VIscount Besieged by Bailey Elizabeth

Author:Bailey, Elizabeth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: regency romance, clean romance, sweet romance, traditional romance, comedy of manners, country house regency
Publisher: Elizabeth Bailey

Chapter Seven

Roborough started, jerking round. The woman had changed her seat for one next to him on the small sofa, and she was looking at him with expectancy in her face under the black velvet turban. It threw him off balance. Had he spoken aloud? She must have seen his reaction in his countenance and made something of it. Or was he mistaken?

‘She is very good, isn’t she?’ Cousin Matty said innocently.

‘Very,’ he agreed quietly. ‘But hush!’

Obediently, Cousin Matty waited for the end of the little piece, much to his relief. Perhaps he had imagined the insinuation. Nevertheless, he found himself unable to concentrate on the performance, too much aware of the female at his side and what she might say.

He hoped, as the piece ended, that she would move on. But under cover of the general applause, and Syderstone’s extravagant congratulations, she resumed her remarks.

‘You do think she looks attractive when she is acting, Cousin Roborough?’

He smiled, but his eyes were wary as he turned to her. He was ready for her now. He kept his tone polite, but distant.

‘Or at any time.’

‘I knew you must think so,’ said Cousin Matty in a smug voice, apparently unaware of his reserve. ‘You must know, Cousin Roborough, we have all been wondering what you intend to do for poor Dora.’

His raised his brows. ‘Have you?’

Poor Dora? She was more capable than the rest of them put together.

‘Dear Ellen is most concerned for her,’ pursued the woman. ‘You know that she is nearly one and twenty, and that she has no dowry at all?’

‘Yes, I am quite aware of that.’

‘You must be, such care as you have taken to discover all our needs,’ simpered Cousin Matty. ‘And you will have taken especial notice of her circumstances, being yourself unwed.’

Roborough froze. Then he had not been mistaken. Had they all of them some idea that he might marry Isadora? Good God, what next? And had they put this fantastic notion to Isadora herself? What in the name of all the gods had she said to that? He dared swear he might guess. But this must be nipped in the bud. He was going to be manoeuvred neither into promise nor compromise. Yes, he was unwed, thanks to his expert depression of the pretensions of matchmaking mamas. Or, if it came to that, matchmaking cousins.

‘Naturally that has been a consideration,’ he agreed smilingly. ‘A bachelor guardian always gives rise to comment. But as Mrs Alvescot—or my own mother— will always be present in any house where I might find myself in company with Isadora, I cannot think that we need fear any daunting consequences.’

Seeing the expectancy fading into disappointment on the lady’s countenance, he lost no time in driving home the message, adding cheerfully, ‘Of course, it is my belief that we need not concern ourselves unduly. It is unlikely that Isadora will remain single for very long.’

‘Oh, do you think so?’ said Cousin Matty, hope creeping back into her features.

This one was not easy to snub.

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