Convenient Christmas Brides by Carla Kelly & Louise Allen & Laurie Benson

Author:Carla Kelly & Louise Allen & Laurie Benson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-08-21T18:12:42+00:00

Chapter Six

‘And just who is this half-naked man? I would like to know.’ Uncle Gregory paced back and forth on the rug before the fireplace while Aunt Dorothea nodded energetically and Uncle Tal made vaguely soothing noises.

‘Captain Drew Padgett, of the artillery. We are betrothed. And he is normally perfectly decently clothed,’ Ellie said. ‘That was just in order for them to hang the mistletoe.’

‘Betrothed? Since when, might I ask?’ her aunt demanded.

‘The day before yesterday. Captain Padgett proposed then. I have known him for some time.’

‘Some time? But who is he? The man may be a complete fortune hunter.’

‘Mr Ague has investigated him,’ Ellie said, exaggerating somewhat. ‘That is where we met, when I was visiting Mr Ague. Captain Padgett was calling on his solicitor in respect of an inheritance.’

‘Ah, well. Ague is sound, very sound,’ Uncle Gregory conceded.

‘And Captain Padgett saved me from a nasty accident when a wagon went out of control as I was crossing Fleet Street,’ Ellie added. ‘And he is so good with Theo. Being an artillery officer he understands mathematical principles far better than any of us.’ She cast an anxious look at the ceiling above. ‘I do hope Theo is all right. Captain Padgett does seem to expect him to be as...as...’

‘Manly as he is,’ Maddie supplied. ‘Captain Padgett is very much the gentleman and the officer.’

At which point Drew opened the door and came in. Maddie blushed and Ellie could only hope no one else saw his eyelid drop in the hint of a wink.

‘Aunt Dorothea, Uncle Gregory, Uncle Tal, may I present Captain Drew Padgett. Drew, this is Lady Wilmott and Sir Gregory Wilmott and Dr Talbot Jenkins, Fellow of Cambridge University.’

Drew had brushed his hair, resumed his uniform jacket and stock and, she swore, actually clicked his heels together as he bowed to her relatives. ‘Lady Wilmott, Sir Gregory, Dr Jenkins. I must apologise for the scene as you arrived. I trust you were not much alarmed, Lady Wilmott? There is no need to concern yourself about Theo, I have fixed and splinted his arm.’

‘No, not at all alarmed. Concerned, naturally.’ Aunt Dorothea would not admit to alarm if a troop of Cossack horsemen rode through the drawing room in pursuit of a pack of wolves.

‘We had not expected you until much later,’ Ellie explained as they all resumed their seats, even, she was relieved to see, Uncle Gregory. Drew sat down on the sofa next to her, a respectable six inches away.

‘The threat of snow persuaded me to come up to London yesterday. We stayed at Grillon’s overnight. You are not with your regiment, Captain?’

‘I have been on sick leave since June, Sir Gregory, and since then on general leave. I have a modest inheritance coming to me and when that is settled I will make a decision about selling out.’ He turned and took Ellie’s hand in his. ‘Of course, now that is something Eleanor and I must discuss together.’

‘June? Waterloo?’ Uncle Gregory demanded.

‘Yes, Sir Gregory. An encounter with a French lancer.

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