With His Lady's Assistance (The Regent Mysteries Book 1) by Cheryl Bolen

Author:Cheryl Bolen [Bolen, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Harper & Appleton
Published: 2013-12-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Having cut short his visit to Blackheath, Jack arrived at Sidworth House in time to watch Daphne and one of her sisters (he had the devil of a time distinguishing between the younger ones) leave the house, but not in time for them to see him. Even though London had escaped the snow which fell in Blackheath and Greenwich, it was beastly cold. These Chalmers sisters must be of hardy stock.

After he secured his mount, he set off on foot after them and soon caught up with them. Daphne drilled him with an icy stare as her hand flew to smooth her undressed hair. She seemed irritated when she spoke to him. "Why . . . Mr. Rich! Whatever are you doing here so early?"

He could not very well tell her he'd come to speak privately, at least not without offending the insipidly pretty sister. "My business today was finished considerably earlier than I had expected," he said as he fell into step beside her. Only that instant did it become apparent to him that today she was the same old Daphne, the one with bushy hair and spectacles -- even if she was wearing what appeared to be a new dress.

Thank God for the spectacles.

He was much more comfortable with her when she looked as she had when he'd first made her acquaintance. And he was also more comfortable knowing other men wouldn't be making cakes of themselves over her--which was completely irrational and thoroughly selfish of him since he certainly could never woo her himself.

Daphne's narrow-eyed glance flicked to her sister, then back to Jack as she tucked her arms into his. "I pray that your business was successful?"

His glance volleyed from the sister to Daphne, then he frowned. How in the devil was he going to be able to converse with his betrothed with that nosy girl attaching herself to Daphne like barnacles? He glared at the menace, then shrugged.

"That, my dear, would depend upon your definition of successful."

Now he had roused her curiosity. She flicked an impatient glance at her sister. "Oh, Doreen, why do you not run along to Cornelia's without me? Mr. Rich and I must discuss tedious business matters that have a bearing upon our future together." For someone so inherently honest, he thought, Lady Daphne was certainly blessed with a gift for prevarication.

Doreen gave Daphne a sly glance before taking her leave. He suddenly realized she was not the youngest because the youngest sister (Rosemary? Was she not?) had not yet come out and therefore could not be permitted to walk without a chaperon to the duchess's townhouse.

"Pray, Captain," Daphne said, once they were alone, "you must tell me what cut short your visit to Blackheath."

A smile tweaking at his lips, he decided to prolong her impatience. "Really, my sweet, you must quit calling me Captain. You're apt to forget and use that name when we're in company."

"Even though Mr. Rich is my own creation, I cannot call you that."

He patted her hand.

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