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

afternoon to which Cecilia replied a smiling yes. He would do what he could to elicit many such affirmations. He rarely encountered opposition, save from his parents and an angry spouse or relative. Chuckling, he returned to his duties.
    As Cecilia watched Mr. Mainmount stride off, she smiled. He was most charming.
    “You have done well this evening,” her mother whispered as they made their farewells.
    Cecilia dipped her head. Perhaps Mr. Mainmount was not so appealing. Walking behind her aunt and mother, Cecilia started at the appearance of Mr. Thornhill, who offered to escort her to the carriage. Her aunt smiled over her shoulder at them while her mother sighed.
    “May I call upon you tomorrow, Miss Wilcox?” he said as her aunt and mother entered the carriage. “Perhaps the air at the park may be restorative.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Thornhill, but I have already promised to be at home to receive Mr. Mainmount in the afternoon,” Cecilia said as he handed her into the carriage.
    “Oh?” he asked, with a hint of annoyance. “Perhaps your mother would allow me to call for you after breakfast, then. Shall we say eleven o’clock?” He looked at Mrs. Wilcox, who inclined her head in agreement. “Until tomorrow,” he said, wishing them a good night. Cecilia was still piqued at him for assuming she needed his protection and taken aback by her mother’s assent to his call.
    “I suppose I am still to be available to all acceptable gentlemen?” Cecilia asked as they rode back to Portman Square.
    “Do not be pert, daughter. Remember your manners and I shall see to the rest,” her mother said. She and her aunt were strangely quiet, but as Cecilia was tired, she did not question further.
    The morning after the ball was one of those rare occasions Mrs. Wilcox let Cecilia sleep late. She was most pleased with her showing last night, so she’d told Cecilia as they made their way to bed after returning from the ball. Cecilia woke uneasy, though, remembering the person her mother urged her toward. She had misjudged Mr. Cateret, was she making the same error with Mr. Mainmount? Amelia, her face alight, woke as well, and faced Cecilia.
    “I may say, it is much preferred to be engaged. Then you do not have to endure the attentions and insolence of so many various men, most of whom are odious.”
    Cecilia laughed. “I never thought to hear you say you prefer to be engaged! You are certainly hard on men. Does Mr. Dryden know of your disdain?” she teased.
    “My Dryden is different. I speak of those you tend to meet at a ball. Did you not find it so?”
    “Yes, I suppose I did. Though there were a very few who were tolerable, even pleasant, most notably Mr. Thornhill and Mr. Mainmount. I do not know how you managed through three seasons, Amelia. If I have to do this all again, I should quite despair.” Cecilia slid from bed and twisted her hair.
    “It is better than marrying one you do not respect or like.”
    “Yes, though my mother will certainly make life difficult if I return home with no conquests. And, how well can you know someone before marrying? I think I must take my chances and rely on my parents’ discernment,” Cecilia said absently as she brushed her hair.
    “I would rely on your father or brother, yes. Did you really like Mr. Mainmount, or were you trying to please your mama?”
    “I did like him, though I do not know him well enough yet to say how much. I found him amusing, charming, and well-looking.”
    “He always struck me as oily and energetic.” Amelia, her arms crossed, stood behind Cecilia.
    “Whatever do you mean? I suppose he has a smooth manner, but he seems carefree to me.”
    “I mean he can be forceful in pursuit of his desires,” Amelia said in a serious tone. “I want to warn you, cousin. You have not heard of his past reputation, but I have. His behavior would not please you.”
    Cecilia dropped the brush to the table with a clatter. “You have said the same of Mr. Cateret.