A Dash of Scandal by Amelia Grey Read Free Book Online Page B

gaming.
    â€œWell, what do you think of Miss Bardwell?” Andrew asked again.
    Chandler hesitated before saying, “Since you asked for honesty, I think her father’s purse is bigger than her heart, and a January day would be warmer than her bed.”
    Andrew laughed. “It’s no wonder we have gotten along so well together these past years. We think so much alike. She does remind one of a cold cod with her pale complexion, light blue eyes, and blond hair. You know, according to the tittle-tattle, she’s determined to capture one of us this Season.”
    â€œBe my guest,” Chandler said, knowing it best not to make a further comment about the young lady. Andrew could be seriously considering her for a match. “And tell me, since when do you know what the gossips say?”
    â€œI read them from time to time just to see if they still think I’m worth writing about, and so do you. Don’t try to deny it.”
    â€œI read them in hopes there will come a day I won’t find my name printed there.”
    â€œThe day they stop writing about us will be when we’re dead or married, and I’m sure they don’t care which comes first. Better they talk about us than forget about us. They were rather vicious to you about Lady Lambsbeth and her husband, but since that time, it hasn’t been so bad, has it?”
    Chandler didn’t want to go down the road that led to Lady Lambsbeth again so he took the conversation back where it had started. “Don’t worry, Andrew. More desirable young ladies than Miss Bardwell have tried to catch us and failed. Keep the faith.”
    â€œHmm. There have been a few ladies over the years who have tried to entrap us. Some of them have been quite delightfully clever.”
    â€œSome have been beautiful.”
    â€œSome wealthy.”
    Chandler’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you, by any chance, hinting that Miss Bardwell might have had reason to have made such a brash statement that she intended to marry one of us this Season?”
    â€œMaybe. Maybe not, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a lady having more money than heart. After all, a good mistress can make up for the warmth that’s lost in the marriage bed. That is what lovers are for, isn’t it? An acceptable wife gives a man children, and a mistress gives him pleasure.”
    How had they become so cynical?
    Somehow Chandler knew he didn’t want what Andrew just described. “Maybe it works that way for a desperate man.”
    â€œWhich neither of us are,” Andrew added.
    â€œAnd may we never be.”
    It was all the rage for members of the peerage to seek the arms of a mistress, but Chandler knew he didn’t want another woman in his bed after he married. Although he wasn’t going to admit that to anyone other than himself. And he certainly wasn’t going to admit he was interested in taking a wife. It wouldn’t be worth the raucous remarks he’d have to suffer. He was surprised Andrew was letting it be known that he might actually be pursuing the idea of making a match.
    Chandler turned his attention back to the young lady with the golden eyes. The dance had ended and she was being escorted off the crowded floor. He watched her until she was returned to Viscountess Heathecoute. No doubt the tall, buxom lady was her chaperone for the evening and quite possibly for the entire Season.
    â€œWhat do you think about Miss Pennington?”
    Preferable to Miss Bardwell.
    Chandler looked back to Andrew. “She appears to be a favorite among the younger bachelors this Season. I hear she’s enjoying the attention of all of them, accepting four and five calls in an afternoon.”
    â€œThat many?”
    â€œFrom what I hear, but we both know how unreliable gossip is.” Chandler smiled ruefully at his friend. “I think she’s already rejected two offers of a match, including Albert