Read Online Gypsy Lady by Shirlee Busbee - Free Book Online Page B

had been the present earl's late
brother, Robert. Jason did not care for Pendleton, disliking the cold gray eyes
and the thin, dark, sarcastic features. As Barrymore put it, "Pendleton's
a damned dirty dish! Every family has 'em, and the Tremayne's are no
different." And Jason was inclined to agree with that revealing statement.
There was nothing one could put a finger on: Pendleton's clothes were impeccable,
fitting his manly figure with grace, his manners were acceptable, and he
appeared to live in the style and fashion of a member of the ton. But in spite
of all that, Jason thought, there appeared to cling to him a faint odor of
dark, rank alleys and less than honorable dealings with his fellow men and
women.
    Concealing his aversion,
Jason smiled and offered his hand to Clive. "Will you both join us?"
    It was Elizabeth who answered.
Looking doubtful she said. "Oh, I don't think so. Truly we just came out
for the ride. We cannot stay."
    Barrymore and Harris, after
murmuring a polite greeting, rather pointedly turned their backs and displayed
a sudden, absorbed interest in the bidding. Jason would have liked to have done
the same, for although he was perfectly agreeable to the idea of paying lazy
court to Elizabeth, at the moment his mind was more on the action in the ring.
But unlike his friends, he could not just turn away—especially when her hand
was still on his arm. Smiling down at her, he said mendaciously, "How
unfortunate that we cannot convince you to join us. But perhaps we shall meet
at your mother's ball at the end of next week? I hope you will save a dance or
two for me."
    "Oh, yes, of
course," Elizabeth replied, her fine eyes narrowing just a little at
Barrymore's and Harris's actions. The fact that they were ignoring her was
irritating, and determinedly she asked, "Freddy, are you and Tom coming
to the ball?"
    "Eh?" Tom said,
startled that Elizabeth should address a question to him, but it was Barrymore
who answered smoothly, "Regretfully, no. Tom and I leave tomorrow for
Leicestershire. I have a hunting box there, you know, and we hope to get in a
fortnight or better of hunting before joining Brownleigh's house party in
March."
    "Oh,
how pleasant!" Elizabeth replied untruthfully. "We shall see you then at
Melton Mowbray, for my parents and I as well as Clive are also
attending." Looking at Jason she asked, "Do you intend to be
there?"
    "Yes. Although I know
the Brownleigh's only slightly, Tom and Freddy have managed to get an
invitation for me. I've made arrangements to put up at an inn nearby, so I
shall not be inconveniencing them any more than possible. Despite the fact that
Letitia Brownleigh has assured me that it will be no trouble at all, I am a
latecomer."
    "Oh," Elizabeth
said, the word plainly indicating her disappointment that he would not be as
available as she would have preferred.
    Laying his hand over her
slim gloved one still resting on his arm, Jason said softly, "Never fear, you will still see a great deal of me." Then, his voice losing its intimate
tone, he continued, "I would also like to purchase a few more
horses—mostly with an eye to resale in New Orleans, and by lodging at the inn,
I shall be able to combine business with pleasure." Smiling, he added,
"I do not think that the Brownleighs would appreciate my taking advantage
' of their hospitality to transact personal business."
    Barrymore, tearing his gaze
away from the horses in the ring, tossed over his shoulder, "Damned horse
trader, that's what he is!"
    Clive Pendleton, who had
been standing quietly at Elizabeth's side, apparently unmoved by the sight of
her blatant interest in another man, said briskly, "Well, I'm certain you
will find that there are several farms near Melton Mowbray where you should be
able to buy whatever you desire in the way of horseflesh without any trouble."
    Tom, as if struck by a
startling thought, jerked around and said to no one in particular, "Melton
Mowbray!" Then looking at Elizabeth he added,