Read Online Be My Lover by Cecily French - Free Book Online

her bow this Season?”
    “Grace refuses to do so until Tabitha can be with her,”
Anthony explained and a loving note entered his voice. “Her shyness is such
that she cannot imagine making her bow without Tabitha beside her. They will be
presented together next year. Lady Helen Featherstock, may I introduce my good
friend, Mrs. Emily Martin, who arrived in London only a few days ago. Emily,
this is Lady Helen Featherstock, also a good friend. Her husband is Admiral
James Featherstock, retired.”
    “One of Nelson’s finest,” Emily said, sinking into a
courtesy. “My late husband had a cousin who served in the navy. He keenly
followed all reports of naval activities while we were at war.”
    The older lady’s eyes sparkled and she kept her quizzing
glass lowered. “On which ship did your husband’s cousin serve?”
    “The Hyacinth , my lady. Isaiah was very proud of his
cousin.”
    “As well he should have been. It was a fine ship with a good
crew.” Lady Featherstock sighed. “Well, I mustn’t keep my other guests waiting,
but I’d enjoy talking with you later, Mrs. Martin. Welcome to London.”
    Anthony led Emily away and only when they were out of
earshot did he say, “Nice touch, Emily, bringing up Isaiah’s cousin. I think
you pleased her.”
    “I was only trying to be polite,” Emily said. “Certainly not
to curry favor.”
    “A good thing, too, because she would have seen that at a
glance. Having Helen Featherstock as a friend will be helpful as you move about
Society.”
    “She called you ‘Dyson’ and not ‘Your Grace’,” Emily teased.
“Aren’t you offended?”
    Helen Featherstock knew me when I was in leading strings,”
he answered with a grin. “We’ve never stood on ceremony.”
    “There’s someone over there trying to get your attention.”
Emily gestured her fan at two splendidly dressed men standing at the
refreshment table on the far side of the crowded room. The taller of the
two—and he was very tall indeed—waved and beckoned to them.
    “The waving fellow is Brandon Hightower, Viscount
Pemberton,” Anthony said as they moved between the guests. “The other is
Gregory Keller—Sir Gregory Keller I should say as he has just been awarded a
baronetcy for service to the Crown during the wars.”
    “Really?” Emily studied the slender, dark-haired man. “What
service did he render the Crown?”
    “No one knows for sure and if they do they’re not saying.”
From the corner of her eye, Emily watched a sly grin creep over Anthony’s face.
“Greg certainly isn’t talking, but the wags say he smuggled valuable documents
across the Channel on more than one occasion.”
    They stopped in front of Anthony’s friends and introductions
were made. Sir Gregory smiled at Emily. “You must be the lady for whom Anthony
purchased a mare this morning at Tattersall’s, Mrs. Martin. She’s a beautiful
animal, gentle but with a good spirit. She’ll do you well.”
    “And since Greg is regarded as having one of the best eyes
for horseflesh in London, you may count on his opinion,” the viscount added.
“I’d never buy a horse without asking his opinion first. Anthony, did you hear
that Phillip and Franny may put in an appearance tonight?”
    “Is she enough recovered from childbed for that?” Anthony
asked.
    “So they say,” the viscount answered. “Though we’ve hardly
seen Phillip at his clubs since his son was born. The wags are saying he’s
always in the nursery, holding or rocking or trying to help. The nursemaid is
more than a little put out.”
    “I think it’s wonderful a new father should want to spend so
much time with his baby,” Emily said. “Good for Phillip.”
    “He’s Viscount Danbury,” Anthony corrected.
    “Good for Viscount Danbury then,” Emily rejoined and the men
laughed.
    “We call ourselves Rogues’ Gallery, Mrs. Martin,” Viscount
Pemberton explained. “If Phillip and Amos Quincy were here, we’d be complete.
But perhaps Phillip