Read Online To Tame a Scoundrel's Heart (A Waltz with a Rogue Novella Book 4) by Collette Cameron - Free Book Online

tone.
    “It is indeed.” Needham’s perceptive gaze swung between his daughter’s portrait and Nic several times.
    Astute man. Had he heard and discerned Nic’s interest?
    Perhaps Needham would consider a duke rather than a major? No, a doting papa, he’d let Katrina make the choice, and she’d already picked her dashing soldier.
    And Nic had chosen the sea.
    “Mama, I confess, I’m having a deucedly difficult time contriving a list of seemly candidates for his grace’s bride.” Sinking into the chair opposite Nic, Katrina arranged her skirts and gave her mother an engaging smile. “Might I impose upon you to assist me?”
    Osborne entered with the tea tray, and a few moments passed as Mrs. Needham poured tea and everyone selected a scrumptious pastry. At last, she answered her daughter.
    “I should be happy to lend you my advice. I’m sure if we put our heads together, we’ll muster a few acceptable ladies.” She lifted the plate of assorted confections, offering Nic another, which he gratefully accepted. No flaky delicacies like this on The Weeping Siren .
    “How fare your sisters, Pendergast?” she inquired, returning the plate to the table. “I met the dears once, several years ago. Delightful and charming, and both quite bashful.”
    His mouth full, Nic gulped the half-chewed Shrewsbury tart, damn near strangling in the process. He swallowed twice more, cleared his throat, took a hefty sip of tea and scalded his blasted tongue before he could speak.
    Uncouth bumpkin.
    “Aye, they are timid, and they’ve been isolated for months with a crusty barnacle of a governess as the duchess and my brother toured the continent. If I had female relatives, besides Aunt Bertie, that is, I’d promptly move my sisters in with them until I marry. I’m afraid right now, they’d be uncomfortable with only me about. I am a stranger to them, after all.”
    “Too bad Miss Sweeting doesn’t have a bigger house. Your sisters could live with her for the time being. She’d adore it, for she’s quite lonely.” Katrina sipped her tea, a far-off expression on her face.
    At least she hadn’t noticed him nearly choking to death or ogling her portrait.
    Mrs. Needham set her china cup upon the oval tea table. “Hugo, what say you we invite Miss Sweeting and his grace’s sisters to stay with us until he marries?” She flicked her fingers ceilingward. “We’ve several empty bedchambers, and since I presume Miss Sweeting will live with Pendergast too, it will give the ladies a chance to become acquainted before he weds.”
    “Surely that would be an enormous imposition,” Nic demurred, though the notion appealed a great deal. Traveling between Chamberdall Court, Aunt Bertie’s, London, and his appointments with Katrina wouldn’t leave him much time for assemblies or courtship.
    Katrina nodded eagerly, the shiny, loose curls near her ears pirouetting. “That’s a splendid idea. And, since Mama and I shall work closely with his grace on finding a bride as well as helping him with a few other areas he has expressed an interest in polishing—”
    She swung him an expectant look, and Nic produced a bashful grin.
    “Dancing, properly knotting a cravat, which fork or spoon to use, a new wardrobe ... I’m sadly lacking in refinement,” he admitted.
    Needham leaned into his ornate chair, his tall frame almost too big for the dainty structure. Hands folded across his trim waist while clearly taking Nic’s measure, he wiggled his fingertip.
    Would Nic pass muster?
    “I have no objection, and as someone born on the wrong side of the blanket myself, I can empathize with what you’ve endured these many years, Pendergast. Also with what your sisters will bear.” He scratched his nose and hooked an ankle over his knee. “That’s why I extended you the funds to buy your ship, you know, though you were hardly more than a boy. I saw your potential, your determination, and might I say, you’ve not disappointed.”
    Such a rush