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

face remained firm. He obviously couldn't think of anything worse than dancing with his chubby unfashionable wife, Caro thought. Her heart sank.
       "Caro doesn't want me hovering around, do you?" He cocked a brow in her direction.
       She didn't? They'd agreed not to interfere with each other, and she'd started on the wrong foot with his aunt. A mistake she would not repeat. And if she was going to get all hot and fluttery every time she looked at him, avoiding his company might be a good idea. "Certainly not."
       Bascombe looked from one to the other with a puzzled frown.
       Seemingly oblivious, Lucas continued, "What Caro needs is a female around her own age who can take her under her wing until she gets established." His mouth turned down. "I just can't think of anyone suitable."
       "That doesn't surprise me," Bascombe said. He pursed his lips, appearing to give the matter some thought. "Tisha," he announced.
       Lucas looked blank.
       "My married sister, Lady Leticia Audley. Thing is, Audley's in the foreign office, or some such. He's been assigned to the embassy in Paris and left Tisha moping in Town. Blue as a megrim. This might be just the thing to cheer her up."
       Hope flittered in Caro's breast. "Do you think so?"
       A doubtful expression lurked in Lucas's dark eyes. "Tisha's been on the town for years, and she certainly knows the ropes, but she's a bit on the flighty side. At least she was—"
       Bascombe coughed. "Settled down quite a bit since she married Audley."
       The more she heard, the more she liked the sound of Lady Audley. To have a friend who knew her way around the ton would be a boon. "If you think she'd be willing . . ."
       Bascombe waved a languid hand. "My mother was only saying this morning that Tisha needs something to take her mind off Audley's absence. She's been in the doldrums ever since he left. Mother doesn't have the time; she's far too busy with the young'uns. I think she would feel a whole lot easier in her mind if Tisha had a sensible companion while Audley's away."
       Sensible. He meant unattractive. Someone who was unlikely to get the spirited Lady Audley into a scrape. "Oh, I see."
       Bascombe leaned back. "My mother would be most grateful, but there's no sense in denying that Tisha's a bit of a gad-about. I could well understand if you don't like the idea."
       Someone as worldly as Leticia Audley sounded would surely find Caro dull. But not if she changed—the idea popped into her head from nowhere. "I do like it."
       A piercing glance shot from beneath Lucas's lowered brows at his friend. "I'm not sure Caro is ready for your sister."
       Bascombe grinned. "I tell you what, I promised to escort her to the theater on Friday in Audley's absence. I'll bring her to your box. You can see if you hit it off."
       Perfect. They could look each other over before deciding anything. Caro nodded. "I'd love to meet her."
       With the look of a thwarted man, Lucas clapped Bascombe on the shoulder. "What a dull dog you are, Bas, playing escort to your sister. Becoming quite domesticated."
       The words must have struck a nerve with the drawling Mr. Bascombe. He glowered. "And I suppose you ain't. You're the one who's married."
       Caro winced at Lucas's sudden blank expression.
       He strode toward the door. "Come on, Bas. The horses are champing at the bit. "I'll see you tomorrow," Bascombe called over his shoulder on his way out.

Four

    Caro reached for the strand of pearls on the polished dressing table, her only piece of jewelry. It had been her father's wedding gift to her mother.
       "Stop fidgeting, my lady," Lizzie grumbled.
       "Sorry."
       Lizzie finished tying off her stays, and Caro held up her arms to allow the maid to drop the gown over her head without disturbing her coiffure.
       The hairdresser recommended by Beckwith turned out to be an artiste par excellence and had teased and curled