Wicked Wager by Mary Gillgannon Page A

hand, he hadn’t considered her feelings in this. Since he’d been so heedless of her wishes, why should she worry about hurting him?
    If only Tad were here. He’d be able to convince her to do whatever was necessary to save Horngate and the horse operation. He’d also remind her that Revington was a cold-hearted, selfish “swell” who deserved whatever fate befell him.
    She caught a glimpse of herself in the looking glass above the bureau. Who did she think she was fooling? She wasn’t a sophisticated, elegant beauty like Elizabeth Valant. She probably had as much chance of getting Revington to fall in love with her as Maggie did!
    As she had the thought, there was a knock on the door. “It’s Maggie, miss,” the cook called. “Is there anything you need before I start the evening meal?”
    A thought came to Penny. Although Maggie might not have much experience with curling hair, she struck Penny as someone who was a good judge of character. She might well have some insights into how to induce Revington to fall in love with her. “Come in, Maggie. There is something I need.”
    “Aye, miss.” Maggie entered and stood waiting.
    Penny thought a moment, trying to figure out how to phrase her request…and also how to explain it. Finally, she said, “You know, don’t you, that Mr. Revington and I are to be married?”
    “Aye, miss.”
    “I’m afraid he’s marrying me so he can take control of my property, a farm called Horngate. While it’s common for men of his class to marry for practical reasons, my own parents were quite fond of each other. I’d like to have something similar with my own husband. What I’m saying is…well, Maggie, I guess I want to know if you have any suggestions on how to get Mr. Revington to have feelings for me, rather than simply marrying me for my property.”
    Maggie wrinkled her freckled nose in thought. “I can’t blame you for wanting your husband to care for you. But I worry it’s going to be difficult for you to win Revington’s affections. He’s not the sort to go all sheep-eyed over a woman.”
    “Do you think it’s hopeless?” Penny asked, feeling discouraged.
    “No, not hopeless. You’re quite pretty and sometimes good looks can turn a man’s head. But it’s usually not sweet, girlish beauty that gets them, but something a little more—”
    “Sophisticated?” Penny offered.
    Maggie nodded. “You do know the sort of woman I mean, don’t you?”
    “Yes, yes I do.” Penny recalled Elizabeth Valant and her generous expanse of cleavage. “Your point’s well taken. In fact, you’ve given me an excellent idea.”
    Madame Dubonet had said Elizabeth Valant wasn’t a great beauty, but that she knew how to “turn herself out.” If it was simply a matter of knowing how to dress and present oneself, then there was no reason she couldn’t adopt some of Elizabeth’s methods for herself. No reason at all.
    “Thank you, Maggie. You’ve been most helpful.”
    “Any time, miss. But now I must see about dinner.”
    ****
    “There’s no need for you to go shopping with me for the rest of the things I require for my wardrobe,” Penny announced when Revington met her in the breakfast room the next morning. “I can go by myself. Then you won’t have to endure waiting for me while I shop.”
    Revington shook his head. “I’m afraid you can’t go by yourself. You must have an escort of some sort. I really am going to have to call an agency and get you a lady’s maid.” He repressed a sigh. One more duty—and expense—he’d been trying to avoid. This wager with James had disrupted all his plans.
    “What about Maggie?” Penny suggested. “Couldn’t she act as my maid?”
    Marcus stared at her. The chit didn’t know anything about the rules of proper society. “But she’s Irish . A proper lady’s maid must be French, or at least English.”
    “But she’s done lovely things with my hair. And when I discussed some of the gowns being made for me, she