Read Online His Obsession by Ann B. Keller - Free Book Online Page A

of course, my lord,” Penelope readily
agreed. “The remaining flowers are really quite lovely.”
    Kate’s eyes followed the large gentleman as
he exited the room. Even as Penelope served the tea and the
conversation flowed around her, Kate’s gaze strayed repeatedly to
the earl as he slowly walked the familiar paths outside.
    Eventually, Viscount Marbury suggested that
he’d like to see the gardens, as well, and Kate politely escorted
him outside. Once outside, Kate reached down to pluck a yellow mum
from the side of the path and twirled it thoughtfully between her
fingers.
    “Did you hear me, Lady Overton?” the viscount
asked.
    “Hum?” Kate asked, abruptly coming to her
senses.
    Lionel seemed pained.
    “I’m sorry. I was wool gathering. What were
you saying?” Kate inquired.
    “I was saying that you and I seem to get
along rather well, don’t you think?” Viscount Marbury suggested.
“We are compatible.”
    Kate could neither agree nor disagree with
Lionel. She hadn’t been born yesterday. In a moment, she realized
what the viscount might be leading up to. Good heavens, the man was
going to ask her to marry him!
    She didn’t love the viscount. Kate didn’t
love any man, if truth be told, and she doubted that she ever
would. Viscount Marbury wanted a woman he could wear on his arm
like a fancy little bauble. He didn’t really care what she felt or
thought about anything, as long as his intended bride conformed to
his way of thinking. Indeed, Kate mused, Dorothea might have suited
him better.
    “So, I can only hope that you feel the same
way, dear girl,” Lionel declared.
    Kate glanced up to see the viscount looking
at her expectantly.
    “I don’t expect an answer right away, of
course, if you’d like a little time to get to know me better. I
will need to speak with your father, too, so that there is an
understanding between us,” Marbury continued.
    “Yes,” Kate responded, nervously fingering
the lace at her throat. “That might be best.”
    Marbury’s face lit up. “Then you’ll consider
me?”
    Kate’s eyes widened in alarm.
    “Sir, please understand that I -”
    “I know you’ll say yes! I just know it,”
Lionel gushed. “You must!”
    “Must?” Kate questioned with a frown of
annoyance. “My lord, I really don’t think that you understand me at
all.”
    “I must speak with your father immediately!”
Marbury declared.
    Tucking Kate’s hand into the curve of his
elbow, Marbury drew her back toward the house. The irritating man
pontificated all of the way. Kate was quite pleased to bid him
adieu as a servant directed the viscount toward her father’s
study.
    Their guests lingered for luncheon, and
eventually departed. Lord Winslow was hard pressed to leave his
intended. Clearly, Frederick and Helen seemed to be very much in
love and Kate was pleased that her sister had made such a good
match.
    Dorothea, however, made quite a spectacle of
herself on the front steps, waving at the earl’s coach with her
handkerchief and then throwing him moist kisses, as well. The earl
politely nodded while Lionel smirked in amusement. Eventually,
Penelope succeeded in getting the group back inside the house.
    “Well, this has been a most rewarding day!”
Penelope cried. “My dear Helen is betrothed to Lord Winslow. Oh,
you will make such a lovely bride, my dear!”
    “Indeed,” Edgar calmly agreed. “Still, there
is more news.”
    “Oh?” Penelope asked.
    “There may yet be another marriage in the
offing,” Edgar announced.
    Penelope turned expectantly toward Dorothea,
her face beaming with joy.
    “Dorothea? You and the Earl of Devonshire?
Oh, I’m so proud of you. What a splendid match!” Penelope
exclaimed.
    “He hasn’t asked me yet, Mama, but I’m
certain he will soon,” Dorothea confirmed.
    “There, there, dear,” Penelope consoled,
patting her daughter’s hand. “Patience is a virtue. After all, one
cannot rush these things, you know? Still, my daughter a