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Authors: The Scoundrels Bride
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concluded with a sage nod.
“I can weather the storm. Can you?” Julian looked at the fragile, heart-shaped face so trustingly turned to him with a faint pang in his heart. Was he doing the right thing to involve her in his affairs? Yet she desperately needed his assistance as much as he desired hers.
“I can.” Her face lit up with a smile when they entered the room with a light step.
Julian wondered why she referred to herself as plain. She had a piquant air about her and with that pink rose nestled inside the brim of her chip bonnet next to her equally pink cheek, she looked rather adorable.
He placed a protective arm behind her, guiding her to the first viewing place with solicitous concern.
“Oh,” she breathed, quite forgetting her dire circumstances for the moment, “it is more spectacular than I had believed.”
They slowly circled the viewing platform, studying the magnificent scene before them. “How do you suppose he achieves that lighting effect?” Chloe asked when they had completed the circle. “I vow the mountains appeared so real I could almost feel a chilly wind from them.”
“I’ve never heard. But then,” he said, turning to a topic he wanted to pursue, “you are also talented. I should like to see more of your clever little sketches. Were you serious when you said you had done your grandmother as a dragon?” He guided her along behind Theo and the lively Miss Spayne.
“Yes, for all my sins, I did. It was rather wicked of me, but she had just told me that if I did not accept Lord Twisdale soon she would put me in my room on bread and water until I changed my mind.”
Julian’s grip on Lady Chloe’s arm tightened as he contemplated a grandmother who would treat her own kith and kin in such a manner. His conclusion was that if he could, he would take Lady Chloe away as far as he might from the old dragon. Chloe was far too sweet to be forced into a frightful marriage.
They left the Rotunda, then took a hackney to Gunter’s for ices. For as Theo put it, “If you are to begin this thing, ‘tis best to begin at once.”
Laura smiled at Chloe while the gentlemen presented their order to the waiter. “Please do not worry. Theo told me about the plan and I believe it just might do the thing. Knowing your grandmother, she will feel compelled to alter her intentions once she catches wind of your gentleman admirer. However did you manage it?” she concluded in a wondering voice.
“Later,” Chloe cautioned. “How she will react is more than I can guess.”
Soon pineapple ices were placed before them and the four consumed the treat with relish, even the gentlemen, who could have pretended to be jaded and beyond such things. They parted shortly after that, but not before having been observed by two of the greatest gossips in Town.
“Remember, Theo has promised to do his best and I suspect Miss Spayne will assist him in the task,” Julian reminded her. “All that we need to do at this point is wait to see what develops. Believe me, I am as anxious as you are. I have no wish for a forced marriage, either.”
“We face a similar battle, it seems. And how would I draw your opponent?” she dared to ask.
“I see her as a falcon or other predatory bird,” Julian replied in a musing tone. “Allow me to see what you have done today.”
Lady Chloe hesitantly withdrew her little pad and offered it to Julian with that twinkle in her eyes. “You may not approve, sir.”
He studied the drawing and chuckled. “It is her to the life.” A drawing of the lovely Lady Jersey, portrayed as an elegant butterfly, charmingly illustrated the lady’s true nature. He turned the page and chuckled again. “Mrs. Drummond-Burrell as I live and breathe and as a hawk!” The haughty stare from the noble bird was Clemintaria Drummond-Burrell to a tee. The next page was blank and he looked at Chloe with questioning eyes.
“I cannot quite decide on the next one to do.”
“Do Emily Cowper
“I can weather the storm. Can you?” Julian looked at the fragile, heart-shaped face so trustingly turned to him with a faint pang in his heart. Was he doing the right thing to involve her in his affairs? Yet she desperately needed his assistance as much as he desired hers.
“I can.” Her face lit up with a smile when they entered the room with a light step.
Julian wondered why she referred to herself as plain. She had a piquant air about her and with that pink rose nestled inside the brim of her chip bonnet next to her equally pink cheek, she looked rather adorable.
He placed a protective arm behind her, guiding her to the first viewing place with solicitous concern.
“Oh,” she breathed, quite forgetting her dire circumstances for the moment, “it is more spectacular than I had believed.”
They slowly circled the viewing platform, studying the magnificent scene before them. “How do you suppose he achieves that lighting effect?” Chloe asked when they had completed the circle. “I vow the mountains appeared so real I could almost feel a chilly wind from them.”
“I’ve never heard. But then,” he said, turning to a topic he wanted to pursue, “you are also talented. I should like to see more of your clever little sketches. Were you serious when you said you had done your grandmother as a dragon?” He guided her along behind Theo and the lively Miss Spayne.
“Yes, for all my sins, I did. It was rather wicked of me, but she had just told me that if I did not accept Lord Twisdale soon she would put me in my room on bread and water until I changed my mind.”
Julian’s grip on Lady Chloe’s arm tightened as he contemplated a grandmother who would treat her own kith and kin in such a manner. His conclusion was that if he could, he would take Lady Chloe away as far as he might from the old dragon. Chloe was far too sweet to be forced into a frightful marriage.
They left the Rotunda, then took a hackney to Gunter’s for ices. For as Theo put it, “If you are to begin this thing, ‘tis best to begin at once.”
Laura smiled at Chloe while the gentlemen presented their order to the waiter. “Please do not worry. Theo told me about the plan and I believe it just might do the thing. Knowing your grandmother, she will feel compelled to alter her intentions once she catches wind of your gentleman admirer. However did you manage it?” she concluded in a wondering voice.
“Later,” Chloe cautioned. “How she will react is more than I can guess.”
Soon pineapple ices were placed before them and the four consumed the treat with relish, even the gentlemen, who could have pretended to be jaded and beyond such things. They parted shortly after that, but not before having been observed by two of the greatest gossips in Town.
“Remember, Theo has promised to do his best and I suspect Miss Spayne will assist him in the task,” Julian reminded her. “All that we need to do at this point is wait to see what develops. Believe me, I am as anxious as you are. I have no wish for a forced marriage, either.”
“We face a similar battle, it seems. And how would I draw your opponent?” she dared to ask.
“I see her as a falcon or other predatory bird,” Julian replied in a musing tone. “Allow me to see what you have done today.”
Lady Chloe hesitantly withdrew her little pad and offered it to Julian with that twinkle in her eyes. “You may not approve, sir.”
He studied the drawing and chuckled. “It is her to the life.” A drawing of the lovely Lady Jersey, portrayed as an elegant butterfly, charmingly illustrated the lady’s true nature. He turned the page and chuckled again. “Mrs. Drummond-Burrell as I live and breathe and as a hawk!” The haughty stare from the noble bird was Clemintaria Drummond-Burrell to a tee. The next page was blank and he looked at Chloe with questioning eyes.
“I cannot quite decide on the next one to do.”
“Do Emily Cowper
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