Azalea by Brenda Hiatt

Author:Brenda Hiatt [Hiatt, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Love Stories, Historical fiction, historical romance, regency romance, Arranged Marriage, regency england, williamsburg, brenda hiatt
ISBN: 9780733557828
Google: x_yTtwAACAAJ
Amazon: B009SG8IC4
Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon
Published: 2005-10-14T21:00:00+00:00

* * *

A little over an hour later Lady Beauforth and Marilyn returned, accompanied by Jonathan Plummer, who, Marilyn said, they had encountered upon leaving Madame Clarisse's shop. Naturally, they had invited him for nuncheon, knowing what a good friend of Azalea's he was.

Watching Marilyn's rapt expression when she looked at Jonathan, Azalea doubted whether this last consideration had actually carried much weight, but she was happy to see her old playmate in any event. She carefully observed both his behaviour and Marilyn's, and was able to conclude that her hopes in that direction were not completely unfounded. There was obviously a fair degree of attraction on both sides.

Nuncheon was a lively meal, with Jonathan and Lady Beauforth carrying the bulk of the conversation, though by no means excluding the others. As before, Azalea noticed that Marilyn's speech was far less affected when she spoke to Jonathan.

Between anecdotes, Azalea managed to relate Lord Kayce's invitation. Jonathan's look of concern reminded her of his earlier cautions, and after the meal she again contrived to have a brief moment alone with him.

"I fear you may have been quite right about my uncle," she told him without preamble as they lingered in the dining-room after her cousins had proceeded to the parlour. "He seems uncommonly anxious to be made my guardian, and now I have reason to suspect he may actually wish me ill." She related the story of that morning's mishap, omitting, however, any mention of Lord Glaedon.

Jonathan nodded grimly. "You never were anyone's fool, 'Zalea," he said. "You look so much like the other London belles now, I had dashed near forgotten how sharp you can be. Just as well you are, though, with the likes of Kayce to deal with."

"I'm beginning to realize that. I'll be careful, though, I promise you. Should I refuse his invitation to dinner, do you think?"

Jonathan thought for a moment. "No, it should be all right. He'll hardly try to harm you in front of a crowd, and it will be well known to your cousins that you are in his company. My advice is to play along —for now— but to keep your eyes open."

"That's precisely what I had intended to do," she agreed.

Lady Beauforth called to them from the parlour then, querying about their tardiness.

"Don't forget, 'Zalea —if you need a friend, I'm always here," Jonathan whispered hastily as he turned towards the door. "At least until summer."

"Thank you, Jonathan. I'll remember."

But with Jonathan's cautions added to her original suspicions, she was beginning to suspect that she would need more than a friend, or even a lawyer, to deal with Lord Kayce.

She would need a husband.

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