A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde Read Free Book Online

know Honoria will be delighted to see you.” Lady Edmund reached for the bell to summon the parlor maid. “Please tell Miss Aimesworth that Lord Casselmain is here.”
    Lord Casselmain turned toward Rosalind. Naturally. It was the time to make polite conversation. “Have you plans for the season, Miss Thorne?”
    â€œThey are not yet fixed.” Rosalind kept her gaze on the tea table. If she looked up, she might yet see pity in Devon’s eyes.
    â€œI have been attempting to persuade Miss Thorne that she should come stay with us for a short time, Lord Casselmain,” Lady Edmund said as she passed him a cup of tea. “As you two are old acquaintances, perhaps you could help me.”
    The words jolted Rosalind’s gaze away from the safe contemplation of the china. That was no accident. Lady Edmund must have heard whispers of their old attachment. Now she was testing them.
    If Devon realized as much, he didn’t even blink. “Lady Edmund, I have never observed that you require any assistance to achieve your ends. I am quite sure Miss Thorne will be brought ’round to your way of thinking without my intervention.”
    â€œYou make me sound like a managing woman.”
    â€œThen I must apologize, for that was not my intention. I only meant that you are sensible, resolute, and determined.”
    Rosalind felt a twinge inside her. This polite banter was exactly right for the moment, but it was entirely wrong for Devon. Devon was always a little awkward and searching for his balance. Devon was sincere, and he was kind. He wasn’t polished. He wasn’t graceful in company. He laughed. He teased. He returned small, lost things to their proper owners.
    Only this wasn’t Devon in front of her, of course. This was Lord Casselmain.
    Lady Edmund laughed. “As flattery, sir, that has the virtue of being original. What is your opinion, Miss Thorne? Shall I accept his apology?”
    â€œAs it is sincerely offered, Lady Edmund, I think you should.”As Rosalind spoke, the doors opened to show Honoria Aimesworth poised on the threshold.
    â€œOh, Lord Casselmain is never less than sincere,” Honoria declared. “It is one of his great virtues.”
    Honoria entered the room with a stride closer to a soldier’s march than a lady’s delicate glide. Rosalind glanced at Lady Edmund in time to see how quickly she smoothed out her frown of disapproval. As for Devon, he watched the approach of the girl he was supposed to marry with indifference, and perhaps a little amusement. Not that Honoria’s face exactly lit up with joy at the sight of her future bridegroom. Perhaps it might have, if she had not been so busy scowling at Rosalind.
    â€œLord Casselmain was calling on Jasper,” said Lady Edmund. “Do you know where he’s gone, Honoria?”
    The question turned Honoria’s attention back to her mother.
    â€œI didn’t know he had. He said nothing at breakfast about going anywhere.”
    â€œWell, you and I must entertain his lordship until your brother returns.”
    As a hint, it was hardly subtle, and Rosalind at once got to her feet. “I’m afraid I must be on my way. Thank you for the tea, Lady Edmund.”
    Devon—Lord Casselmain—rose as well.
    â€œOh, must you go, Rosalind?” said Honoria brightly. “I was so hoping we might have a chance to chat.”
    The small, false politeness of social conversation had never been Honoria’s forte. If the truth were to be known, it was something Rosalind actually liked about her. Honoria might be sharp as a knife, but she was also entirely straightforward.
    Lady Edmund wasn’t frowning, but maintaining her placid demeanor was obviously costing her. Rosalind felt curiosity prick. Honoria was giving her an acceptable excuse to stay, butthat would mean angering Lady Edmund. She might not have any intention of accepting her outrageous proposal, but Lady