Read Online Her One True Love by Rachel Brimble - Free Book Online

usual over-the-top enthusiasm. All too aware of Katy’s love of gossip and ardent pursuit of a moneyed beau, Jane cleared her throat. “Well, it was very kind of you to stop by, but as you can see, I am perfectly well looked after. Maybe I can call on you tomorrow?”
    â€œI think your footman is waiting for instruction, sir,” Katy murmured, her gaze still firmly on Matthew.
    Matthew glowered and turned to Simmons. “Would you be so kind to see if Jeannie has managed to light a fire and some lamps in the drawing room? It seems Miss Danes may have some extra unexpected company this evening.”
    Simmons glared at Katy’s profile before dipping his head. “As you wish, sir.”
    Positively squirming, Jane concentrated on holding her fraying temper as Katy continued to talk at her usual extraordinary rate. Matthew continued to listen to Katy’s chattering, his expression one of unquestionable impatience. Once again, his smile had vanished into obscurity.
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    As they walked into the drawing room, Matthew glared at the back of the silly Wrexford girl’s head as her blond curls bobbed and leapt from beneath her overly flamboyant hat. How, in a million years, could Jane have befriended such an excitable woman-child? Her chatter was incessant.
    Jane steered Miss Wrexford toward a seat by the fire, and Matthew cast his gaze around a dingy, male-oriented drawing room that Noel Danes had never seemed to have much care for.
    The lit lamps offered little cheer to the dark walls and furnishings, or the settee upholstered in dark mahogany velvet that clashed blindingly with the lime green curtains. On and on Miss Wrexford talked, her voice sounding more and more like the drone of bees. He wandered to the fireplace and stared into the dust-covered foliage that, at some point, might have served to offer a modicum of brightness to the depressing room.
    He put his hand on Simmons’s shoulder as he rose from the hearth. “Why don’t you join Jeannie in the kitchen? I’m sure she would have at least found a kettle to put on to boil by now.”
    Simmons nodded. “As you wish, sir. Shall I send her through with a tea tray if she’s able?”
    â€œIf she doesn’t mind, it would be appreciated.”
    Simmons nodded and left the room.
    â€œMatthew? I just explained to Katy that you will not be available for tea tomorrow afternoon, isn’t that right?”
    Jane’s question snapped Matthew’s attention from Simmons’s retreating back, and he quickly bypassed Miss Wrexford’s flushed face and green, excitable eyes to focus entirely on Jane. “I’m sorry? Tea?”
    Her cheeks flushed and she widened her eyes as if pleading with him . . . or maybe offering him salvation. “Yes. Katy suggested we might like to take tea at the Pump Room with her and some acquaintances tomorrow. She’d like to introduce me to a few ladies currently in the city. I said you were here on business, so—”
    â€œOn the contrary . . .” Matthew straightened, before dipping his head in gratitude to Miss Wrexford. “I’d be delighted.”
    Despite his determination that Jane could seek her independence, he wasn’t prepared for that independence to begin quite yet. Every instinct told him Miss Katy Wrexford could not be trusted and as much as he knew Jane capable of taking care of herself, he wanted to be sure her first days in the city weren’t enough to dampen her pursuit of what she came here to do.
    Miss Wrexford burst into a round of clapping and bouncing up and down in her seat. “Wonderful! That is such good news. Mama will, of course, join us. My friends are quite an eclectic bunch, Squire Cleaves, so I am sure you won’t find yourself in want of attention or conversation.”
    Matthew held Jane’s shocked, maybe even furious, stare. “I’m sure I won’t.” He turned to Miss Wrexford. “What