Read Online The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) by Rhonda Woodward - Free Book Online
Authors: Rhonda Woodward
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recalling how she never failed to take him to task for
almost
being late.
Mayhap I shall go to London.
As he drew even with the entrance to the Rooms, he glanced over to make sure he was in no danger of colliding with a carriage merging onto the street. Framed by a glow radiating from the room behind, he saw two women stepping from the columned entryway. One of the young ladies was much taller than the other. Instantly, his eyes were drawn to her upswept hair, which glowed pale gold in the moonlight.
Swiftly, he pulled his bay to a prancing stop. Thunderstruck, he stared as the tall young lady followed the other into the interior of a carriage.
He watched the conveyance pull forward onto the lane. It made a wide turn and rolled past him down Alfred Street.
Kel knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had just seen the young woman he had insulted last spring. And by her attire, he had been wrong in his assumption that she was a maid.
Pulling the reins to bring his horse’s head around, he lightly spurred the animal in the direction from whence he had just come. With his boredom dissolved, he decided that Bath might afford some amusement after all.
Chapter Six
“I own that Mr. Dillingham is a charming man, and his countenance shows much refinement, but the tattle is that he is shockingly dipped.”
Julia laughed at her cousin’s warning. “I only said he was a fine dancer—I do not wish to marry him.”
The two young women were strolling across the wide bowling green toward a less crowded part of Sydney Gardens. Julia, accustomed to a good amount of exercise, had welcomed her cousin’s suggestion of an outing.
The day was cloudless, but a chill breeze made her glad that she had brought along her large India wrap to throw over her shoulders.
Caro looked up at her cousin, tilting her head well back due to the angle of the enormous brim of the bonnet she wore. It, like the rest of her lemon-colored ensemble, was the pinnacle of fashion. Gazing down, Julia thought Caro had an air of sophistication that was rather misleading.
“Don’t you wish to be married?” Caro asked as she swung her reticule to and fro.
Taking in her cousin’s avid expression, Julia shrugged lightly. “Not today.”
“Oh, you are the droll one. You know what I mean. Has no young man ever touched your heart?”
As they meandered in a gradual ascent toward a little stand of trees, Julia gave this question some thought before answering. Caro had assured her earlier that they would find a most delightful cascade and vine-covered stone alcove in which to pause.
“Yes, I did have a
tendre
for a gentleman once,” Julia finally responded in a matter-of-fact manner.
Surprised, Caro stopped walking to stare up at her. “You did! Who was it? What happened?”
“It was years ago,” Julia replied. “I was eighteen and terribly smitten with Steven Thorncroft. I thought him the most handsome, fascinating young man in the district.”
“Mariah’s older brother?” Caro’s tone held disbelief. “How delicious. Why did you not marry him?”
“I had the mortifying experience of overhearing him discuss me with your brother at one of the assembly balls in Chippenham.”
“Roland? Heavens, Julia, do not keep me on tenterhooks.”
“I was standing behind a screen near the refreshments—I cannot now recall why, probably to shamelessly eavesdrop. Anyway, Roland said, ‘But you have to admit, Thorncroft, Julia is a passably pretty gel.’ To which Steven replied, ‘Passably pretty for such a long-shanks.’”
“Oh! You are a very good mimic, but how dreadful to have overheard that.”
“Indeed. I feigned illness and was taken home.”
“Dear Julia, you can tell me—is Steven Thorncroft the reason you have not married?”
At the note of deep concern in her cousin’s voice, Julia tossed her head back and laughed in sheer amusement.
“Lud, no. It was not long after the ball that I realized what a dull fellow he actually is.
almost
being late.
Mayhap I shall go to London.
As he drew even with the entrance to the Rooms, he glanced over to make sure he was in no danger of colliding with a carriage merging onto the street. Framed by a glow radiating from the room behind, he saw two women stepping from the columned entryway. One of the young ladies was much taller than the other. Instantly, his eyes were drawn to her upswept hair, which glowed pale gold in the moonlight.
Swiftly, he pulled his bay to a prancing stop. Thunderstruck, he stared as the tall young lady followed the other into the interior of a carriage.
He watched the conveyance pull forward onto the lane. It made a wide turn and rolled past him down Alfred Street.
Kel knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had just seen the young woman he had insulted last spring. And by her attire, he had been wrong in his assumption that she was a maid.
Pulling the reins to bring his horse’s head around, he lightly spurred the animal in the direction from whence he had just come. With his boredom dissolved, he decided that Bath might afford some amusement after all.
Chapter Six
“I own that Mr. Dillingham is a charming man, and his countenance shows much refinement, but the tattle is that he is shockingly dipped.”
Julia laughed at her cousin’s warning. “I only said he was a fine dancer—I do not wish to marry him.”
The two young women were strolling across the wide bowling green toward a less crowded part of Sydney Gardens. Julia, accustomed to a good amount of exercise, had welcomed her cousin’s suggestion of an outing.
The day was cloudless, but a chill breeze made her glad that she had brought along her large India wrap to throw over her shoulders.
Caro looked up at her cousin, tilting her head well back due to the angle of the enormous brim of the bonnet she wore. It, like the rest of her lemon-colored ensemble, was the pinnacle of fashion. Gazing down, Julia thought Caro had an air of sophistication that was rather misleading.
“Don’t you wish to be married?” Caro asked as she swung her reticule to and fro.
Taking in her cousin’s avid expression, Julia shrugged lightly. “Not today.”
“Oh, you are the droll one. You know what I mean. Has no young man ever touched your heart?”
As they meandered in a gradual ascent toward a little stand of trees, Julia gave this question some thought before answering. Caro had assured her earlier that they would find a most delightful cascade and vine-covered stone alcove in which to pause.
“Yes, I did have a
tendre
for a gentleman once,” Julia finally responded in a matter-of-fact manner.
Surprised, Caro stopped walking to stare up at her. “You did! Who was it? What happened?”
“It was years ago,” Julia replied. “I was eighteen and terribly smitten with Steven Thorncroft. I thought him the most handsome, fascinating young man in the district.”
“Mariah’s older brother?” Caro’s tone held disbelief. “How delicious. Why did you not marry him?”
“I had the mortifying experience of overhearing him discuss me with your brother at one of the assembly balls in Chippenham.”
“Roland? Heavens, Julia, do not keep me on tenterhooks.”
“I was standing behind a screen near the refreshments—I cannot now recall why, probably to shamelessly eavesdrop. Anyway, Roland said, ‘But you have to admit, Thorncroft, Julia is a passably pretty gel.’ To which Steven replied, ‘Passably pretty for such a long-shanks.’”
“Oh! You are a very good mimic, but how dreadful to have overheard that.”
“Indeed. I feigned illness and was taken home.”
“Dear Julia, you can tell me—is Steven Thorncroft the reason you have not married?”
At the note of deep concern in her cousin’s voice, Julia tossed her head back and laughed in sheer amusement.
“Lud, no. It was not long after the ball that I realized what a dull fellow he actually is.
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