Read Online Miss Quinn's Quandary by Shirley Marks - Free Book Online

Dorothea.
    “Would you be so kind, Sir Randall, as to introduce your guest?”
Lord Fenton drawled.
    Randall’s head snapped toward Lady Dorothea who remained quiet.
“Why, yes of course,” he faltered. “Lady Dorothea Brookhurst ,
may I present Lord Fenton Hartley.”
    Lord Fenton gave a chuckle. “No, no, you’ve quite mistaken, Sir
Randall. It’s Harding.”
    Randall feigned an amused chuckle of his own, joining Lord
Fenton. “Yes, of course. Lord Fenton … Harding and Miss Larissa Quinn. I did
get that right, didn’t I?”
    “Spot on,” Lord Fenton exclaimed with enthusiasm.
    Lady Dorothea enunciated a polite “How do you do.” to each and
said nothing more.
    “Well, hate to run,” Lord Fenton interjected, “but I fear we
must. Good day to you.”
    “You as well,” Randall bid, taking up his ribbons. “Enjoy the
remainder of your drive.”
    Randall signaled his horses to move. He rested his elbows on his
knees and pondered. Why on earth couldn’t Larissa at least have taken an
interest in a man? A real man. Harding wasn’t a man, he was a confounded piece
of fluff. Randall did not care. He need not concern himself with her any
longer. Larissa was out of his life for good.
    Randall felt the touch on his leg. It was the pink gloved hand of
Lady Dorothea. Gads, he had nearly forgotten her again. Bumping into Larissa
had distracted him. What a cad he was.
    He looked down the tunnel of Lady Dorothea’s poke bonnet. Large
blue eyes framed by full lashes gazed back at him, drawing every bit of his
attention, rendering him speechless.
    “Are you quite all right, Sir Randall?”
    Randall sighed. She was all he needed in a wife—considerate and
beautiful, and she had an uncanny ability to make him forget all about Larissa.

Chapter Nine
    “I beg your pardon, Sir Randall,” Laurie interrupted.
    Randall looked up from his book. “Yes, Laurie, what is it?”
    The butler had a regal air about him. “His lordship wishes me to
remind you of the opera performance you will be attending this evening.”
    “I’d be hard pressed to forget it.” Randall cracked a smile.
“Uncle Cyrus has been talking of nothing but the opera.”
    “I hadn’t realized my lord was overly fond of the theater, sir.”
    Randall rested the book on his chest. “I believe it is a lady who
has caught his interest.”
    Laurie’s left eyebrow lifted, while keeping his austere facial
expression intact.
    “Well, I think enough said, really.” Randall glanced at the page
to find where he had left off. “Thank you.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Still seated, Randall noted Laurie had not left. “Is there
something else?”
    “I believe it was the earl’s intention, sir, to have you ready
yourself for this evening’s festivities,” Laurie continued in a disapproving
tone.
    “You can’t be serious.” Randall once again lowered the book.
    Laurie said nothing, but his expression told Randall he had meant
every word.
    “It’s much too early,” Randall commented. “I’ve only just had tea.”
    “That was more than two hours ago, sir,” Laurie corrected.
    “Was it?” Randall regarded the butler in quizzical contemplation.
    “I believe so, sir.”
    “Well, Laurie, regardless of when I took tea, I contend it is not
time to ready myself for the opera. I shan’t bow to his lordship’s whim this
time. Is that understood?”
    “As you say, sir,” the butler replied in elevated tones.
    “I do say. Now off with you,” Randall stated with unquestionable
firmness. He waved his book, dismissing the messenger.
    Not two minutes later, Rushton strode into the library. “Odd’s
fish!” he exclaimed, not at all pleased to see Randall still in his day
clothes. “Why haven’t you dressed? Didn’t Laurie tell you we’d soon be off?”
Randall opened his mouth to answer. His uncle didn’t give him a chance to
speak. “It’s not like him to take what I say into disregard.”
    “He did tell me, Uncle,” Randall finally managed to get it