Enchanted Engagement (The Brightley Sisters Book 3) by Halley Larkin

Author:Halley Larkin [Larkin, Halley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-06-04T16:00:00+00:00

“I don’t know what the prince was thinking nor why Her Majesty indulges this folly,” Charles Ladner was telling her. “You can’t possibly mean to attend such a vulgar display.”

“Why ever not?” she told him lightly. “I’ve been following the progress of the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace for over a year now. And the papers make it sound fascinating.”

Sir Charles scoffed. And while she couldn’t be certain, she thought he had clenched his arm around her waist tighter than was proper. “The exhibition is bound to attract all kinds of riff-raff. It will be a public nuisance at best, and the scene of a riot at worst. You must steer well away from all that.”

Much as she tried, Ros could not manage even the smallest of smiles at that. Instead, she looked down at her feet, unwilling to let Sir Charles see her annoyance.

“Of course, I would never suggest a lady take part,” he told her. “I know it is the thing in London society, with your sponsor, as well as her friends, and so on.”

“You would deny the duchess her whist?” Rosalind replied lightly, hoping the baron had been attempting to make a joke.

Instead, he sighed, somber as ever, both in expression and tone. “It is a weakness of ladies of influence, so one must tolerate it. Perhaps soon enough, however, society will recognize that a gaming table is no place for a lady.”

Ros pressed her lips together. She understood the gist of what he was about to say before the words had escaped and so had time to keep her tart response in check—just. Why, Sir, I would think a gentleman of your intellect wouldn’t be frightened of ladies at the tables. Then again, gentlemen have been known to vastly overestimate their prowess. Mental and otherwise.

Anders would have appreciated the comment, as she’d heard him express similar opinions regarding gentlemen’s excessively high views of themselves. Even Bella might have allowed a smile.

“The gambling disease is troublesome enough among men,” Sir Charles continued. “But a man is built to handle such. I fear for the ladies’ delicate constitutions.”

As it stood, neither Ani nor her sister were present. Ros had to settle for keeping the thought tucked away neatly in her head as she determined how to extricate herself from Charles Ladner’s company.

Once again, he had arrived at Denberry House without the courtesy of sending a calling card beforehand. Once again, the duchess insisted she knew all about it and agreed to the visit and expected Ros would too. After all, Georgiana had said when Rosalind pulled her aside, why wouldn’t you wish to entertain Sir Charles?

Judging from the length of Georgiana’s smirk, this was now an understanding between the duchess and the baron. Rosalind would have to speak to Georgiana directly on the matter.

Sir Charles had arrived before noon, as though he had known ahead that Ros would not be at Denberry House later in the day to receive callers. In doing so, he barely missed Sir Alfred sneaking out the back entrance with his wild hair and untucked shirt.

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