Read Online Whirlwind Wedding by Jacquie D'Alessandro - Free Book Online
Authors: Jacquie D'Alessandro
Tags: Romance
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visions.
Still, if Caroline befriended her, perhaps his sister could offer him some insights into Miss Matthews's character. Yes, he definitely needed to speak with Caroline.
As soon as possible.
Austin's first opportunity to have a private word with Caroline was in the drawing room before dinner that evening. Maneuvering her aside, he remarked in a casual tone, "It appears you've made a new friend."
Caroline accepted a glass of sherry from a footman. "You mean Elizabeth?" At Austin's nod she said "We spent most of the day together. I like her very much. She's unlike anyone I've ever met."
"Indeed? What is so unusual about her?"
"Everything," Caroline said without hesitation. "Her knowledge of medicine, her love of animals. She's amusing, but her humor is not at the expense of others. She did not utter an unkind word about anyone the entire day."
"That isn't unusual," Austin muttered, relieved that Miss Matthews had clearly said nothing to upset Caroline. "That's a miracle." Especially given the way the members of the ton had treated her.
"Exactly. She possesses an interesting combination of shy awkwardness and bold intelligence, yet I sensed a sadness about her. She misses her home."
"Had you met her before last evening?"
"We were introduced but I hadn't had the opportunity to speak with her at great length."
"Have you heard any gossip about her?"
"Only that she is a poor dancer and considered somewhat of a bluestocking. I noticed that most of the gentlemen ignore her, but I believe I may have fixed that."
He stilled. "What do you mean?"
Caroline waved her hand in a breezy manner. "I simply shared a few fashion ideas with her, then sent my abigail to her this evening to style her hair." Her blue eyes sparkled with sudden interest. "Why do you ask about Elizabeth?"
"Just curious. I observed you with her today, playing with the kittens."
He smiled at her. "It was good to hear you laughing."
"I cannot recall the last time I enjoyed myself so much. I believe Elizabeth and I will be the best of friends. Have you had the chance to speak with her?"
He arranged his features into a bland mask. "Yes."
"And what did you think of her?"
"I thought she was . . ." His words drifted off as he caught sight of her entering the drawing room. Exquisite.
Surely this ravishing creature wasn't the same woman whom the gentlemen of the ton ignored. How could any man who saw her not want her? Dressed in a simple gown of ivory silk, a long, unadorned fluid column of alabaster, she rendered most of the other women in the room overdressed and garish in comparison.
Her auburn tresses were caught up in an elegant topknot. A single thick curl cascaded over her shoulder, ending just below her waist, an enticing streak of shimmering color against a pale background. He'd had no idea her hair was so long, and he wondered what she would look like with it unbound falling down her back. Exquisite.
She hesitated in the doorway, her eyes anxiously searching the guests until they lit on Caroline. A smile warmed her golden brown eyes, a look that he noticed faltered when she caught sight of him standing next to Caroline.
"Doesn't she look marvelous!" Caroline enthused. "I knew with the correct dress and coiffure she'd be stunning. Why, I've transformed her into a swan!" Caroline glanced at him, then whispered "Stop frowning, Austin. I told Elizabeth to meet me here by the fireplace and you'll frighten her away."
"I'm not frowning."
Caroline sent him an arch look. "Your countenance resembles a thundercloud. Shall I fetch you a mirror?"
He forced his facial muscles to relax. "No."
"That's better. You never finished telling me your impression of Elizabeth."
Austin watched her making her way across the room, pausing to chat with her aunt. His hands clenched when he noticed that every damn man in the room was watching her as well. She glanced in his direction and their eyes met for several heartbeats before she raised her chin a notch, then
Still, if Caroline befriended her, perhaps his sister could offer him some insights into Miss Matthews's character. Yes, he definitely needed to speak with Caroline.
As soon as possible.
Austin's first opportunity to have a private word with Caroline was in the drawing room before dinner that evening. Maneuvering her aside, he remarked in a casual tone, "It appears you've made a new friend."
Caroline accepted a glass of sherry from a footman. "You mean Elizabeth?" At Austin's nod she said "We spent most of the day together. I like her very much. She's unlike anyone I've ever met."
"Indeed? What is so unusual about her?"
"Everything," Caroline said without hesitation. "Her knowledge of medicine, her love of animals. She's amusing, but her humor is not at the expense of others. She did not utter an unkind word about anyone the entire day."
"That isn't unusual," Austin muttered, relieved that Miss Matthews had clearly said nothing to upset Caroline. "That's a miracle." Especially given the way the members of the ton had treated her.
"Exactly. She possesses an interesting combination of shy awkwardness and bold intelligence, yet I sensed a sadness about her. She misses her home."
"Had you met her before last evening?"
"We were introduced but I hadn't had the opportunity to speak with her at great length."
"Have you heard any gossip about her?"
"Only that she is a poor dancer and considered somewhat of a bluestocking. I noticed that most of the gentlemen ignore her, but I believe I may have fixed that."
He stilled. "What do you mean?"
Caroline waved her hand in a breezy manner. "I simply shared a few fashion ideas with her, then sent my abigail to her this evening to style her hair." Her blue eyes sparkled with sudden interest. "Why do you ask about Elizabeth?"
"Just curious. I observed you with her today, playing with the kittens."
He smiled at her. "It was good to hear you laughing."
"I cannot recall the last time I enjoyed myself so much. I believe Elizabeth and I will be the best of friends. Have you had the chance to speak with her?"
He arranged his features into a bland mask. "Yes."
"And what did you think of her?"
"I thought she was . . ." His words drifted off as he caught sight of her entering the drawing room. Exquisite.
Surely this ravishing creature wasn't the same woman whom the gentlemen of the ton ignored. How could any man who saw her not want her? Dressed in a simple gown of ivory silk, a long, unadorned fluid column of alabaster, she rendered most of the other women in the room overdressed and garish in comparison.
Her auburn tresses were caught up in an elegant topknot. A single thick curl cascaded over her shoulder, ending just below her waist, an enticing streak of shimmering color against a pale background. He'd had no idea her hair was so long, and he wondered what she would look like with it unbound falling down her back. Exquisite.
She hesitated in the doorway, her eyes anxiously searching the guests until they lit on Caroline. A smile warmed her golden brown eyes, a look that he noticed faltered when she caught sight of him standing next to Caroline.
"Doesn't she look marvelous!" Caroline enthused. "I knew with the correct dress and coiffure she'd be stunning. Why, I've transformed her into a swan!" Caroline glanced at him, then whispered "Stop frowning, Austin. I told Elizabeth to meet me here by the fireplace and you'll frighten her away."
"I'm not frowning."
Caroline sent him an arch look. "Your countenance resembles a thundercloud. Shall I fetch you a mirror?"
He forced his facial muscles to relax. "No."
"That's better. You never finished telling me your impression of Elizabeth."
Austin watched her making her way across the room, pausing to chat with her aunt. His hands clenched when he noticed that every damn man in the room was watching her as well. She glanced in his direction and their eyes met for several heartbeats before she raised her chin a notch, then
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