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 Page A

hopefully enjoyed the reprieve from hounding females.
    Yet what came after? When he broke off their engagement in a public scene and paid her off quietly later? Would he get the peace he so desperately wanted? Every time she thought of it, a hard lump settled in her throat. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered was Teddy’s health. Who cared if Mr. Millionaire was miserable or not.
    It’s strange, doing something I love with someone else.
    Well, in just a few days he’d have to find someone else. Because she wouldn’t be here.
    A strange ache speared her heart.
    “You know, dear, I congratulate you. I had my doubts at first, whether or not you’d be a suitable wife for Geoffrey.” Mrs. Buchanan won the game and laid down her cards. “But after seeing you together, I’m completely convinced you’re perfect together. Don’t you agree, Mamie?”
    Mamie nodded, her dangly emerald earrings swaying. “Most completely. They’re a perfect match. Ada has all the qualities Geoffrey so desperately needs. Charm. A sense of fun. And she’s not afraid to speak her mind. While Geoffrey has…” She tapped her finger to her chin. “Well, he’s got the US Mint.” She grinned. “They’re totally perfect for each other.”
    A lump engulfed Ada’s throat, even as she laughed with Mamie. Tears burned her eyes.
    She stood so quickly she nearly knocked over her chair.
    “Why, honey, what’s the matter?” Mamie gave her a curious look.
    “I’m fine.” She put on her practiced smile. “Just a splitting headache.” And a breaking heart. “But I think I will retire, if you all don’t mind.”
    “Of course not, dear. Would you like for me to send up a tonic? I have some wonderful headache powders in my room.” A worried frown knit Mrs. Buchanan’s brow.
    “No, thank you. I’ll be all right, if only I can get some rest. Please… excuse me.” She hurried from the drawing room and out into the dark and silent hall.
    Tears clogged her throat and she sank against the cool marble, pressing her cheek against the edge of a pillar. If she had to look into their eyes another minute… Mrs. Buchanan’s full of such hope and expectation. The woman actually believed Ada was marrying her son. Had even grown to like her. Though honestly, she wasn’t fit for anything other than cleaning the woman’s house. If Mrs. Buchanan knew the truth, she’d agree.
    She would never know. In just a few days Ada would return to oblivion while Mrs. Buchanan resumed the hunt to find her son a suitable wife.
    “Why did I ever agree to this, Geoffrey Buchanan?” She pressed her gloved hand to her mouth to quell her sobs. “Why? I thought this was just going to be a job. Only a job. I didn’t expect to…”
    Fall in love with you.
    But blast him, she had.

    Tonight was it. The charade ended. Hopefully no one would take a second look at him after what he was about to do to Ada.
    He adjusted his tie with shaking fingers. She sat across the table from him, looking so heartbreakingly beautiful in an emerald-colored dress edged in black lace, the candlelight capturing the diamonds at her throat.
    Thank goodness, none of this was real. He would never dream of humiliating her this way if she were truly his.
    She’d played her part well. Too well sometimes. Sitting by him while his ankle healed, reading
War and Peace.
The motorcar rides. The croquet matches. She’d been an adept performer. Earned her paycheck and more.
    Geoffrey drew in a sharp breath. Glanced across the table at Ada and nodded briefly. They’d played it cool all day, so the evening’s events wouldn’t come as a great surprise. Still, she smiled at him, that reckless grin that told him she didn’t take any nonsense.
    He smiled back. He’d let himself enjoy these last few moments. Drink in her smile like water before a trek through the desert.
    The man who someday gained her heart, and someone eventually would, could never deserve her.
    She cleared her throat softly.