Best Laid Plans (A Gentleman of Misfortune, Book 2)

Chapter Eight

It was well into the afternoon when I finally woke with the worst headache I'd ever had. Too much drink the previous evening was the obvious cause, though I'd done my best not to let that happen. Perhaps I did not know my limits as well as I'd thought I did.

For the first time in a long time, I wished I had a valet to look after me. Maybe it was time to look into hiring someone, as long as he was not the overbearing, disapproving type my father favored. I didn't need more judgment in my life.

The water was cold in the pitcher but it managed to wake me up. By the time I finished my ablutions, which took longer than any other day, I was feeling more myself. The thought of eating, however, turned my stomach.

Had I really won an estate? I found the note from Dunbar on my table, so I knew I hadn't dreamed that part. Remembering Ward's advice, I penned a message, offering to sell it back to the man I'd won it from.

As I left my room, I wondered if Ward had already left to go about his day. I wouldn't have been surprised as he seemed to be more of an expert on the matter. The more I thought about it, the more I was sure he'd been the one to help me up the stairs and then put me into my bed.

I wasn't expected anywhere, as far as I knew, so I left the inn to take in some fresh air. The sun was a bit bright for my taste, making my head pound even more. Still, the more I moved, the better I began to feel.

If Dunbar refused to buy back the estate, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. Ward had given me some good suggestions, almost as though he'd dealt with a similar situation before. Maybe he had? He gambled enough for anything to be possible.

How was I going to explain I'd won an estate to my father? He wanted me to settle down, it was true, but I was certain he would disapprove of how I had acquired the estate. If it was even suitable to be taken over. I knew nothing about it.

"Mr. Bywood!" The cheerful call could only belong to Melbourne. "I expected to see you wandering about earlier than this."

"So now I must keep to a regular routine?" I asked, my tone sharper than I'd intended. Clearly, my mood hadn't improved as much as I'd thought. "My apologies, Melbourne. I have a bit of a headache. It's affected my disposition in the worst possible way."

"I would be surprised if you were not feeling the effects of drink," Melbourne said with a chuckle. "Everyone knows Ingram is liberal with his wine when he invites ones to his home. How was the card game?"

Everyone save for me or anyone else new to Bath. "Well, I tried to be cautious," I said honestly. And I had been slow with every sip. However, Ingram had been quick to fill my glass at every opportunity. "Seems I was not careful enough with how much I drank. And the game was fine, thank you for asking."

"Did you at least manage to leave his house without losing the shirt off your back?"

"Lady Luck was on my side."

Raising his eyebrows, Melbourne let out another laugh. "Truly? I don't think anyone has ever had luck when they go to Ingram's house. He must have been feeling generous."

Yet another fact it would have been nice to know before I had stepped foot in Ingram's house. Why had Ward agreed to such an evening? He may rely on his winnings to survive, but to go against someone who was clearly known to have a great deal of luck in his own house would be insane.

"I am off to visit Miss Dunbar. Will you join me? She will be glad to see you."
Forcing a laugh, I shook my head. "No, I rather think she would much prefer you to make your visit unaccompanied."

"Then you do not know Miss Dunbar," Melbourne said with a sigh. "Miss Dunbar would much prefer her drawing-room to be filled with all her suitors."