Mr. Fernley and the Lady (Fernley Family A Regency-era Romance Book 2) by Angela Johnson

Author:Angela Johnson [Johnson, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pemberley Publishing, LLC
Published: 2022-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Archie did his duty as host. He had welcomed guests, offered food and drink, and now he stood by himself observing his wife. She was the perfect hostess. It pleased him to know she was a kind and genuine soul. Now that the evening was coming to a close, he took a step toward Rosalind with the goal of wooing her.

He’d barely crossed the drawing room as Miss Lovitt stepped in his path. “Miss Lovitt, I am happy you and your father are in attendance.”

Miss Lovitt curtsied. “I suppose we must be formal, now you are married. No more jaunts through the woods for fear of being caught.”

Taking a small step backward, Archie tried to hide the discomfort her words caused. “We will always be friends, Miss Lovitt.”

“Not with the formalities you seem to insist upon. I cannot believe I must refer to you as Mr. Fernley.” She pouted and then shook her head. “I will not do it while alone in your company. You will forever be my dearest friend, Archie.”

With a sigh, Archie looked toward Rosalind to see she was still in conversation with Lord and Lady Torrington. He needed to take the conversation with Miss Lovitt away from dangerous topics. “I am thankful for your friendship to Rosalind.”

“She is a dear girl. Quite young for a man of your years. Whatever were you thinking when you pursued her?”

Taken aback by the silky words that were anything but complimentary, Archie tried to ignore the veiled insult. “She is not too young. Eighteen is hardly an age to gawk at.”

“You are right. I apologize for my misgivings on her maturity.”

“I have seen nothing in her demeanor to suggest a lack of social decorum. What do you mean by maturity?”

“Archie,” Miss Lovitt reached out and placed her hand on Archie’s arm. “Forgive my moment of weakness. Lady Rosalind is everything a man in your position should want. She has youth, beauty, and poise. She demurs when appropriate and hardly accepts a compliment without returning one herself.”

The conversation was far from what he had expected. “She has not made a good impression upon you?"

“She is a good sort of girl. Not anything to match your gentle kindness. But I am certain you will make this marriage work.”

Archie pulled at his cravat. The knot seemed overdone and tight for the lateness of the hour. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I have seen you romping through the fields with that servant boy of yours. One would think a newly married man would spend more time with his wife than a servant.”

“Is this the topic of gossip within the neighborhood?”

“I dare not admit to the shameful tales I have heard. But I do correct every conversation to which I am privy. I remind them that not all marriages are formed for love matches. Some may only be for the benefits of a dowry.”

“How dare you spread vitriol about my situation.”

Miss Lovitt put a hand over her chest and feigned innocence. “I would never do such a thing.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.