A Most Unconventional Match by Julia Justiss Read Free Book Online Page B

his clever, amusing drawing-room conversation, not for sitting alone scribbling verse.
    She covered his silence by asking Holmes to pour wine before turning back to him, a smile fixed on her face.
    Apprehension immediately began churning in Hal’s gut. He knew that smile. Mama wanted something from him, and past experience warned it wouldn’t be anything he had the remotest desire to give.
    Hal waited grimly while the butler served them and then withdrew. As soon as they’d each had a sip, his mama put down her glass and smiled again. Hal braced himself.
    â€˜It’s been weeks since I’ve had you to escort me anywhere. All that travelling about in the north, inspecting some dreadful earthworks or other.’
    â€˜Canals, Mama.’
    His mother waved a dismissive hand. ‘It sounds distressingly common. Is it not enough that you must dirty your hands dealing with those Cits on the Exchange? A gentleman simply shouldn’t engage in anything that smacks of trade.’
    From the frown on her face, Hal surmised that another of society’s dragons must have been tweaking his mother—jokingly, of course—about her unfashionable son’s even more unfashionable activities. He thought again what a sore trial he must be to her…even though his ‘unfashionable’ activities maintained the fortune she so delighted in spending.
    He considered apologising, but, true to form, she continued on without pausing to let him reply. ‘Well, enough of that! I expect I shall soon be seeing much more of you, for I’ve recently met the most charming young lady. Such beauty! Such presence! I simply had to make her my newest companion. I’m positive that once you meet her, desire for her company will lure you away from your tedious pursuits back into the ton gatherings where you belong.’
    Gritting his teeth through that speech, Hal barely refrained from groaning aloud. Would Mama never give up? Unfortunately the Marriage Mart each year churned out a never-ending supply of new maidens on the hunt for a husband. Most of whom, he thought sardonically, seemed fully prepared to overlook his taciturn nature and unfashionable proclivities in order to get their lace-mittened hands on the Waterman wealth.
    â€˜It just so happens that my dear Tryphena is visiting this afternoon. I’ll have Holmes escort her in so you two can become acquainted at once!’
    Just wonderful, Hal thought glumly. He could try to tell his mother that he didn’t wish to meet her latest protégée, or that he needed to leave immediately on a matter of pressing business. But he knew he couldn’t utter enough words to argue with her, that she would easily overwhelm his limited powers of expression in a torrent of rebuttal and in the end, simply refuse to accept any answer but the agreement she wanted him to utter.
    After seven years at this game, he’d long since learned it wasn’t worth his breath to try to dissuade her.
    So he simply sat, sipping his wine and wondering how long he’d be condemned to remain before Mama would allow him to escape, while Mrs Waterman chattered on about the exquisite taste, superior accomplishments and well-connected family of Lady Tryphena Upcott.
    All too soon, Holmes announced the arrival of the young lady herself. With resignation Hal rose to greet her.
    The girl entering the room appeared a bit older than Hal had anticipated. Then the name clicked in his consciousness.
    Daughter of an earl, Lady Tryphena had been several Seasons on the town without becoming engaged. The gossip at Hal’s club said she was too high in the instep to accept a gentleman of less than the most exalted rank, from whom, apparently, no such offer had yet been forthcoming. Perhaps, Hal thought, after ending three Seasons unwed, she’d decided great wealth would be an acceptable substitute for elevated title.
    With her excellent family connections and exacting standards,