Read Online The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 by Kimberley Comeaux - Free Book Online
Authors: Kimberley Comeaux
Tags: Book 2 - Regency Brides
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stables, Katherine and Theodora hung back a ways, still whispering in what sounded like an argument.
“Lucy,” Thomas said in a low voice, “I was wondering if you might help me in a plan that involves your sister and Miss Vine.”
Lucy, just as Thomas had supposed, grew excited by the idea of conspiring against her sister. “Oh, I would! What did you have in mind?” she whispered back, her voice full of excitement.
Thomas exchanged a glance with North. “I need you and North to distract Theodora so I might speak with your sister alone. It would be only for a few minutes.”
Lucyʼs eyes narrowed on Thomas, and a conspiratorial smile curved her lips. “You like my sister, do you not?”
Thomas smothered his chuckle with a choked cough.
“Uh—yes, I do.”
She nodded with wisdom beyond her years. “And I suppose you want to be alone with her to recite sonnets or some other such romantic gesture.”
North was the one choking back a laugh this time. “Do you have your sonnets on hand, Thorn?”
Thomas chuckled. “Perhaps I shall save the sonnets for another day. Today I only want to talk to her.”
ʻʼAll right,” she said with resignation, though by her tone, Thomas understood the girl thought her idea of sonnets a better plan than his.
They had arrived at the stables, so Thomas ushered them inside. As usual, the large building was kept clean and tidy.
“It smells in here,” Theodora was quick to comment.
“It is a stable, Theo,” Lucy retorted.
“Do not call me that, Lucinda!” her cousin snapped back in a low, menacing voice.
Thomas saw Lucy was about to say something back, and he jumped in hastily. “North, why donʼt you escort Theodora and Lucy outside where the air is fresher.”
North nodded, giving Theodora one of his charming smiles. “Excellent idea!” He held out his arm to the woman.
“Shall we?”
Thomas was interested to see the older woman actually start to blush and preen a bit. “I would love to,” she said softly, but then she suddenly remembered her duty. “But Kate will be without a chaperone.”
“We will only be right outside. I am sure her reputation will be safe with that and all the groomsmen about,” North countered smoothly.
That was all the convincing it took. North had so enthralled the woman with his appeal, she would have probably followed the handsome duke anywhere. So with Lucy on his other arm, they left Thomas alone with Katherine.
Finally.
~
Katherine watched her cousin with astonishment as she walked out of the stables hanging on to the Duke of Northingshireʼs arm and gazing at him with adoring eyes.
Where has the spinsterish woman gone who is always quoting platitudes on why women are better off without men? She wondered.
“Ah! Here we are.” Thomas brought her attention to the horse he was standing beside. “This beauty is named Sultan, and though he is a lot to handle, he can run like the wind.
Come—you can pet him. Heʼs like most males who become big babies when a lovely lady is around.”
The sleek black horse was, indeed, beautiful, and with a little reverence, Katherine reached out and ran her hand down his forehead and nose. The horse, just as Thomas had predicted, moved to snuggle his head more into her hand. “Dh!
You are a big baby, are you not?” she crooned.
Katherine looked up to find Thomas studying her. She became disconcerted because it seemed he could see so deeply into her heart and mind, discerning her secrets. She lowered her eyes. “Why do you stare at me so?”
Thomas turned away, and he, too, began stroking the horseʼs mane. “I suppose I am trying to understand you,” he commented evenly, but Katherine could tell it was a subject that was serious to him.
She did not want to speak of serious things with Thomas.
Serious talk would lead to serious questions such as those concerning marriage. And as much as Theodora was urging her to hint around about the subject, she was
“Lucy,” Thomas said in a low voice, “I was wondering if you might help me in a plan that involves your sister and Miss Vine.”
Lucy, just as Thomas had supposed, grew excited by the idea of conspiring against her sister. “Oh, I would! What did you have in mind?” she whispered back, her voice full of excitement.
Thomas exchanged a glance with North. “I need you and North to distract Theodora so I might speak with your sister alone. It would be only for a few minutes.”
Lucyʼs eyes narrowed on Thomas, and a conspiratorial smile curved her lips. “You like my sister, do you not?”
Thomas smothered his chuckle with a choked cough.
“Uh—yes, I do.”
She nodded with wisdom beyond her years. “And I suppose you want to be alone with her to recite sonnets or some other such romantic gesture.”
North was the one choking back a laugh this time. “Do you have your sonnets on hand, Thorn?”
Thomas chuckled. “Perhaps I shall save the sonnets for another day. Today I only want to talk to her.”
ʻʼAll right,” she said with resignation, though by her tone, Thomas understood the girl thought her idea of sonnets a better plan than his.
They had arrived at the stables, so Thomas ushered them inside. As usual, the large building was kept clean and tidy.
“It smells in here,” Theodora was quick to comment.
“It is a stable, Theo,” Lucy retorted.
“Do not call me that, Lucinda!” her cousin snapped back in a low, menacing voice.
Thomas saw Lucy was about to say something back, and he jumped in hastily. “North, why donʼt you escort Theodora and Lucy outside where the air is fresher.”
North nodded, giving Theodora one of his charming smiles. “Excellent idea!” He held out his arm to the woman.
“Shall we?”
Thomas was interested to see the older woman actually start to blush and preen a bit. “I would love to,” she said softly, but then she suddenly remembered her duty. “But Kate will be without a chaperone.”
“We will only be right outside. I am sure her reputation will be safe with that and all the groomsmen about,” North countered smoothly.
That was all the convincing it took. North had so enthralled the woman with his appeal, she would have probably followed the handsome duke anywhere. So with Lucy on his other arm, they left Thomas alone with Katherine.
Finally.
~
Katherine watched her cousin with astonishment as she walked out of the stables hanging on to the Duke of Northingshireʼs arm and gazing at him with adoring eyes.
Where has the spinsterish woman gone who is always quoting platitudes on why women are better off without men? She wondered.
“Ah! Here we are.” Thomas brought her attention to the horse he was standing beside. “This beauty is named Sultan, and though he is a lot to handle, he can run like the wind.
Come—you can pet him. Heʼs like most males who become big babies when a lovely lady is around.”
The sleek black horse was, indeed, beautiful, and with a little reverence, Katherine reached out and ran her hand down his forehead and nose. The horse, just as Thomas had predicted, moved to snuggle his head more into her hand. “Dh!
You are a big baby, are you not?” she crooned.
Katherine looked up to find Thomas studying her. She became disconcerted because it seemed he could see so deeply into her heart and mind, discerning her secrets. She lowered her eyes. “Why do you stare at me so?”
Thomas turned away, and he, too, began stroking the horseʼs mane. “I suppose I am trying to understand you,” he commented evenly, but Katherine could tell it was a subject that was serious to him.
She did not want to speak of serious things with Thomas.
Serious talk would lead to serious questions such as those concerning marriage. And as much as Theodora was urging her to hint around about the subject, she was
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