The Counterfeit Betrothal by April Kihlstrom

Author:April Kihlstrom
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

11

To the surprise of everyone, Jeremy arrived in time to share breakfast with the Hastings family two days after the fete at Carlton House. After greeting everyone politely and seating himself, he turned to Emmaline and said, “I know you are pledged to call upon Miss Rosalind this morning and I came to escort you. Perhaps Edward would care to come as well?”

Edward had expected the question and meant to refuse. The thought of watching Jeremy attempt to fix his interest with that superb girl appalled him and he did not think he could bear it. But the look of grim determination upon his friend’s face and the knowledge that, in the end, he could not bear not to see what transpired, changed his mind. With a careless shrug Edward said, “Oh, yes, of course, if you wish it.”

“Splendid!” Mrs. Hastings said graciously. “I am so pleased to see you young people enjoying yourselves. Emmaline, my dear, have you had any further word from your family as to how your father is doing?”

“Only the usual,” she replied, a trifle sadly. “No doubt Mrs. Colton is taking the most excellent care of Papa but I cannot help but worry.”

Mrs. Hastings patted her hand. “Never mind, my dear, I should not have asked. I am certain, however, that if there were cause for alarm, your family would summon you home at once. Indeed, you have said yourself that that is their promise.”

Jeremy coughed discreetly. “My father mentioned in his letter that your father seems a trifle better since you’ve left,” he said. “And you well know he is not given to exaggeration.”

At this point Mr. Hastings, who greatly disliked discouraging talk at the breakfast table, intruded. “Come, come, enough of this. I should like to hear what Emmaline thought of Carlton House, for I have not yet had a chance to ask her. It is this wild, gay life you are all leading, of course.”

A short time later all three young people were riding in Jeremy’s curricle toward Rosalind’s town address. “Now why the devil did you drag me along?” Edward asked his friend with ill-concealed irritation.

Favoring Edward with a withering look, Jeremy explained, “Because, you shatter-brained fellow, I have decided that Miss Rosalind will have to do. I cannot say I have fallen madly in love with her, but she is better than the rest of the crop, I suppose. At any rate, time is slipping away and I must choose someone.”

“I should think you already had,” Hastings muttered. At the dagger glances thrown at him by the other two Edward said, “Oh, very well. So you’ve decided you shan’t suit but that Miss Rosalind will do. What has that to do with me?”

“You are indeed feather-witted today,” Jeremy repeated with no little exasperation. “Surely you must see that I cannot openly court Miss Rosalind while I am supposed to be betrothed to Miss Delwyn.”

“Certainly,” Edward agreed. “That is why it is so convenient that Miss Delwyn is a friend of hers.

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