His Mysterious Lady, A Regency Romance (Three Gentlemen of London Book 2) by G.G. Vandagriff

Author:G.G. Vandagriff [Vandagriff, G.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Press
Published: 2017-06-05T16:00:00+00:00

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Hyde Park was virtually crammed with society, dressed in their finest as they displayed equipages and mounts. Virginia felt almost overwhelmed by the crowd. Everywhere she looked there were elaborate bonnets and gowns, top hats, and shiny, high-spirited horses pawing the ground in place as their owners visited with acquaintances.

Shortly after they arrived, Lord Freddie drew up beside them in a curious high-perched affair painted bright yellow.

“What ho! Miss Livingstone, Strangeways!” He tipped his hat. “Lovely to see you out and about.”

“Freddie,” Lord Strangeways greeted him curtly.

“Good afternoon. What kind of carriage is that?” Virginia inquired. “I have never seen anything like it.”

“High-perched phaeton,” the man said. “May I inquire after your health? I hope you are quite recovered.”

“Your hope is in vain, Freddie,” said the viscount. “She continues to suffer from your carelessness.”

The man was immediately crestfallen. Lord Strangeways’s harshness was so out of character that Virginia put a restraining hand on his arm.

“I’m sure I’ll be well soon,” she said.

“Afternoon, Freddie.” Her companion snapped the reins, and they progressed away from Lord Freddie, through the crowd. “I’d advise you, for your health and reputation’s sake, to steer clear of that fellow in future.”

Noting his set jaw, she refrained from commenting. The next moment they were approached by a smiling fair man riding a large black stallion. He tilted his hat. “Well met, Strangeways, Miss Livingstone.”

“Miss Livingstone, you may not remember meeting this dandy at the balloon ascension. May I present Lord Wellingham? He is Miss Saunders’s reprehensible brother, who keeps her from the delights of Lord Byron.”

He looked into her eyes as though he were studying her. Her heart quickened with a jolt at his keen attention. So this was Mr. Sagethorn’s target!

“Miss Livingstone, I was dreadfully concerned to hear about your accident, as was my wife. My sister was going to tea with you today, wasn’t she? She was also quite anxious about your fall.”

“I’m happy to meet you again, my lord,” she said, lifting her chin and striving to appear at ease. “Your sister is a delight.”

“A handful,” he corrected with a short laugh and a shake of the head. “I understand you first met at Hatchard’s?”

“Apparently. Unfortunately I have no memory of the event. But that is only temporary, I’m told.” Never had the flat tones of her speech made her so self-conscious. Up on his stallion looking down at her with his piercing blue gaze, the man intimidated her. Virginia summoned her scattering wits.

“I understand you are from America,” he said.

“I am,” she replied, then felt the need to elaborate. “My parents died suddenly, and my Uncle Ogletree is my guardian.”

“Ah.” He nodded his head, saying what no one else had dared to say, “A bit awkward with the war on.”

She had no idea what to answer. Stammering, she managed to say, “I’m dr-dreadfully ignorant. I’m afraid I know very little about the war.” An outright lie! Even with her recent memory loss, she remembered plenty about the war from living in America.

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