Read Online No Marriage of Convenience by Elizabeth Boyle - Free Book Online
Authors: Elizabeth Boyle
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began a fluttering rush of words. “Why I can’t tell you how delightful it is to have you, and I do mean both of you, here again at our humble residence.” The woman barely took a breath as she caught Riley by the elbow and towed her up the steps.
“My best friend and dearest confidante, Lady Delander ,” Cousin Felicity said, emphasizing the woman’s name as if to tell Riley how truly important this Lady Delander was, “will be pea-green when she learns of the veritable social revolution Lord Ashlin has undertaken by engaging your services. I would venture that you may find yourself no longer tromping about the planks, as they say in the theatre. Why, you’ll be completely booked, and I do mean in complete and utter demand with only the best young ladies seeking to learn your…oh, how does one say it…” she spared a blush at Hashim, before she whispered into Riley’s ear, “your Eastern secrets.”
Eastern secrets? Eh gads, it was worse than she thought.
Riley took a deliberate step backward from the door,but between Cousin Felicity’s grip on one elbow and Hashim’s firm hold on the other, escape appeared impossible.
Aggie’s favorite encouraging words peeled in her ears. Fortitude, my love. Fortitude.
Glancing around the formidable Ashlin foyer, with its grand marble staircase, dark oak trim, and yellow brocade curtains, she tried to tell herself it wasn’t so different from the lobby of their theatre.
Well, without the marble. And the Ashlin house didn’t smell of spilled wine and forgotten chestnuts.
“Once I tell our little secret to Lady Delander—”
“We won’t be telling anyone about Madame Fontaine, Cousin Felicity,” Lord Ashlin announced from the door of his study.
His interruption startled Riley, not only with the firm order underlying his words, but with the deep tones that rustled up her spine, leaving her both breathless and filled with a strange anticipation.
Pox and bother, she silently cursed. He had the ability to set her at odds with just the sound of his voice. Riley could well imagine the Earl using his rich baritone to coax a woman into something less benign than just keeping his secrets.
Thank goodness he found her barely tolerable, as evidenced by his glowering expression. She didn’t even want to consider what she would be willing to do for this man…
“But, Mason—”
“Not one word, Cousin,” he told the lady, his sharp intent unwavering.
Riley could see a room full of students snap to attention under such a command.
From the far-reaching frown on Cousin Felicity’s face,the lady did not appear willing to give up just yet. “Oh, Mason, not even Lady Delander? I’ve had such a vexing time trying to outdo her since her niece became betrothed to Lord Penford.” She turned to Riley. “You’d think the lady had arranged the marriage herself, to hear her tell the story. And hear it I do, every time I dine with her.” She turned her imploring wide, blue-eyed gaze on Lord Ashlin.
He shook his head. “Madame Fontaine and I have several matters to discuss before this situation continues any further.”
“Fuss and bother, my boy, you are the worst scold and toady. One would think you a foundling and not an Ashlin to be so strict!” She hurried up a few steps further. “Well, at least I’ll be able to sit in on the girls’ lessons and pick up a thing or two. Mayhap you’ll have four brides from Ashlin Square this Season.” She blushed and turned around on the stairs, looking up and down the steps. “Oh, where was I going?”
Riley, realizing very quickly that since their last meeting Lord Ashlin had changed his mind and was about to cancel their agreement, prompted the lady without hesitation. “The girls?”
Cousin Felicity’s mouth curved into a wide smile. “The girls! Of course. I’ll have your students downstairs in the wink of an eye.” She bustled upward without another glance back.
“Cousin Felicity!” Mason protested, but the
“My best friend and dearest confidante, Lady Delander ,” Cousin Felicity said, emphasizing the woman’s name as if to tell Riley how truly important this Lady Delander was, “will be pea-green when she learns of the veritable social revolution Lord Ashlin has undertaken by engaging your services. I would venture that you may find yourself no longer tromping about the planks, as they say in the theatre. Why, you’ll be completely booked, and I do mean in complete and utter demand with only the best young ladies seeking to learn your…oh, how does one say it…” she spared a blush at Hashim, before she whispered into Riley’s ear, “your Eastern secrets.”
Eastern secrets? Eh gads, it was worse than she thought.
Riley took a deliberate step backward from the door,but between Cousin Felicity’s grip on one elbow and Hashim’s firm hold on the other, escape appeared impossible.
Aggie’s favorite encouraging words peeled in her ears. Fortitude, my love. Fortitude.
Glancing around the formidable Ashlin foyer, with its grand marble staircase, dark oak trim, and yellow brocade curtains, she tried to tell herself it wasn’t so different from the lobby of their theatre.
Well, without the marble. And the Ashlin house didn’t smell of spilled wine and forgotten chestnuts.
“Once I tell our little secret to Lady Delander—”
“We won’t be telling anyone about Madame Fontaine, Cousin Felicity,” Lord Ashlin announced from the door of his study.
His interruption startled Riley, not only with the firm order underlying his words, but with the deep tones that rustled up her spine, leaving her both breathless and filled with a strange anticipation.
Pox and bother, she silently cursed. He had the ability to set her at odds with just the sound of his voice. Riley could well imagine the Earl using his rich baritone to coax a woman into something less benign than just keeping his secrets.
Thank goodness he found her barely tolerable, as evidenced by his glowering expression. She didn’t even want to consider what she would be willing to do for this man…
“But, Mason—”
“Not one word, Cousin,” he told the lady, his sharp intent unwavering.
Riley could see a room full of students snap to attention under such a command.
From the far-reaching frown on Cousin Felicity’s face,the lady did not appear willing to give up just yet. “Oh, Mason, not even Lady Delander? I’ve had such a vexing time trying to outdo her since her niece became betrothed to Lord Penford.” She turned to Riley. “You’d think the lady had arranged the marriage herself, to hear her tell the story. And hear it I do, every time I dine with her.” She turned her imploring wide, blue-eyed gaze on Lord Ashlin.
He shook his head. “Madame Fontaine and I have several matters to discuss before this situation continues any further.”
“Fuss and bother, my boy, you are the worst scold and toady. One would think you a foundling and not an Ashlin to be so strict!” She hurried up a few steps further. “Well, at least I’ll be able to sit in on the girls’ lessons and pick up a thing or two. Mayhap you’ll have four brides from Ashlin Square this Season.” She blushed and turned around on the stairs, looking up and down the steps. “Oh, where was I going?”
Riley, realizing very quickly that since their last meeting Lord Ashlin had changed his mind and was about to cancel their agreement, prompted the lady without hesitation. “The girls?”
Cousin Felicity’s mouth curved into a wide smile. “The girls! Of course. I’ll have your students downstairs in the wink of an eye.” She bustled upward without another glance back.
“Cousin Felicity!” Mason protested, but the
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