A Lot Like a Lady by Kim Bowman, Kay Springsteen Read Free Book Online

husband.
    But how?
    It wasn’t like he could go up to members of the ton and say, “Pardon me, did you snub my stepmother and stepsister because you thought I had?” That would certainly send tongues wagging about him, Regina, Annabella, and his father all over again, and Grey could not allow that. Better to show through his actions that they had his support. Which meant he would have to tolerate her presence for the time being. Well, he had no one to blame but himself.
    But that did not mean he had to be punished for an entire Season to make amends. A dinner party, perhaps a ball or two, and maybe taking her to see a few London sights should undo the damage. And of course he’d mention to the right members of the ton how he was glad he finally convinced his dear stepsister to visit. Then he’d just as casually confide that his stepmother had been unwilling to leave the country since his father’s death because she was so heartbroken and that poor Annabella had been reluctant to leave her mother’s side until recently. By the time he was through, the ton would be clamoring for Regina’s presence at all their social events, and every bachelor in Town would beg for Annabella’s hand.
    It wouldn’t make up for the past few years. Absently, Grey tugged the silken bell cord to summon Higgins.
    Nothing will.
    In short order, the door opened and the butler stepped inside. “Yes, your grace.”
    “Please inform Lady Harmony I wish to speak with her.”
    The servant gave him a stiff bow. “Straight away, your grace.”
    While he waited, Grey shuffled through the invitations he had received. To most he had not yet sent a response, loathe to spend time at balls and parties where mamas were constantly throwing their daughters at him. But he would have to disregard his personal dislike of such events for Annabella’s sake.
    Finding the invitation to Lord and Lady Evanthorne’s ball, he penned a note informing them he would be attending with his stepsister and her aunts. Lady Evanthorne was one of the biggest gossips in London. By evening, everyone would know Annabella was Grey’s guest and that she would be accompanying him to one of the Season’s most anticipated balls.
    As he was sealing the message, the door was pushed inward by one of the footmen, who held it open while Higgins glided in.
    “Lady Harmony, your grace.” The butler stepped aside.
    She towered over Higgins by almost a head, even when she curtsied. Her blue dress reminded him of the ones his grandmother had worn. High collar with frills around the neck, long sleeves with white lace trim. She carried herself in a regal manner rather like Grandmother’s also. Those steely eyes had softened a bit since she'd gutted him with them after the incident with the carriage.
    “Thank you, Higgins. Would you please have this delivered.” Grey held out the note. “Lady Harmony, please be seated.”
    Higgins retrieved the missive. “Will there be anything else, your grace?”
    “Not right now, thank you.”
    “Very well, your grace.” Higgins bowed and exited, and the footman followed, closing the door behind them.
    Grey sat back in his chair. “I thought it might be fitting to have a small dinner party to introduce Annabella to some of my closest acquaintances.” More specifically, so my good friend Lord Fenimore’s gossipy wife can go tell everyone about the delightful dinner party I threw for my beloved stepsister .
    Lady Harmony tapped her finger to her cheek. “Hmm… you know, I do believe Annabella’s birthday is in just a few days, on the ninth. What a grand gesture to have a party in honor of her birthday!” She clapped her hands together. “Splendid indeed!”
    Grey gave her a curt nod. “Very well. I will take care of the invitations, if you could make arrangements with Cook for the menu. And, er…” He paused, unsure how to bring up such a delicate matter as cleavage, but he couldn’t have the girl embarrassing herself — or him, by