Rhyme and Reason by Catherine Gayle

Author:Catherine Gayle
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Night Shift Publishing
Published: 2013-08-23T07:00:00+00:00

“You did what?” Lord Teasdale’s voice boomed through the red drawing room, causing Mattie to wince.

Bea tried to smile at her for comfort, but the weak effort she gave didn’t really look all that comforting. Seated next to her, her younger sister Rose’s eyes grew wide as she looked between her father and Mattie, and then over to her mother. Mattie imagined she was trying to memorize every detail of this moment so she could recreate it in all its agonizing glory for their youngest sister Lucy, who was above stairs with her governess, Miss Dormer.

That was what she, Freddie, and Georgie had always done for Edie. It seemed only fitting that the Emery sisters would do the same.

Thinking about her sisters just now only reminded her of the letter she’d received this morning from Monty. He wrote to inform her that Georgie was safely delivered of his heir, and that young Lord Dennison squalls loudly enough he was certain to be hale and healthy for a great many years to come.

That news only caused her to yearn, more than ever before, that she could be with her family. Instead, she was with the Teasdales. Other than Bea, and maybe Rose and Lucy, they did not want her at all. And she was trying to choose between two suitors, one of whom might not want her, and the other of whom she might not want.

Mattie would far prefer to be holding the squalling Viscount Dennison. Since she was not though, and could not do so any time soon, she renewed her resolve. Squaring her shoulders, she looked Lord Teasdale in the eye. “I told Mr. Goddard I would not agree to marry him as yet, but that he could court me, just as Sir Lester is doing.”

There wasn’t any need to tell the baron she hadn’t really encouraged Mr. Goddard. She just hadn’t discouraged him. With Sir Lester, on the other hand, Mattie had done everything she could to encourage, short of outright telling him she hoped he would offer for her or that she was head over ears in love with him.

There were some things which a lady simply couldn’t do.

“But Goddard has a marriage license. They’re not valid forever, you know.” Lord Teasdale paced to the hearth, muttering beneath his breath all the while. “Silly chit…doing a favor to Danby…strangle Stalbridge when I next see him…”

At that point, Mattie dared to look up at Lady Teasdale. The baroness was glowering at Mattie as she’d never done before, which was saying something. It seemed the only thing Lady Teasdale ever enjoyed doing with Mattie was glowering at her.

There was no point in continuing to look there. She glanced at Bea, who gave her a nod.

“If we choose to marry and the license is no longer valid, we can wait for the banns,” Mattie said patiently.

“If you chose to marry? Wait for the banns?” Lord Teasdale practically roared. “Just how long do you think I intend to allow you to

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