A Magnificent Match by Gayle Buck Read Free Book Online Page A

hope that such a story, true or otherwise, did not come to Lord O’Connell’s ears.
    His lordship might view his children with indifference, but he demanded a high standard of propriety. Lord O’Connell’s harsh reaction to his eldest daughter’s elopement had resulted in a painful and lengthy separation for Megan from her sister. Megan did not desire a similar estrangement with her brother.
    When Megan separated at last from Lady Mansfield, she started to seek out her brother and ask him about the story. Before she reached him, however, Megan had thought better of it. Colin would not thank her for prying into what was essentially his private life, and he would no doubt greet her question with a chilly reserve. There was an unspoken rule in the O’Connell household. One did not involve oneself too closely into the affairs of others.
    Lady O’Connell shortly announced dinner and paired up the guests. Megan smiled and graciously accepted the escort of Sir Bartram’s son. She quickly discovered that he was a rather insipid young man without a single original thought in his head. He did not open his mouth except to parrot his domineering father’s opinions.
    Megan was excruciatingly bored, but she dutifully held up her part of the conversation as well as she was able. She was never more glad than when Lady O’Connell rose from the table, signaling the end of dinner and the departure of the ladies from the dining room so that the gentlemen could enjoy their after-dinner port in privacy.
    Lady O’Connell took the opportunity afforded in a lull of conversation to murmur to her daughter, “That is not the same gown that you wore last year, surely?”
    “No, ma’am, it is not. My own gown had become quite indecent and so I had to make shift at the last minute with this one,” said Megan quietly. “I have already received several compliments this evening. Even my father offered a kind word for my appearance.”
    Lady O’Connell looked as though she wanted to inquire more closely into the gown’s origins, but her attention was claimed by a guest. Megan was glad of it. She had little taste for a public discussion about the inadequacies of her wardrobe. Least of all did she want to air the fact that she was wearing a cast-down gown from her mother’s dresser’s wardrobe. She was thankful to be spared that embarrassment.
    The gentlemen shortly joined the ladies. The orchestra was given the signal to begin and the entire company drifted into the ballroom. The night was danced away.
    During the course of the evening, Megan told Captain O’Connell that, if it was convenient to him, she wanted to leave for London on the morrow as soon as she had seen their father.
    “Called on the carpet, are you?” asked Captain O’Connell, smothering a yawn. “I wondered how long it would be before Lionel would get his own back. Shall I go with you and tell Father that I was as much to blame since I did not try to stop you from jumping the gelding?”
    “I have already been scolded. This is a different matter altogether. And no, I do not think you should accompany me. Father has made it quite plain that he is not best pleased that your leave has not been extended this time,” said Megan. “If he were to see you, he would likely say something that will set up your back. And I am of no mind to travel with you after you have been thrown into the sulks, Colin.”
    “Spoken like a true O’Connell,” said Captain O’Connell, flashing a grin. He was not at all insulted. “Very well, then. I’ll let you go into the ogre’s den on your own. I made the offer with a notable lack of enthusiasm, in any event.”
    “As I noticed,” retorted Megan. “Mrs. Tyler and I will be packed and ready to depart at any time after I have seen Father.”
    “That will suit me admirably,” said Captain O’Connell. “I have it in mind to go up in the morning to say good-bye to Celeste and then we can be off. I only hope she is not ill while I am in