Read Online The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale - Free Book Online Page B

the original poems been bland (and that was putting it nicely), the few bachelors who attended were nearly crushed in the swarm of the young ladies and their marriage-minded mamas. Nor did Phillip attend the dinner hosted by Lady Wentworth, a nice enough affair, even if the woman really ought to hire a decent cook. But Phillip had waltzed with her (once) at the Ravensdale Ball, and (once) again at the Crawford soiree. Each time, he maintained a proper distance between them, leaving her to wonder if his reputation was exaggerated, and if she had imagined that sensational second waltz. As a week had now passed since that night, and since there was no betrothal to announce, Emilia assumed a few people were paying their losses.
    “It is a horribly depressing day,” Lady Palmerston said, rustling the pages of her newspaper. “I don’t think we shall receive many callers this morning, and I have no inclination to pay calls myself, or do anything that requires me to leave this chair.” There goes my plan to go to the circulating library, Emilia thought.
    “Do you think Lord Huntley will call on us today?” Emilia asked, looking out the window once more.
    “Probably not, as he is most likely feeling the aftereffects of imbibing far too much alcohol,” Lady Palmerston answered, not even looking up from her gossip column, which detailed a raging party at the home of a certain actress, Mrs. Roth, better known for her performances in the bedroom than on the stage, if the gossip sheets were to be trusted. Usually, they were. Apparently, a certain Lord H— had enjoyed a game of whist, a large quantity of brandy, and Mrs. Roth. One must keep track of these things.
    “Perhaps he has business appointments or something,” her niece offered, in such a hopeful tone that it nearly broke Lady Palmerston’s heart and yet still managed to vex her. Clearly her dear niece did not have much experience with rakes, rogues, and scoundrels.
    “Emilia, dear,” she began, setting down the paper. “Perhaps my brain is no longer functioning properly, due to my old age—”
    “You can’t be older than five and forty, which is not so very old. But while we are on the subject, how old are you?”
    “It’s a secret. But please, do explain why you are in love with Lord Huntley.”
    “I do believe it was a case of love at first sight,” Emilia said reluctantly, moving from the window to the settee.
    “The most unreliable sort,” Lady Palmerston said.
    “But we had a connection ,” Emilia persisted.
    “I see,” she replied. When trying to obtain information, particularly from love-struck young girls, it was only necessary to ask one question before all the desired information came tumbling out.
    That explained quite a bit. The scoundrel was handsome. And he did happen to be at the right place at the right time. That really was all it took for love at first sight, she thought. But if there had been a “connection,” it appeared that Lord Phillip had either forgotten it or had never felt it. Then again, the man was a fool.
    “But now,” Emilia went on, “I am not so sure. But I keep wanting to give him chances to make me sure. Does that make sense? Like that second waltz at the Maclesfield Ball. I thought I would melt, right there in the ballroom. And yet, when he calls, he is perfectly pleasant, but I don’t feel anything.”
    “It does make some sense,” she replied. Phillip did seem intently focused on Emilia that evening, more so that he usually did.
    “Besides, I am terribly bored just sitting here.”
    “Hmmph.” She, personally, found Lord Phillip to be terribly tedious and did not see how his presence in her drawing room would relieve anyone’s boredom.
    “Were you this confused when Lord Palmerston was courting you?” Emilia asked. Her aunt seemed thoughtful for a moment before responding.
    “No. He was a very blunt and honest man. But, obviously, I never took another husband since this courtship business can be so .