“You bought shares in a gaming hell?” She looked up at him.
“Horrible investment. It’s losing money and violated some ordinances. Danby didn’t know at…” His mouth fell open. Damn it all.Danby! Oliver never would have invested in the Devil’s Den if not for Danby. It never would have crossed his mind, But it wasn’t a poor investment, it was all to help Oliver purchase his freedom. He’d even wager the duke was the one who’d informed Hambleton about his ownership. What had he called the earl in that letter?Pious. The old duke knew exactly what he was doing.
“Danby…?” Ginny urged him.
“Is the cleverest man in existence, and I shall never be able to repay him.” He gestured to the letter again. “Keep reading, Ginny. Don’t stop ‘til you get to the end.”
He knew when she finished because Ginny’s mouth fell open and her eyes filled with tears. “You’ve got to get to Highfield. Go right now.”
Oliver was fairly certain he wouldn’t even need his carriage. He could sprint the whole way and not even be winded. But…well, he’d take the carriage anyway to keep from looking like a Bedlamite.
“You play so lovely,” Addie said, sitting on the piano bench next to Grace. “I don’t think I could ever be that graceful.”
Grace looked at the shy girl beside her. She’d said she didn’t have the aptitude, but, Grace somehow doubted that. “You haven’t taken lessons, have you?”
Addie shook her head. “I didn’t want to ask.”
“Well, I shall see that you have them. I’m certain Daniel will be happy to provide any lessons you desire. And in no time, you’ll be playing the loveliest songs your—”
A shadow fell over them and even before Grace turned around, she knew it was Oliver. There was always an energy in the room that came with him, and she felt it echo in her soul. She closed her eyes and steeled herself to see him.
So much for him honoring his word. Disingenuous blackguard.
Grace glanced over her shoulder, and Oliver didn’t quite look like himself at all. He grinned at her like a lunatic. There was certainly no reason for him to look so happy. She was barely getting through each day, and he looked as though he’d just been crowned king.
“A word with you, Lady Grace?”
She blew out a breath. “It is the eve of my wedding, Lord Prestwood. I thought we had an understanding.”
He nodded. “We did, my lady, but the parameters have changed.”
Was he deep in his cups?
Oliver glanced to Addie and said, “My dear, do you mind giving me a moment alone with Lady Grace?”
Addie squeezed Grace’s hand like she was frightened all of a sudden. “I—um…”
“It’s all right,” Grace said. “Go find Daniel. I’ll join you both shortly.” Right after she eviscerated Oliver Ashbee and dispensed with him. How dare he break his word? How dare he show up right before she was to marry Daniel and mess with her emotions all over again? This was difficult enough without him making it worse. She narrowed her eyes on the man.
Addie rushed from the room as though her dress was on fire and Grace punched her hands to her hips. “Honestly, Oliver, you gave me your word. Is it worth nothing to you?”
“Never take the word of man who owns part of a gaming hell,” he said so gleefully, she thought he truly might be bound for Bedlam. “We are truly low in character and should not be trusted, I understand.”
“I beg your pardon?” She stared at him as though he was mad. “Have you been drinking?”
He nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “And I’m fairly certain I will get properly foxed tonight.” He took out a folded piece of foolscap from his pocket. “Did you mean what you said the other day?”
“I always mean what I say,” she returned.
“You said that if Danby had sorted out a way through this mess we’re in, you’d marry me.”
Of course she’d said that. But there wasn’t a way out of the mess they were in, and she was marrying Daniel in the morning. “You promised not to come to Highfield until after I was gone, Oliver.”
He stepped closer to her and lifted the bit of foolscap out to her. “Danby did it, love. He sorted a way out of this mess. Read it.”
Grace opened the letter and began to read. “You really doown a gambling hall?”
He laughed, almost like a Bedlamite. “Aye, and I have a mind to buy several others and name each one after your great-uncle.”