Read Online The Marriage Mart by Teresa DesJardien - Free Book Online Page A

far written under that nom de plume.”
    Mary nodded. “Oh, surely the author is a woman, don’t you think? And the books are filled with excitement, one cannot deny that.”
    Seeing the gentlemen were looking skeptical at their announcements, Lady Gardner changed topics. “Do you go to Lord Maker’s this evening?” she inquired of Mary.
    “Oh, yes, I am so looking forward to it. I understand Maestro D’Allicio will be performing for us. I have heard he is most remarkable in his talent,” Mary said enthusiastically.
    “I have had the pleasure of hearing Maestro D’Allicio sing before, and it is true, he is a marvel.”
    “Mary sings beautifully herself, and has quite the ear for pitch and style. I will be interested in soliciting her opinion after the performance,” John said.
    “Do you indeed, Lady Mary?” Lord Faver inquired. He was one of the youngest whom John had brought into Mary’s circle, his face free of any lines as yet, and his cravat as high as was currently fashionable even though he did not quite have the length of neck to support such a structure, and so must pivot his head most carefully. He did, however, have dark, inquisitive eyes, a reflection perhaps of an eager mind, and he was every inch a gentleman. Mary had begun to like him at once, despite the fact he was perhaps a bit shy speaking up in the company of ladies.
    The museum was not crowded, so they could admire the displays at their leisure. Lord Faver proved to be something of an authority on Renaissance sculpture, and Rothayne entertained them all with true tales of the lives of the artists.
    Afterward they treated themselves to ices at Gunther’s. As they proceeded to return Lady Gardner and her nephew to that lady’s home, they agreed to look for one another at tonight’s festivity.
    “I shall ask after this rascal here,” Lady Gardner said toward Mary, but with an eye on John. “I cannot like leaving you unescorted in a closed vehicle together, but since it is only three blocks to Edgcombe House, I shall pretend it is acceptable.”
    “My lady, she is safe as a babe with me,” John replied, but all sincerity was negated by the smile that went with the statement.
    “Cad!” Lady Gardner trilled, striking him on the sleeve with her unopened fan. “Look for us at the ball. We’ll be there, though ’tis bound to be another crush, I daresay. Lord Malter does not, in my opinion, believe in moderation.”
    “You will save a dance for me, won’t you, Lady Mary?” Lord Faver asked as he leaned toward her just prior to climbing down. He flushed a little at his own presumption.
    “Of course. The first waltz,” Mary replied.
    “Until then,” the fellow replied, and for a moment she thought he might take up her hand and kiss the back of it, but he did not.
    As the carriage pulled away, John leaned forward and did what Faver had not, taking up one of her hands into his own. True to his word, he had shown little restraint about touching her these days. If she touched his arm, he took it as a signal he was free to do the same. If she reached to remove a smudge from his cheek, he then saw nothing wrong with running a finger over her own cheek, smudge or no. If her foot bumped against his boot, he saw no reason not to play silly foot dueling games with her. Now he looked at her earnestly, for all the world unaware his fingers were massaging her hand and making it tingle.
    ***
    “Things are going well, wouldn’t you say?” he inquired, perfectly aware his fingers stroked the palm of her hand.
    “Yes, I would.”
    “This Faver, he’s a puppy, of course, but you could whip him into shape, I’ve no doubt. His aunt is not convinced, I think--for I would hazard a guess that you are in her mind possibly a ‘conniving older female’--but she has a soft spot for the boy. He’s her heir, you see. I think she could be brought around, for his sake, to any plans we would care to make for him.”
    “After all this time with the older