An Agreeable Alliance: A Regency Romance (Sons of Somerset Book 4) by Kasey Stockton

Author:Kasey Stockton [Stockton, Kasey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Published: 2021-10-08T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Throughout the previous week, Rebecca had either written or received letters nearly every day, finding ways to hand them off to Mr. Cooper discreetly at the Pump Room or the various events at the assembly halls. She had never before been so social in her life and found that while it was nice to get Mama out of their rooms for fresh air every day as Mr. Cooper had originally prescribed, the consistent gatherings were wearing on her a little.

She sat at a table in the Gastrells’ parlor holding cards in her hand and waiting for her mother to take her turn. They partnered against Georgiana Gastrell and her mother at whist, and the game was nearing its end, the Gastrells clearly in the lead.

Mama had known Mrs. Gastrell for quite a few years—they’d made their connection through Aunt Langley—and the Turners often found time to pass in the Gastrells’ drawing room when they visited Bath. This was the first time they’d been completely trounced at Whist.

“How is your husband enjoying Paris?” Mrs. Gastrell asked, eyeing her remaining cards in her hand as she absently petted the small, white dog on her lap.

“He’s never been fond of the city, actually, but he loves his cousin quite a lot. I’m certain their time spent together balances his distaste for being away from us.”

“Surely it must. He does not intend to stay in Paris long, then?”

“We hope not,” Mama said, pulling a card from her hand and laying it on the table.

Rebecca analyzed her remaining cards, swallowing the concern that crept into the tightness of her body when she thought of her father. Mama did not sound in the least concerned that they hadn’t heard from him in nearly two months now. “We miss him heartily.”

A shadow hovered over Rebecca’s shoulder, and she glanced back to find Henry Gastrell there, looking down at her. His dark hair was styled in the Brutus, disheveled and pushed forward, giving him a rakish charm. She didn’t yet know what to make of his character. Henry had seldom been in residence the times they’d visited in her youth, for he’d been away at school himself. But he seemed to have a good relationship with his sister and a ready smile.

None of which explained why his presence made her uneasy.

She tipped her cards away to hide them. “Have you been sent by Miss Gastrell to ascertain my hand?”

Henry scoffed. “Of course not. If I was to assist anyone at this table with cheating, it would not be my sister.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana said wryly. She laid a card on top of Mama’s and wrinkled her nose at Henry.

“I suppose I should have to prove myself in the next game,” Henry said with an air of nonchalance. “Will you partner me, Miss Turner?”

Rebecca resisted the urge to slide her spectacles higher on her nose and nodded. “I should love to.”

“Perhaps I will ask Mr. Cooper to partner me,” Georgiana said, leaning over to peer around Rebecca.

Was he here?

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