Read Online Let It Be Love by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online

live up to his word.”
    “Do you?” Gen tossed the magazine aside and sat up. “Then why haven’t you told Cousin Oliver of his lordship’s agreement?”
    “I haven’t had the chance,” Fiona said staunchly.
    “You’ve avoided him, is what you’ve done,” Belle said. “We’ve all noticed it.”
    “I have not,” Fiona lied. Sophie snorted. “You most certainly have. And in increasingly creative ways.”
    Belle jumped to her feet, hooked her thumbs in imaginary lapels and addressed her twin in a deep voice.
    “Come, now, Cousin Fiona, do tell me what transpired between you and Lord Helmsley, as he is one of my dearest friends and you are a member of my family.”
    “Oh, dear, Cousin Oliver”—Sophie’s voice was unnaturally high—“I would, but…” She rose, stretched out one hand toward her twin in a pleading manner and rested the back of the other on her forehead. “As much as I should like to tell you everything, I fear I must swoon now.”
    Gen shifted out of her way and Sophie collapsed theatrically beside her onto the chaise.
    “Poor, poor Fiona.” Gen patted her sister’s head and heaved a dramatic sigh. “She is such a fragile thing and bears such awesome responsibilities now that the girls are all alone in the world.”
    “That is not the least bit amusing.” Fiona tried and failed to stifle a laugh. “I understand Sophie is supposed to be me and Belle is Oliver, but who, pray tell, are you?”
    “Aunt Edwina, of course.” Gen clasped her hands under her chin and gazed heavenward. “Dear, courageous Fiona. Taking care of her orphaned sisters when she should be raising a family of her own.”
    Gen grinned. “She thinks you’re wonderful.”
    “She thinks I am one step away from permanent spinsterhood,” Fiona said wryly. It had not escaped Aunt Edwina’s notice that Fiona was five-and-twenty and unwed.
    “Not for long, with any luck at all.” Sophie studied the older girl. “You’ve told Oliver about Father’s will. Why haven’t you told Aunt Edwina?”
    “Aunt Edwina would have you married in less than a day.” Belle smiled smugly. “And to an excellent catch too, I would wager. I daresay she has any number of friends with eligible sons who would marry you without so much as a by-your-leave.”
    “It shouldn’t be that difficult, really.” Belle surveyed Fiona with a critical eye. “Your age scarcely shows at all.”
    “Thank you.” Fiona resisted the urge to snap and drew a deep breath. “I haven’t told Aunt Edwina because this situation is embarrassing and humiliating and I’d prefer that as few people know as necessary. Besides, I thought having Oliver’s assistance was preferable to his mother’s.”
    “I can see that. Oliver is quite dashing.” Gen grinned in a wicked manner. “Rather a shame he’s a cousin.”
    “Only by marriage.” An eager note sounded in Belle’s voice. “His aunt, Fiona’s mother, was Father’s first wife. And as Father adopted us when he married Mother, why, there’s no true blood connection at all.”
    “I am very much aware of that,” Gen said thoughtfully.
    “Well, put it out of your head right this moment.” Fiona cast a firm glance at each sister in turn. “Oliver is not a potential match for any of you. We need family here in London more than anything else. And he and his mother are all we have.”
    “Pity,” Sophie murmured.
    “Besides, Aunt Edwina is already talking about bringing you all out into society this spring.” Fiona adopted a casual manner. “Should any of you find a match before then, well, I should hate for you to miss a London season and all it entails.”
    Gen glanced at her discarded magazine. “The gowns.”
    “The parties,” Sophie added.
    “The gentlemen.” Belle grinned.
    Fiona sighed reluctantly. “It would be a pity to settle on Oliver before any of you have had the opportunity to see who else might be—”
    “I would hate to disappoint Aunt Edwina.” Sophie struggled to