Never Envy an Earl by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott [Scott, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: historical romance, humor, Regency romance, romance clean and wholesome, spies, heroine in hiding
Publisher: Edwards and Williams
Published: 2018-07-11T07:00:00+00:00

~~~

Gregory glanced around the gallery, the joyful faces of most of the attendees at odds with the more solemn faces looking out of the paintings on the wall. Even though far fewer had been invited to the wedding breakfast than the service itself, at least one hundred people gathered round, and that discounted the footmen wending their way among the guests with crystal goblets on trays. Most of those attending he knew. Worth and his sister Charlotte, the Duke of Emerson and his older daughter, lords and ladies from around the area.

He couldn’t help his grin at the entourage quickly approaching.

“Harry!” He stuck out a hand, and the baronet shook it gladly. Sir Harold Orwell still looked like his pirate forebears—swarthy, confident, and nimble.

“And Miss Ramsey,” Gregory added, bowing to the lady on his friend’s arm.

His mother’s former companion smiled sweetly. Gregory had always thought her aptly named—nothing seemed to ruffle the dark-eyed blonde. She had certainly blossomed since leaving Carrolton Park. He couldn’t recall her wearing anything as pretty as the pink gown with roses embroidered at the neck and hem. Or had his mother been the one to decree she only wear navy and grey?

“Lord Carrolton,” Patience said with a curtsey. Then her eyes brightened. “And Meredith and Yvette! It’s so good to see you!”

Gregory’s mother and sister turned at the sound of her exclamation.

“Ramsey!” his mother cried.

“Your ladyship,” she acknowledged as they and Villers moved closer. “Lady Lilith, Mr. Villers.”

Though Gregory sometimes missed the social nuances, there was no mistaking the chill in her tone.

“How do you know Miss French?” Lilith demanded.

“Well, I…” Patience turned to Harry in appeal.

Harry put his arm about her waist. “Carrolton asked Patience’s advice as to whether Miss French would suit you. I can see she has done well in the position. You all look stunning.”

Yvette and Meredith looked pleased by the compliment to her efforts. Villers nodded approvingly, Gregory’s mother preened, and Lilith smiled complacently. Gregory could only marvel at how easily lies slipped from his friend’s tongue. Patience had met Yvette when Harry and Julian had rescued the Frenchwoman from a prison house on the Continent. To keep others from questioning Harry’s activities, Patience, who had joined the household to assist Harry’s aunt in her apothecary studies, had pretended to be betrothed to the baronet so she could cover for his absences. Their false engagement had led to a true love.

“You remember my aunt,” Harry continued, motioning to someone across the room. “Mr. Villers’s sister has been staying with us as her apprentice.”

Gregory bowed to the tall, spare woman in navy who strode up to them, a pale-haired blonde in a frilly white dress at her elbow. “Gussie. Miss Villers.”

Augusta Orwell had never been one to stand on ceremony. She shook hands all around, causing Gregory’s sister to raise her brows and their mother to lower hers. Villers’s greeting to his sister was surprisingly cool as well, but Lydia Villers didn’t seem to notice, for the sunny smile remained on her pretty face.

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