A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page A

of boredom,” he said, putting his cup back on the saucer.
    “But why aren’t you going to be here?”
    “I have to oversee some business for my father.”
    “Surely you can postpone it. The Brightons aren’t happy about their daughter’s choice of husbands—he’s only a country doctor. Her mother feels she’s marrying well beneath their social status, and we really should show our support.” Mia offered Garrett a plate of frosted cakes. “Prudence will be devastated if her friends aren’t there to rally round her.”
    “It’s an engagement dinner, not a funeral,” Garrett said, helping himself to a cake. “Besides, I seriously doubt Prudence Brighton will even notice my absence.”
    “But I will. Please, Garrett . . . can’t you put the business off until later?” She knew he would be moved by her use of his name. She always seemed to accomplish more when she left out the formalities of using titles. Fortunately she and Garrett had the kind of background that would allow for such things.
    He slumped back into his chair. “Who do you have in mind for me to meet?”
    Mia realized in that moment she’d have to be very careful. She was close to winning Garrett over to her plan. “Josephine Monroe. She’s very pretty. I’m sure you’ve seen her before.”
    “I have indeed. How old is she—twelve?”
    Mia saw that he was seriously surprised. “Jo is nineteen and very accomplished. She completed finishing school and will make a wonderful hostess. She can also play the pianoforte and speaks French fluently.”
    “Nineteen is much too young for me, accomplished or not.”
    Mia could see he would need some help in being convinced. “Garrett, there are a great many women who marry much older men. Why, Lydia Frankfort is marrying a man fifteen years her senior—and he has two children.”
    “That may be good for Miss Frankfort, but it’s not for me.”
    “I’m not suggesting you go to the Brighton dinner and propose. I simply want to introduce you properly and give you time to get to know one another. You’ll never know if love is a possibility unless you get to know someone.”
    Garrett frowned as he looked away. “I’ll allow the introduction, but please do not ask anything more of me. I’d just as soon spend my time with you.”
    Mia thought that rather sad. Garrett Wilson was possibly the most eligible bachelor in all of Philadelphia, yet he seemed completely uninterested in finding a wife. She studied him for a moment. His dark hair had fallen over his left eye, begging to be pushed back, but otherwise he seemed perfectly ordered. His coat fit him like a glove, and he always looked handsome no matter the setting. Garrett was possibly the most intelligent man she’d ever known. He could easily converse about political or economical issues, then turn less serious and discuss art and furnishings. Any woman would find him quite companionable. If only Mia could get Garrett to understand.
    After several minute of silence, Mia decided to drop the topic. So long as Garrett showed up at the dinner, she would manage the rest.

    That night Mia once again dressed carefully in old clothes. She did her best to hide any appearance of her elite way of life, knowing it would only hinder her chance to gain the confidence of the woman she was to meet at the church.
    Deborah Denning was a woman in her late twenties. She had at least four children that Mia knew of, and she was married to a sailor. Word had come to her from Mrs. Smith that the woman was willing to talk to Mia about the unbearable situation in the seamen’s tenement.
    Mia listened carefully at the door to ensure that the house was quiet. Her parents’ room was at the end of the opposite wing, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t hear a pin drop if they thought there was a need. She eased the door back and took a deep breath.
    There was always an element of fear whenever she made these late night treks. Yet Mia felt compelled to continue her