Read Online Miss Watson's First Scandal (A Miss Mayhem Novella) by Heather Boyd - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Heather Boyd
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shrugged. “I love my brother, but I know his faults well. He will wait until the last moment and then everything will be in a panic. The best thing to do is discuss the matter as rational adults, explain the benefits of a prudent marriage, and hope he sees sense. Will you come?”
“Your brother will not like having a witness overhear any part of the conversation between himself and Hawke,” Imogen warned. “He will be embarrassed if he discovers I’m aware of the problems he faces. What if the gentlemen argue?”
Abigail took a deep breath. “I need a fourth to make the dinner even and I’m also hoping your presence will prevent any words from spilling over into unpleasantness. Please, Imogen. I only ask because I know you can keep a secret.”
Along with keeping the men civil, Imogen would distract her from staring at David’s lips all night. How could she look at him over the dinner table without remembering him nearly naked and undressing him with her eyes? The evening could very well be a disaster if she blushed and stammered that he was the most beautiful man she had ever met. At least Imogen could be counted on to kick her under the table if she was struck dumb by him.
“All right, but don’t expect me to have any influence on either gentleman,” Imogen said eventually. “They always do as they wish in my opinion. Eight o’clock?”
“Thank you. I knew I could count on you.” She gave Imogen a long hug and then fell back on the mattress. “With you there tonight I’m sure the evening will end well. Peter would never raise his voice in front of you.”
“Don’t be surprised if he does.” Imogen stood. “At least I’ll be on hand to prevent any further kisses from occurring between you and Mr. Hawke. I won’t leave you alone with him for even a moment. Now, how about we take a walk? All this fretting over David and Peter is very bad for you. The fresh sea air will clear your head.”
Abigail allowed Imogen to pull her to her feet and they made slow progress toward the channel. Although Imogen meant well by her words, they disappointed Abigail. She’d been secretly hoping for another opportunity to speak privately with David about Peter’s future marriage. She was hoping he’d come up with an idea to encourage the match between her brother and Miss Merton because Abigail couldn’t think of one. And if they were alone, and kisses were in the offing, would it be entirely bad if she tasted David just once more?
“Imogen,” Abigail began. “How is it you’ve become such an authority on men?”
A small smile twisted her friend’s lips. “Believe me, it wasn’t planned.”
Abigail caught Imogen’s arm. “Come on. I told you my secrets. It’s about time you shared yours.”
Imogen was the closest thing to an older sister and she felt a little cheated to be excluded from her secrets.
Her friend sighed. “Very well. I fell in love a long time ago, but it didn’t last or lead to anything more.”
“But why not? You’re lovely.”
“The gentleman’s thoughts and mine didn’t align. I thought I had found the love of my life and planned to marry him but he thought he’d found a naïve and willing girl to warm his bed for the summer.”
“That’s terrible.” Abigail stopped. “What happened? When did this happen?”
“Two summers ago.” They let a carriage pass and then continued on for the seashore. “When I discovered my error, and his plans, I made sure the gentleman walked with a distinct limp for a little while.”
“You did what Peter warned me to do if ever I was importuned.”
Imogen nodded. “I’ve considered thanking him for the suggestion, but that could lead to questions I’d rather not answer. Since then, I’ve made a study of the men of our acquaintance. They really are simple creatures. A suggestion of pleasure or a favorite treat can often be the perfect lure to get what you want from them.”
Abigail sighed. So far she had failed to tempt David
“Your brother will not like having a witness overhear any part of the conversation between himself and Hawke,” Imogen warned. “He will be embarrassed if he discovers I’m aware of the problems he faces. What if the gentlemen argue?”
Abigail took a deep breath. “I need a fourth to make the dinner even and I’m also hoping your presence will prevent any words from spilling over into unpleasantness. Please, Imogen. I only ask because I know you can keep a secret.”
Along with keeping the men civil, Imogen would distract her from staring at David’s lips all night. How could she look at him over the dinner table without remembering him nearly naked and undressing him with her eyes? The evening could very well be a disaster if she blushed and stammered that he was the most beautiful man she had ever met. At least Imogen could be counted on to kick her under the table if she was struck dumb by him.
“All right, but don’t expect me to have any influence on either gentleman,” Imogen said eventually. “They always do as they wish in my opinion. Eight o’clock?”
“Thank you. I knew I could count on you.” She gave Imogen a long hug and then fell back on the mattress. “With you there tonight I’m sure the evening will end well. Peter would never raise his voice in front of you.”
“Don’t be surprised if he does.” Imogen stood. “At least I’ll be on hand to prevent any further kisses from occurring between you and Mr. Hawke. I won’t leave you alone with him for even a moment. Now, how about we take a walk? All this fretting over David and Peter is very bad for you. The fresh sea air will clear your head.”
Abigail allowed Imogen to pull her to her feet and they made slow progress toward the channel. Although Imogen meant well by her words, they disappointed Abigail. She’d been secretly hoping for another opportunity to speak privately with David about Peter’s future marriage. She was hoping he’d come up with an idea to encourage the match between her brother and Miss Merton because Abigail couldn’t think of one. And if they were alone, and kisses were in the offing, would it be entirely bad if she tasted David just once more?
“Imogen,” Abigail began. “How is it you’ve become such an authority on men?”
A small smile twisted her friend’s lips. “Believe me, it wasn’t planned.”
Abigail caught Imogen’s arm. “Come on. I told you my secrets. It’s about time you shared yours.”
Imogen was the closest thing to an older sister and she felt a little cheated to be excluded from her secrets.
Her friend sighed. “Very well. I fell in love a long time ago, but it didn’t last or lead to anything more.”
“But why not? You’re lovely.”
“The gentleman’s thoughts and mine didn’t align. I thought I had found the love of my life and planned to marry him but he thought he’d found a naïve and willing girl to warm his bed for the summer.”
“That’s terrible.” Abigail stopped. “What happened? When did this happen?”
“Two summers ago.” They let a carriage pass and then continued on for the seashore. “When I discovered my error, and his plans, I made sure the gentleman walked with a distinct limp for a little while.”
“You did what Peter warned me to do if ever I was importuned.”
Imogen nodded. “I’ve considered thanking him for the suggestion, but that could lead to questions I’d rather not answer. Since then, I’ve made a study of the men of our acquaintance. They really are simple creatures. A suggestion of pleasure or a favorite treat can often be the perfect lure to get what you want from them.”
Abigail sighed. So far she had failed to tempt David
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