Read Online The Most to Lose by Laura Landon - Free Book Online Page B

make a perfect wife for Jonah.
    “Oh,” Amanda said, grabbing Celie’s arm none too gently.
    “Oh, what?”
    “Oh, the earl must have another target in mind. He’s already abandoned the Puttnam circle.”
    “Where’s he headed?”
    “There’s a gathering of debutantes on the side of the room next to the open terrace doors.”
    “Who of note is in it?”
    “No one,” Amanda said with a nonchalant shrug, “except…Oh, no!”
    Celie grabbed Amanda’s hand and squeezed her fingers.
    “Ouch,” Amanda said. “That hurt.”
    “It was meant to. Stop torturing me. Who has he focused on now?”
    “The Bedman sisters.”
    Celie breathed in a gasp. “No. Surely he’s been warned that they’re not suitable. Everyone is aware of their reputations.”
    “Perhaps he hasn’t heard.”
    Celie fought the concern building inside her and made a promise that, the next time she saw Haywood alone, she’d tell him to avoid the Bedman sisters at all cost.
    “Is he still there?”
    “No,” Amanda sighed. “He’s walking away from them.”
    “Good,” Celie said with a sigh of relief. “Now where’s he going?”
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather watch him yourself?”
    “No. I don’t want him to think I’m interested in whom he chooses.”
    “But you are.”
    Celie rolled her eyes. “But I don’t want him to know I am.”
    “Oh, very well,” Amanda said, discreetly looking around Celie’s shoulder.
    “Oh.”
    “Oh, what?”
    “I think he’s made his final choice,” Amanda said, ducking back so Celie blocked her from being seen.
    “How do you know?”
    “He’s walking like a man with a purpose. He just walked past several groups of guests without stopping to talk, and his gaze is focused on someone in particular. I’m certain he’s made his choice.”
    “Who is it?”
    “Oh, no, Celie,” Amanda said, lowering her gaze as well as her voice. “This is even worse than the Bedman sisters.”
    Celie’s nerves stretched taut. It was one thing to know Jonah had found someone he wanted to get to know better. It was another to know he’d made a terrible choice.
    “Who, Amanda? Who has he chosen?”
    Amanda kept her eyes lowered and shook her head, as if the person Jonah was targeting were too horrible for words.
    “Turn around and look, Celie. You have to see this for yourself.”
    “I can’t. I don’t want to see who he’s chosen. Just tell me.”
    “Very well. But you aren’t going to like it.”
    Celie’s stomach roiled. “She can’t be that bad. No one can be that bad.”
    “This one is. She’s without a doubt the most undesirable female here.”
    “Who is it?” Celie said much louder than she intended.
    Before Celie could demand Amanda tell her, her friend lifted her gaze and placed the warmest smile Celie had ever seen on Amanda’s cherub-looking face.
    “Good evening, ladies,” Jonah’s deep, rich voice said from behind her.
    “Good evening, Lord Haywood.” Amanda’s voice brimmed with innocence. “We were just talking about you.”
    “Were you?”
    Celie wanted to die. She wanted to fall through a hole in Lady Cushing’s floor and disappear. She wanted to physically hurt Amanda. Instead, she slowly turned in her chair and lifted her gaze.
    Her gaze locked with his and her heart skipped a beat when he smiled.
    Celie found herself staring into a face even more handsome than she remembered from their drive.
    “Good evening, Lady Cecelia.”
    “Lord Haywood,” she greeted softly.
    Amanda cleared her throat to draw attention. “Cecelia was just telling me how much she enjoyed herself yesterday afternoon.”
    “I’m glad.” His smile broadened. “I enjoyed myself as well. It was a lovely day, and I was blessed with the perfect companion.”
    “I’m so glad,” Amanda interrupted, “because I hear the weather is supposed to be perfect tomorrow, too. I’m sure—”
    “Amanda,” Celie warned.
    “What?” Amanda feigned a convincing look of innocence. “I’m