you, Your
Grace?”
    “That will be
all, Edmonds.”
    He bowed and
quickly left her in peace.
    Good
grief. Overnight, her life had turned into a tragedy. Bad
decisions, lustful temptations, and the uncanny habit of landing herself in a
world of trouble seemed to be her calling in life. Not only was she doomed to
be kicked out of her estate, she would not be entirely surprised if she acquired
offers to become a mistress to some of the peerage. She sighed. Why did the name Eloise sounded so familiar?
Ah! Yes, that damned woman the dowager countess desires her son to marry.
    Her housekeeper
barreled into the room, huffing and puffing, vibrating with what seemed to be
excitement. The floor boards shook, and her silver brush rattled on its
mirrored tray. “Your Grace, he is here!” She wrung her hands and stood on her
toes, excitement plastered all over her face.
    “Who is here?”
    “The marquess . Who else would come? He is looking even more
dapper than usual, too.”
    “I will be right
down. Please make sure Edmonds sees to his comfort until I have made myself
right.” Her heart fluttered. But the fact that her hair was still disheveled
from removing her hat, and the fatigue of stress had irritated her usually clear
complexion annoyed her so. She changed into comfortable satin slippers, pinched
her cheeks until they were rosy, tucked away a few loose strands of hair, and
prepared herself.
    The last few
days had been