Unconventional Suitors 01 - Her Unconventional Suitor (23 page)

Gillian watched with amusement as Mr. Graham faltered in his steps. It was clear that she had flustered him greatly. She waited until they were facing each other once more before urging, “Tell me what he won by satisfying all of the conditions of the bet. I’m wildly curious.”

Mr. Graham stiffened. “I cannot say anything until I have spoken to Lord Straton.”

“Oh fustian,” she exclaimed in annoyance. “Just tell me or I will cause a scene.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I might.”

“Let us get through the remainder of this dance first, can you at least agree to that?”

“Very well,” she relented, though she wasn’t happy to have to wait.

As soon as the dance was over, an agitated Mr. Graham returned her to her husband’s side. “I need to speak to Griffin. Have you seen him?”

“He’s seems to be involved in a heated debate with Lady Adel,” Benedict said as all of their eyes followed the direction he indicated with a nod of his head. Sure enough, over by the refreshment table stood a very frustrated Lord Straton speaking animatedly with an equally annoyed looking Lady Adel.

Gillian gave Mr. Graham a small shove. “Go rescue that poor girl at once and return to me and give me the information I seek.”

It was with trepidation that Mr. Graham eventually did as she bade. Benedict looked down at her curiously. “What information could you possibly want from Marcus?”

“He has promised to tell me what you won from the wager.”

Benedict’s eyes widened, “I nearly forgot. I have yet to inform them that I technically won the bet after all. I suppose I was too busy courting you, then enjoying our honeymoon to remember to discuss it with them. Griffin is going to be furious.”

Gillian’s eyebrows rose in alarm, “Did he wager an absurd amount of money?”

“Oh no, my dear, he wagered something far more valuable than that, but I will let him tell you himself. It will give me great delight to hear it from his own lips.”

They stood watching Mr. Graham and Lord Straton speaking back and forth swiftly, both of them looking stunned, as they sipped their glasses of champagne casually. Finally, both of the men turned and stalked angrily to their side.

“What is this nonsense about winning the bet?” Griffin roared. His dark eyes looked absolutely terrifying.

Gillian sunk back and allowed Benedict to respond. “Yes, I nearly forgot to inform you that I did satisfy the conditions of the bet after all.”

Griffin turned his flashing eyes on Gillian, “Is it true, Lady Danford? Had you truly fallen in love with Benedict before he revealed the truth to you?”

Gillian nodded solemnly. “Yes.”

Lord Straton’s head whipped back to Benedict. “I don’t believe it; you have no proof.”

Benedict stiffened at Gillian’s side, his hand tightening angrily on the stem of his champagne glass. Gillian braced herself, anticipating the glass to break at any moment. “You dare call my wife a liar,” Benedict spit out dangerously, causing all of them to flinch.

She watched as Lord Straton’s jaw twitched, his eyebrows scrunched together in anger. “I would never do such a thing,” he hissed, though Gillian was not convinced. She wondered what he had lost that was provoking so much anger from him.

“Then admit that I won the bet, or I will call you out for insulting my wife,” Benedict commanded.

Lord Straton looked at Mr. Graham who, after several tense seconds, finally shrugged, his face registering a sickening defeat. “We should never have agreed…”

“No,” Benedict said almost happily. “But you did and now the real entertainment will begin. I am highly looking forward to picking your brides.”

Gillian gasped.

Lord Straton cursed, despite the fact that he was in the presence of ladies, then turned on his heel and stalked angrily away. They all watched him depart in silence. Mr. Graham grabbed two glasses of champagne off a passing tray, downing the contents of both glasses in two gulps. “Benedict, please be kind to me when choosing my wife. Please.” He had resorted to begging and Gillian wanted to laugh. She truly had no sympathy for any of Benedict’s friends after what they had put him through, or her for that matter.

“We will see,” was all Benedict said before grabbing Gillian’s arm and pulling her away, leaving a dismayed Mr. Graham standing by himself, an empty champagne glass in each of his hands.

“I cannot wait to see the look on Lord Dawkins’s face when I tell him that I will be picking his wife,” Benedict said with a satisfied smirk.

Gillian looked up at her husband in awe. “I cannot believe that they agreed to let you pick their wives if you won the bet. Did they truly have such little faith in you?”

“Apparently.”

“Whatever are you going to do, Benedict? Surely you don’t really mean to dictate whom they will wed, do you?”

“I absolutely do. I plan on picking the most vexing, most obstinate, most challenging ladies I can find. And they will be just perfect for them, just you wait and see.”

“Oh you are very naughty,” she purred in hushed tones.

“Yes, I am.” He smiled widely as he winked at her. “And I will need your assistance. Do you think you can manage?”

Gillian thought back to all of the embarrassment Benedict’s friends had caused and felt her lips curve into a wicked smile of her own, “I am most certain that I can.”

“Then come with me. We have our work cut out for us, but I know just where we shall begin.”

Gillian gladly took his offered arm as he led her directly into their newest adventure and smiled. She was certain that life with Benedict by her side would never be dull.

The End

About The Author

Ginny Hartman has always loved writing, and when her love for the regency era blossomed, she decided to combine the two, resulting in her first published novel, Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington, which became an Amazon Historical Romance bestseller. After completing her first Regency Romance Trilogy, she decided to venture into other eras of historical romance, enjoying the journey back in time.

Ginny’s favorite thing about writing is the escape it gives her and the people who read her stories. For a behind the scenes look at the creation of Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington, Misleading Lord Martineau, Betraying the Highwayman, To Guard Her Heart, To Capture Her Heart, and Her Unconventional Suitor, as well as a sneak peek at her upcoming projects, visit her website
www.creatingromance.blogspot.com
. You can also keep up to date by liking her Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/authorginnyhartman
.

Besides writing, Ginny enjoys reading and spending time with her favorite people: her husband and three beautiful children. She also enjoys traveling the world with the love of her life and gaining inspiration for her books. She currently resides in Northern Idaho.