Read Online The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands - Free Book Online

exceptionally lovely this evening?”
    “You may,” Suzette said with a laugh. “We may even believe you mean it.”
    Lord Findlay grinned with appreciation, and then turned his gaze to Lisa. “I arrived later than intended this evening and know there is probably no hope, but you would not have at least one dance left on your card that I might put my name to?”
    “As it happens, my lord, we were a bit tardy arriving as well,” Lisa lied, retrieving her dance card. “And I believe I just happen to have a couple of dances still free.” She perused the small card as if she didn’t know exactly which dances she had open, and then asked, “Would you prefer a waltz or a quadrille?”
    “Both,” he said at once, and then grinned and added, “If I may be so bold?”
    Lisa ignored the narrowing of her sisters’ eyes and then said lightly, “Well, I shall put you down for the waltz. I suspect I shall be quite worn out by the time the quadrille comes around and in need of refreshment.”
    “Then I shall be pleased to fetch you a beverage and take you out on the terrace for some night air during the quadrille,” he assured her with a grin, and then immediately added, “Along with your sisters, of course.”
    Lisa smiled and wrote his name into her card. She then nodded and murmured appropriately as he excused himself.
    “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” Suzette asked, catching Lisa’s arm and pulling her around to face her and Christiana once the man was gone.
    “What ever do you mean?” Lisa asked with feigned confusion. But she knew exactly what Suzette meant. She had handled the entire situation with an aplomb she just didn’t normally possess and suspected it was the aftereffects of the drinks Mrs. Morgan had poured down her throat. While she was no longer unsteady on her feet, she did still feel slightly disconnected from her feelings. There hadn’t been any of the usual hand sweats or fluttery nervousness that she had suffered in the past at country dances. Tonight she’d felt completely unconcerned and confident as each man approached, even with the very handsome Lord Findlay, and that was despite the fact that she’d hoped he would approach.
    This unusual confidence and calm had allowed her to arrange things as she wished, however, which she was grateful for. At least one good thing had come out of today’s adventures. Well, two, she decided. If Robert was never going to love her as she loved him, it was better she accept it now than to wait on the shelf until she was too old to find a husband.
    The thought made her chin lift with determination. Bollocks to Robert. He would die a lonely old man, and it would be all his own fault for turning away the one woman who could love him with all his flaws.
    “You—” Suzette began, but then paused as the music started and Rotham, the first fellow on Lisa’s dance card came to claim her.
    Lisa was a good dancer. Despite being a little disoriented, she managed to follow the steps with grace and ease as she was repeatedly claimed and whirled around the room by admirers. But she was on automatic, her eyes searching the ballroom for two men, Lord Findlay and Robert. She was keeping tabs on Lord Findlay to see who he danced with and who her competition was. She was searching for Robert because . . . well, out of habit, she supposed, and forced her attention back to her dance partner.
    Really, she had no further interest in Robert Maitland, Lord Langley, Lisa reminded herself firmly. Besides, he obviously hadn’t bothered to come tonight. But then, why would he? When Christiana had asked Richard if Robert planned to come tonight as they’d ridden here in the Radnor carriage, her husband had laughed and said no, Robert intended to avoid being anywhere there might be husband-hunting maids and their mothers.
    Well, bully for him. She didn’t need him here distracting her anyway, Lisa decided. Though, one small part of her brain wished he was