An Engagement of Convenience by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott [Scott, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: pretend engagement, marriage of convenience, Regency romance, reunion romance, bad boy romance
Publisher: Edwards and Williams
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The hermit was easily sorted. Promises of treats from the kitchen convinced the elderly fellow to sit and pose for their guests rather than seek their conversation. But when Kitty returned to the house, she discovered that the hermit was not the only celebrity at the party.

She was the most sought-after lady present.

Quentin had suggested their engagement of convenience might have just this sort of effect, but she failed to find a reason. It could not be the result of curling her hair or borrowing Lucy’s dress. The other young ladies were similarly coiffed and gowned. Nor did she change her behavior. She still settled squabbles and kept things humming along, seeing to the needs of the household and its guests.

Now that she was engaged to be married, however, everyone seemed to see her differently. Instead of observing conversations, she was made part of them. Miss Gaffney asked her opinion on the new style of poke bonnet. Mr. Danvers inquired as to whether she had enjoyed the past Season. Miss Eglantine and her sister followed her about as if intent on observing her least action. It was as if she had been elevated from gentry to royalty.

It was the same way when she and Quentin joined the other couples on a trip to see the village church the next day. The two had agreed that Quentin should join the festivities whenever possible. Yesterday, it had been touring the estate and playing whist, the latter of which he and Kitty had won handily, while Uncle even nodded approval. Today, it was taking in the delights of the village that catered to the various estates in the area. The church there was a fine example of Norman architecture, all square lines and firm stones as if unwavering in its convictions. Everyone seemed most impressed with it.

All the guests had at last arrived, making for a set of five unmarried ladies and six gentlemen. With uneven numbers, a gentleman was forever pursuing a partner. Fortunately, with Mr. and Mrs. Eglantine serving as chaperones for the group, Kitty was spared much of her usual duties to Lucy.

Now Quentin’s black boots flashed in the sunlight as he strolled with Kitty through the churchyard, where gravestones marched in an orderly fashion across the grass.

“You will find me a sad trial,” Kitty told him. “Here your ruse is succeeding, and all I can wonder is why they suddenly care about my opinions. I am the same person I was last week. I have grown no cleverer, done nothing particularly fascinating.”

“Except betroth yourself to the black sheep of the county,” he reminded her with a smile.

“Former black sheep,” she countered. “And it isn’t as if you’ve done anything particularly interesting since returning either.”

Indeed, as if to disprove their expectations of him, he’d gone out of his way to be congenial. Nothing in word or manner had been the least bit scandalous. She wasn’t sure why that fact annoyed her more than her sudden popularity.

“What would you have me do, madam?” he asked with a polite nod to Mr.

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