Read Online The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online Page B

all right?”
    “Quite.” Delilah coughed. “I must have swallowed something that didn’t go down well.”
    “Understandable,” Samuel murmured.
    Delilah resisted the urge to glare.
    “Although, as Delilah does not remember you,” Grayson said, “perhaps you should put
     more effort into your ability to charm and not depend entirely on those roguish American
     good looks of yours.”
    Samuel laughed.
    “Nonsense, Grayson,” Camille chided. “I find Sam most charming and I daresay I shall
     continue to do so the better I get to know him.”
    “I for one would never forget meeting you.” Teddy flashed Samuel a brilliant smile.
     “Therefore, the fault must lie with Dee for doing so.”
    “As I said, it was probably another shepherdess I met. Therefore the mistake . . .”
     Samuel’s gaze caught Delilah’s. “Was mine.”
    “One of many, no doubt,” Delilah said before she could stop herself.
    “But rarely the same one twice.” The look in Samuel’s eyes belied the polite smile
     on his lips.
    “Ah, well, rarely is not the same as never but the trick is in the rarely.” Delilah
     smiled. “Isn’t it?”
    Samuel chuckled. “It usually is.”
    “Is this your first trip to England, Sam?” Camille said, steering the conversation
     in a far less dangerous direction.
    “Actually, this is my third visit,” Samuel said. “Although I’ve never seen anything
     of the country outside of London.”
    “We shall have to change that,” Teddy said. “You simply must see . . .”
    The conversation erupted into a spirited debate on which of England’s sights the American
     absolutely had to see from the ruins of Whitby Abbey to the ancient Stonehenge to
     the scenic lake district with Camille, Teddy, and Grayson each lobbying for their
     favorite. Good. Perhaps the man would spend these weeks before the wedding traveling
     the country.
    There was nothing she could do about him really unless she intended to shove him out
     the door. And that would be rude. Tempting but rude. Still, as long as he was here,
     she would have to avoid him as much as possible. His presence might well ruin everything.
     The man seemed intent on baiting her. And it was exceptionally hard not to rise to
     that bait. Sooner or later, someone was bound to notice if they hadn’t already. Why,
     every time she glanced in his direction, his gaze was on her.
    The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know about her adventure or mistake or
     whatever it was. Teddy would keep her secret but Camille would never be able to resist
     telling Beryl. And if Beryl didn’t tell anyone, although there was nothing Beryl loved
     more than being the bearer of juicy gossip, the simple fact that she knew was bad
     enough. Beryl would love knowing about Delilah’s indiscretion. Delilah could practically
     hear her chortling about it now. Camille would certainly tell Grayson as well, who
     would no doubt feel it his duty to say something to Samuel. And who knew what would
     happen then.
    Besides, Delilah fully intended to narrow down the possibilities for her next husband
     in these last weeks before the wedding. It was her plan and an excellent plan at that.
     But it would not do for any of her candidates to think she was unsuitable. A woman
     of loose moral values. A tart. Her gaze met Samuel’s once again and she’d had quite
     enough.
    “If you will all excuse me, I have some pressing correspondence to attend to.” Delilah
     rose to her feet, the men standing at once. “Grayson, I may need to call on you later
     for advice of a legal nature.”
    “Of course.” Grayson nodded.
    “If there is anything I can do,” Samuel offered.
    “You?” Delilah stared at him with as pleasant an expression as she could muster. “Are
     you well versed in the complexities of the legal system in this county then?”
    “No, I’m afraid not.” He shook his head. “However, I do have well-respected solicitors
     in London who are.”
    “I am certain