My Fair Regency by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: More Than Words Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Eliza and Maryann, recently returned from a shopping trip to Bond Street, sat in the ground floor sitting room that faced the garden examining the bits of ribbon and other baubles they’d purchased. Four new dresses had also been ordered, one for Eliza and three for Maryann. Despite the girl’s protests, Eliza had insisted on gifting the gowns to her cousin. Now that the horribleness of the last few months was almost behind Maryann, Eliza had plans. She would see the girl married, somehow, someway. It certainly wouldn’t be easy, for most gentlemen were decidedly against marrying ruined ladies, even when it was one of their own who had done the ruining.

She would not be daunted, though. Somewhere, there was a kind-hearted man willing to look beyond the scandal that was not of Maryann’s making. Somewhere, there was a man of sense who would understand she was not to blame. Somewhere, there was a man who deserved this woman. Because Eliza would not marry her off to just anyone. Maryann deserved someone who cared for her. As Eliza well knew, not every man was worth marrying. In fact, very few of them were.

Especially men who waltzed like a dance master and kissed like a character from one of Amelia’s books, and then scurried away like a dastardly footpad chased by the watch. Those men were cowards and not worth of any woman’s time. Especially Eliza’s.

She had booted Anthony Ripley from her thoughts entirely the last two days. Booted him out and then locked the door of her mind.

Roger the footman knocked once and entered, presenting a silver salver to Eliza. “A note for you, miss.”

She pinched the folded square between her finger and thumb and lifted it off the tray. The paper was thick, the handwriting bold and smooth. She knew who the sender was even before flipping it over and seeing the seal with AR imprinted on it. Eliza was only surprised it was just a note and not the full copy of Hither and Yon Ripley meant to print. Perhaps he’d folded it, though.

Maryann scooted to the edge of her chair after tossing aside the ribbon she’d been admiring. Since the night of the soiree, she had visibly relaxed, despite the matter not being final yet. However, it was as if knowing the truth about Epson and knowing how many people had come to her aid made her realize all was not lost.

“Is that...”

Eliza nodded. “It’s from Mr. Ripley.” Carefully, she broke the seal and unfolded the paper. After scanning the note, she let the hand clutching it fall to her lap. “He hasn’t included the copy of Hither and Yon.”

“Does he no longer intend to write it?” Maryann frowned but her lack of dramatic reaction filled Eliza with pride. Her cousin had learned a thing or two over the last few months.

Leaning back, Eliza flapped the note. “He says it is finished, but that he ‘kindly begs me to come to the shop to review it.’”

“Oh,” Maryann said on an exhale of relief.

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.