Read Online Wallflower (Old Maids' Club, Book 1) by Catherine Gayle - Free Book Online

make himself
agreeable to both Miss Jennings and her mother. Miss Jennings’s
conversation, while slightly more invigorating than that of Miss
Leatham (since she managed to at least discuss the string quartet
coherently), was still rather colorless.
    She had a penchant for discussing the
newest fashions of the day and whether a particular shade of ribbon
ought to be worn with another particular shade of gown. She did at
least have the decency of looking uncomfortable in discussing such
things with a gentlemen. Noah wondered briefly why she would do so
if it left her ill at ease. Perhaps her mother had told her that
was what she was expected to discuss. Pity. She had an animation
about her when she spoke with other young ladies that was
intriguing, to say the least—similar to Lady Charlotte’s, but
without the unfortunate consequences which might endanger those
with whom she spoke.
    Noah had a very difficult time
imagining spending a lifetime with nothing more stimulating to
discuss than when they might next expect rain or whether the
violinist had properly tuned her instrument, and frankly, the
thought of discussing ribbons and coiffures for the rest of
eternity gave him the shakes. When the intermission came to a
close, he escorted Miss Jennings and her mother back to their seats
and took up his next to the debutante, though he did not envision
the remainder of the musicale to be more sensational on the
heiress-becoming-bride front than the first half had
been.
    In truth, his expectations came to
fruition. Miss Jennings was not an altogether disagreeable chit,
but she kept looking over to her mother for approval of her
conversation and behavior.
    Exploring his other options, apart
from Lady Tabitha, was proving itself to be a rather unpleasant
affair. But he could see no way around it. By all indications from
last night, Lady Tabitha wanted nothing to do with him right
now.
    Noah said his farewells to
Miss Jennings and her mother. Miss Jennings, at least, seemed
agreeable to him paying her a call soon. They could walk through
the park or go for a ride. There could be some possibility there. It
might prove to be more than possibility, if he could convince her
to discuss something more invigorating next time.
    He would have to try.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    “ You’re half-cracked. Even
Bethie would agree.” Jo grasped Tabitha’s arm forcefully and pulled
her into one of the dimly lit alcoves along the foyer of the
Theatre Royal. “Lady Marianne Pratt is an absolute twit if ever
I’ve met one. Toby will murder you.”
    Tabitha fought the urge to roll her
eyes heavenward. “She’s perfect for him. Young. Pretty. What’s not
to suit his fancy?”
    “ Perhaps the fact that her
head holds more cobwebs than thoughts?”
    “ Which, I thought we
agreed, ought to suit Toby flawlessly,” Tabitha replied. “He’s
never been the brightest, if you haven’t noticed. Besides, he cares
far more for how a lady will look draped over his arm than he does
for how stimulating her conversation might be. I rather think he
has other things
in mind than discussing Plato’s dialogues when he’s with a lady.”
Not that Tabitha would ever think to discuss such a thing with a
gentleman, herself, but that was hardly the point.
    Jo’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I never
imagined I’d say this, but you are being too harsh on your brother,
Tabby. It’s ugly on you.”
    Tabitha blanched. Too
harsh? Ugly? Was she truly so intent upon her own wishes that she
was not looking after the best for her brother? Finding him a bride
would do him good. It would. It was Toby and what was best for him that she
was thinking of, and not her own interests. Wasn’t it? She sniffed.
“I can’t help that he’s proven his nature time and
again.”
    “ I thought this was all
about encouraging him to change his nature. Don’t you want him to marry so that
he’ll leave you alone? Why throw a nitwit in his path, one who will
bore even him to tears?”
    “