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

the room!”
    Megan laughed and parted from her brother on good terms. It was nearly two o’clock in the morning before the O’Connell’s grand ball ended. The houseguests staggered to their rooms, the neighbors departed, and Megan was at last free to seek her own bed.
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Chapter 5
    The next morning all transpired as planned and the travelers took to the road before luncheon. Captain O’Connell rode, firmly declining to share the carriage with the ladies and the maid.
    “I’ve no intention of riding bodkin between a stack of female baggage and a lachrymose maid,” he said forcibly.
    Megan really could not blame him. Her maid had been sniffling dolefully ever since she had learned that she was to leave Ireland. However, the woman had said that it was her duty to accompany her mistress to the ends of the earth, whether it be London or Russia. Megan almost regretted bringing the maid at all, for it was bothersome to be obliged to witness Betty’s discomposure. But she and Mrs. Tyler could scarcely be expected to do without a tiring-woman.
    Captain O’Connell’s decision did not weigh with Megan on another count, as well. Without her brother’s demanding presence, Megan could allow her thoughts to roam at will without being obligated to making conversation. She and Mrs. Tyler knew one another so well that there was no constraint between them even when not a word was spoken for several moments.
    Mrs. Tyler occupied herself with embroidery while Megan divided her attention between the book in her lap and the passing miles. The journey to London was made without incident, discounting the maid’s wretched bout of seasickness while crossing the Irish Sea, which made Captain O’Connell declare that he felt quite able to tumble the unhappy woman into the choppy waves.
    Soon enough Captain O’Connell left the trio at the town house in Albemarle Street, expressing his relief at being able to relinquish his responsibility for them into the capable hands of Lady O’Connell’s domestic staff.
    * * * *
    The next week was very busy. Megan and Mrs. Tyler made visits to several shops to acquire everything that occurred to them which might be useful in a cold, inhospitable climate. They also visited the expensive modiste, Madame Rochet, and ordered several ensembles. Allowing themselves to be guided by the astute modiste’s advice, they ended up commissioning an enormous number of gowns, day dresses, carriage dresses, pelisses, dominos, and other stylish garments. This, coupled with the purchase of bonnets, inexpressibles, innumerable pairs of gloves, hose, and other feminine fripperies, began to give Mrs. Tyler’s conscience a definite twinge.
    “My dear, does it not occur to you that we are taking advantage of Lady O’Connell’s directive?” she asked falteringly, having caught sight of the price of a very pretty fringed shawl that Megan was just then purchasing. She had unconsciously been keeping a rough total in her mind and it was beginning to concern her. Of course, there was no knowing what the modiste’s bills were, for those were to be directly forwarded to Lady O’Connell’s agent, Mr. Henry.
    “I have thought about it,” admitted Megan. She threw a glinting glance at her companion as a small smile touched her lips. “I have discounted it, though, Gwyneth. I am spending far less than what a Season would have cost my mother and I am being gotten out of the way, as well. So there cannot really be an objection, can there?”
    “Oh, my dear!” said Mrs. Tyler. She felt sorry for the younger woman. No matter how well Megan had disguised her feelings over the years, Mrs. Tyler was still aware that there was a well of hurt hidden inside the younger woman’s breast. As the youngest, and quite unexpected, child, Megan had been shunted aside again and again. She had rarely been the recipient of either consideration or approval. It went against all that was natural for the daughter of a rich, established family to