(Company of Rogues #9) Hazard by Jo Beverley

Author:Jo Beverley [Beverley, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

The day after Anne drove in the park, she opened the newspapers to find the story there, written so as to make her sound heartless and mercenary in a time of hardship. Anne had Welsford send a notice to the papers that the money was going to the fund for crippled veterans, but despite a clamor for it, she Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

refused to drive out again. The attention was too unbearable. Instead, determined to be her unashamed self, she walked.

She drove to the park with Caroline in Welsford’s carriage, but then they both descended and walked.

No one could be driven to copy her, and she couldn’t create some new stir. Moreover, surely some of her suitors would be turned away by how clumsy she looked, even with her staff. She was, after all, wearing her leather boots, the right one heavily built to support her foot.

Alas, her lack of grace didn’t discourage many, and she was hindered by too many men around her. But then she remembered The Daring Lady . If Mrs. Hardcastle could control a whole audience of men, surely she could control a few. She assessed her selection and decided that it was time. She chose Alderton and sternly waved the others away. Reluctantly, they obeyed.

Her mother always said that if a woman turned her mind to it, she could fall in love with anyone. It was time to apply her mind to falling in love with the most appealing of her court. As Alderton talked and she nodded, she reminded herself of all his virtues.

He was titled, had a pleasant estate, and as a bonus, she was already friends with his sister. She knew through Harriet that he was a good and generous brother. Tris had not found any mice, rats, or farthings.

Alderton had confessed to only wanting to spend a few weeks in London each year for essential Parliamentary matters, though he did like to spend a month or two in the Shires in hunting season.

The sad fact about that was that she saw it as a bonus. There was nothing wrong with the man, but he might as well be a plaster statue for all the impact he had on her. She could link arms with him without the tiniest frisson, and didn’t even want to try a kiss. Would that change in time? Surely it would.

“I say, Alderton. Fair’s fair. Time to give you a chance with the lovely Lady Welsford.”

Anne hadn’t paid any attention to Caroline’s escort, but she turned to find that it was indeed burly Lord Marlowe, showing his teeth and phrasing his request in a way that made it impossible for Alderton to refuse.

What’s more, Anne saw no sign that Alderton tried. She knew that Tris would not give up a desired lady in this situation. Nor would de Vere. She remembered Tris saying that even a cannonball wouldn’t stop de Vere going after something he wanted.

She took Marlowe’s arm and strolled on, smiling as he talked about hunting.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.