Read Online The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons by Gina Welborn and Kathleen Y’Barbo Erica Vetsch Connie Stevens Gabrielle Meyer Shannon McNear Cynthia Hickey Susanne Dietze Amanda Barratt - Free Book Online
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stung sometimes, a burr amid their fawning. If he and the hallboy switched places, the lad who had never before been noticed would all of a sudden become the most popular person in town. It made him wonder why he even bothered to have a personality.
“I want to be here. Unless, you wish me to go.”
The door opened. Travers entered.
“Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I thought you’d wish to know. Miss Tremaine just posted the letter.” The butler held out an envelope atop a silver salver.
Ignoring the pain rattling every bone in his body, Geoffrey sat up and reached for it. Sure enough, Violet’s finishing-school script flounced across the velum.
Mrs. Millicent Hayward.
“Thank you, Travers. Just what I needed to brighten my day.” He passed the letter to Ada. “Throw that in the fire, will you?”
With more eagerness than the occasion warranted, she stood and chucked the letter into the crackling fire. Hands on her hips, she turned back to Travers.
“Thanks, Trav.” She grinned. “You’re a real pal.” She looked ready to stick out her hand to the stoic gentleman but apparently thought better of it and resumed her seat.
“You’re welcome, ma’am.” Travers bowed stiffly and left the room.
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled.” Geoffrey glanced at Ada. She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “You sure you want to stay?” He had to make certain she still wasn’t thinking of payday.
“Why would I want to talk to Violet Tremaine, when I could have the benefit of your fascinating conversation?” She gave him a playful look.
“Of course there could be no comparison between the two of us.” Keep it light. Keep it simple. They could have fun together, joke together. But no more of the heart-to-heart conversations they’d been having over the past few hours. The forest sprite had gotten under his skin.
And letting her get too close had become far too risky.
Chapter 9
D id all his hired staff feel so… valued?
Sitting beside him that afternoon had done things to Ada that spun way out of control. Her heart twisted at the thought of the sad little boy with everything in his lap, yet truly nothing of worth.
She was not developing feelings for Geoffrey Buchanan. She couldn’t be. They had only known each other a fortnight, a reasonable amount of time to have become friends, but nothing more. Yet what lingered in the air between them
was
more. For her, at least.
She couldn’t make this mistake. Let him mean anything to her except a paycheck and a job. That was all she’d bargained for.
If she wasn’t careful, she’d be left with her money, a job, and a broken heart. The last free of charge.
She forced a cheerful smile as she sat across the table from Mrs. Buchanan and Mamie playing Hearts, the only game she’d confessed to knowing. They seemed to take it in stride, no doubt thinking her sheltered. Preserved from all polluting influences by a careful governess. One who apparently hadn’t included much about proper table etiquette and the various distinctions between imported wines.
“My dear, I’ve been thinking. Since you’ve never been abroad, you and Geoffrey might enjoy a trip to Europe for your honeymoon. There are so many places you would benefit from seeing. Paris. Rome. London. So many romantic destinations to visit and sights to see. I think it would be perfect.”
Oh yes. Totally perfect. But utterly impossible.
“We haven’t spent much time discussing a honeymoon. But I’ll be sure to mention it to him.” She smiled warmly at the woman. “I would dearly love to see Europe.”
“So you shall, I’m sure. From the way he looks at you, I doubt Geoffrey would deny anything you asked of him.” Penelope Buchanan smiled before returning to her cards.
Mamie stared at the wall as if it were the most intriguing thing in the world.
Ada bit her lip. Obviously, Mrs. Buchanan had fallen for her son’s little charade. Bravo to Geoffrey. He’d pulled it off. And
“I want to be here. Unless, you wish me to go.”
The door opened. Travers entered.
“Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I thought you’d wish to know. Miss Tremaine just posted the letter.” The butler held out an envelope atop a silver salver.
Ignoring the pain rattling every bone in his body, Geoffrey sat up and reached for it. Sure enough, Violet’s finishing-school script flounced across the velum.
Mrs. Millicent Hayward.
“Thank you, Travers. Just what I needed to brighten my day.” He passed the letter to Ada. “Throw that in the fire, will you?”
With more eagerness than the occasion warranted, she stood and chucked the letter into the crackling fire. Hands on her hips, she turned back to Travers.
“Thanks, Trav.” She grinned. “You’re a real pal.” She looked ready to stick out her hand to the stoic gentleman but apparently thought better of it and resumed her seat.
“You’re welcome, ma’am.” Travers bowed stiffly and left the room.
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled.” Geoffrey glanced at Ada. She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “You sure you want to stay?” He had to make certain she still wasn’t thinking of payday.
“Why would I want to talk to Violet Tremaine, when I could have the benefit of your fascinating conversation?” She gave him a playful look.
“Of course there could be no comparison between the two of us.” Keep it light. Keep it simple. They could have fun together, joke together. But no more of the heart-to-heart conversations they’d been having over the past few hours. The forest sprite had gotten under his skin.
And letting her get too close had become far too risky.
Chapter 9
D id all his hired staff feel so… valued?
Sitting beside him that afternoon had done things to Ada that spun way out of control. Her heart twisted at the thought of the sad little boy with everything in his lap, yet truly nothing of worth.
She was not developing feelings for Geoffrey Buchanan. She couldn’t be. They had only known each other a fortnight, a reasonable amount of time to have become friends, but nothing more. Yet what lingered in the air between them
was
more. For her, at least.
She couldn’t make this mistake. Let him mean anything to her except a paycheck and a job. That was all she’d bargained for.
If she wasn’t careful, she’d be left with her money, a job, and a broken heart. The last free of charge.
She forced a cheerful smile as she sat across the table from Mrs. Buchanan and Mamie playing Hearts, the only game she’d confessed to knowing. They seemed to take it in stride, no doubt thinking her sheltered. Preserved from all polluting influences by a careful governess. One who apparently hadn’t included much about proper table etiquette and the various distinctions between imported wines.
“My dear, I’ve been thinking. Since you’ve never been abroad, you and Geoffrey might enjoy a trip to Europe for your honeymoon. There are so many places you would benefit from seeing. Paris. Rome. London. So many romantic destinations to visit and sights to see. I think it would be perfect.”
Oh yes. Totally perfect. But utterly impossible.
“We haven’t spent much time discussing a honeymoon. But I’ll be sure to mention it to him.” She smiled warmly at the woman. “I would dearly love to see Europe.”
“So you shall, I’m sure. From the way he looks at you, I doubt Geoffrey would deny anything you asked of him.” Penelope Buchanan smiled before returning to her cards.
Mamie stared at the wall as if it were the most intriguing thing in the world.
Ada bit her lip. Obviously, Mrs. Buchanan had fallen for her son’s little charade. Bravo to Geoffrey. He’d pulled it off. And
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