A Provision For Love (Entangled Inheritance Book 1) by Heather Chapman

Author:Heather Chapman [Chapman, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Entangled Inheritance Series, Beautiful & Feisty
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Published: 2019-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Does he welcome competition with manly zest, and rally to the challenge of a chase? This is good. He will never be a doltish bystander.

“Another reading?” Mr. Perry asked, clapping his hands together. He scanned the room, looking from face to face. “Whom shall we call upon to favor us, Lord Egerton?”

Miss Hawkins, seated next to me on the sofa, nudged me. She whispered in my direction. “I cannot stand performing poetry readings. I have no inclination to participate.”

I nodded and uttered a soft reply. “I cannot claim to like performing either, but hearing others does amuse me.”

“Perhaps a lady?” Lord Egerton asked, circling the room.

The duke’s drawing room was three times the size of my grandmother’s in Mayfair and was made for the purpose of hosting grand events. Therefore, after dinner, Lord Egerton opted to take our party of eight to a smaller, more intimate, parlor instead.

Since arriving in London, I had learned that relativity existed at all levels of society. Words that I had grown up speaking meant different things to different people. ‘Smaller’, for example, when used by a marquess and future duke, did not equate to ‘small’.

I tapped my finger against my arm, taking in the splendor of the papered-walls. The covering almost looked to be brushed with gold. I shook my head, glancing at the marquess. For all his ways, he did not seem the least spoiled.

Lord Egerton lifted a brow and looked back at me. “Not a single volunteer. Very well. Mr. Perry?”

“Certainly. I have a plethora of recitations at my beck and call.” Mr. Perry moved to the front of the room. His waistcoat was as flowery as everything he wore, only this time in the literal sense. The purple swirls and pink roses of the fabric shimmered in the dim light. His expression, however, remained as genuine as ever.

I could not understand the dichotomy, and I was inclined to think him vain. Does he preen in front of mirrors? Forget him. Harsh is the life of a wife condemned to live her days in the company of a vain peacock.

“And the selection?” Henry asked, stepping behind the sofa and placing his hands near my left shoulder. He had hardly spoken a word since dinner. “Do not tell me it is another—”

“Shakespeare,” Mr. Perry said, rubbing his hands together. “I only recite the classics, Mr. Thorne. Now, this particular selection comes from As You Like It.”

Henry offered a low groan.

“From the east to western Ind,

No Jewel is like Rosalind.

Her worth being mounted on the wind,

Through all the world bears Rosalind.

All the pictures fairest lined

Are but black to Rosalind.

Let no face be kept in mind

But the fair of Rosalind.”

Applaud erupted, except for the noticeably sulking man behind me. What reason did Henry have to act so melancholy? I glanced over my shoulder. “Do you not think Mr. Perry deserves your applause, Henry? His recitation was excellent.”

Henry stiffened, and he folded his arms across his chest. His brows raised near his scowl line. “Mr. Perry is an excellent performer.

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