Read Online No Regrets by Michèle Ann Young - Free Book Online

thin cloak of civility made him fascinatingly attractive.
       Caro's blood thrummed at the illicit thought. As her gaze reached Lucas's face, she became aware of his quizzical gaze and knowing smile. Dear heaven, he must have seen her slow perusal. And from the look in his eye, it seemed he had guessed the direction of her thoughts.
       Heat burned her cheeks. She glanced quickly away, focusing on the gently smiling Mr. Bascombe.
       "Pleased to see you again, Lady Foxhaven," Bascombe drawled. He nodded to Lucas. "Are you ready, Luc?"
       Lucas made for the door. "Almost. I'll tell them to bring Maestro around." The eagerness in the set of his broad, black-clad shoulders indicated his desire to be gone. How boring he must find her.
       As Caro gestured for him to be seated, Bascombe carefully lifted the tails of his coat and took the chair vacated by Lucas. "How are you enjoying London, Lady Foxhaven?"
       His friendly smile soothed her flayed nerves. She managed a chuckle. "I haven't seen much at all, apart from the inside of Madame Charis's."
       He nodded wisely. "You can't do better than put yourself in the hands of the great Madame Charis." He gazed at the door.
       More heat flooded her cheeks and throat. Would she ever get all this right? He wasn't here to discuss fashion. "Lucas tells me you are going to Hyde Park?"
       He grinned and glanced at the clock. "That was certainly the plan."
       Guilt slumped her shoulders. Her inability to handle Aunt Rivers had made Lucas late. "I'm sure he'll only be a moment."
       "Good book?" he asked, nodding at the volume on the table beside the sofa.
       "Miss Austen."
       "Ah. My youngest sister likes her work."
       "You have a sister?"
       He grimaced. "Three."
       A wave of longing to see the girls washed over her. "I also have three sisters."
       A knowing expression lit his blue eyes. "Quite a trial, ain't it?"
       "Oh, no. I . . ."
       Lucas strode back into the room and propped one foot on the edge of the hearth. "Keeping Lady Foxhaven amused, Bas?"
       Bascombe nodded, his gaze fixed on her novel. "Did you purchase your book in London?"
       Caro nodded. "Yes, at Hatchard's."
       His expression turned serious. "You did warn Lady Foxhaven not to shop on Bond Street after midday, didn't you, Luc? Nothing but a bunch of ogling beaux." His fair skin above his collar turned pink. "You will find yourself quite out of countenance."
       "Actually, I didn't think of it," Lucas said, apparently horror-struck.
       How like him not to remember to tell her something so important after she had informed him of her intention to shop in Bond Street. "Thank you for warning me, Mr. Bascombe. I should hate to embarrass myself."
       Lucas stared at her for a moment and then pushed himself away from the hearth and sat beside her on the sofa. He glanced over at his friend. "Bas, I had actually planned to talk to you about this."
       Frowning, Bascombe crossed his feet at the ankles. "Shopping in Bond Street?"
       "No." Lucas shook his head. "Introducing Lady Foxhaven to the ton. She doesn't have any female relatives of her own in London and doesn't know anyone yet. My Aunt Rivers has offered to take her to Covent Garden on Friday, but well . . ."
       "Bit of a she-dragon." Bascombe's tone held sympathy.
       Caro sent him a quick smile. "Frightening." Somehow she felt she could be straightforward with Lucas's good friend.
       "Thing is," Lucas continued, "Aunt Rivers will provide tickets to Almack's, but I don't think Caro will like spending all her time with a pack of dowdy dowagers."
       Bascombe shot him a sharp glance. "Why can't you take her?"
       He curled his lip. "To Almack's? You know me. Balls, routs, and debutantes. Not my style."
       "You don't have to worry about debutantes any more, you lucky dog. No need to dance with anyone except your wife."
       The expression of distaste on Lucas's