Read Online A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice by Reina M. Williams - Free Book Online Page A

likely press her toward Mr. Mainmount and she did not wish to cause Mr. Thornhill pain when he had been kind this evening. Knowing she sometimes thought over things too much, Cecilia remembered her father’s dictate to enjoy herself and let herself be led to the ballroom by her escort, determined to be carefree.
    Certainly Mr. Mainmount encouraged this attitude with his own untroubled air and amusing anecdotes about his time abroad in the East Indies. He was an accomplished dancer, too, almost as able as Mr. Cateret, the best dancer she knew. This fact did not put Mr. Thornhill in a favorable light when he claimed his second dance, for he was not as proficient as Mr. Mainmount and his proprietary tone provoked Cecilia.
    “You ought not countenance him, Miss Wilcox. I am sure if your father or brother were here, they would not encourage you to accept his attentions,” Mr. Thornhill said quietly as they took a turn about the room.
    “Whatever can you mean, Mr. Thornhill? I thank you for your concern, but if my mother and aunt do not object, surely you can have no reason to. I am only desirous of some enjoyment. I do not see the harm,” Cecilia replied in a careless tone, though her stomach clenched.
    “Of course you cannot. I assure you…” Mr. Thornhill broke off as Mr. Mainmount approached to claim Cecilia for another dance. Laughingly, the two went out on the floor wishing a glowering Mr. Thornhill a good evening.
    “Old Thornhill seems most prickly this evening, Miss Wilcox. Have I done something to offend?”
    Cecilia could not help but giggle. “Old, sir? He cannot be much older than yourself, surely?”
    “In years, true, but his hoary spirit makes him most unbearable to those seeking youthful pleasures,” he said with a scornful tone which so reminded Cecilia of Mr. Cateret she was momentarily silenced. “I hope I have not offended you, Miss Wilcox?”
    “No, not at all.” Cecilia laughed. “I suppose he is a bit thorny this evening, though he has been kind to me, so I ought not jest at him.”
    “But what are our fellows or ourselves for, if not to provide amusement?”
    “You sound like my brother’s friend, Mr. Adam Cateret. He said the very thing to me on his last visit,” Cecilia said, trying to sound flip, but her blush betrayed her.
    “Mr. Cateret? Yes, I know him well. We shared many an escapade before I left England,” he replied, his eyes sparking in remembrance, at which Cecilia blushed more deeply. She could not begin to guess at what those two gentlemen had gotten into; she did not want to even think about it, for his tone implied perhaps their adventures were not gentlemanly. Mr. Mainmount laughed in his charming way as he led her from the floor.
    “Would you care to rest a bit, Miss Wilcox? I should like to sit with you and hear how my old friend is, as well as your brother, whom I also remember.” He motioned to a nearby settee.
    Cecilia agreed, for she could not resist an opportunity to discuss her two favorites, especially with one who could share his own stories of them.
    They passed the time most agreeably, Cecilia pleased with his compliments of her brother and Mr. Mainmount charmed by Cecilia’s natural yet voluptuous beauty and innocence. Of course, these were almost secondary to the opportunity to best ‘Ret, who he sensed had captivated young Miss Wilcox. ‘Mount and ‘Ret, as they were known, had shared a friendly rivalry, though Mr. Mainmount was less honorable in his dealings, controverting his honorific title. ’Ret must surely desire Miss Wilcox if his former taste for dark, shapely beauties had not changed, but ‘Ret would try to resist that temptation out of loyalty to his friend Wil. Mr. Mainmount shared no such compunction, though he would have to make a better study of Miss Wilcox before deciding what to do. Before taking leave of Cecilia to join his parents in saying farewell to their guests, Mr. Mainmount asked if she would be receiving callers tomorrow