Amanda Scott - [Dangerous 03] by Dangerous Illusions Read Free Book Online Page B

look, he had all he could do to conceal his relief when St. Merryn snapped, “Didn’t I just say so, Ophelia? Knew the instant I clapped eyes on that red hair of his. Damned if I don’t think you’re growing deaf in your old age. That… that female is my wife’s aunt, Lady Ophelia Balterley,” he added for Gideon’s benefit.
    “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady,” Gideon said politely before turning to the lady who had declared him a true English hero, “and yours, ma’am, as well.”
    For the first time since his arrival he saw Daintry smile at him. Though it was only a little smile, he thought it worth waiting for. She said, “That is Cousin Ethelinda, sir … Miss Ethelinda Davies, that is, who is Mama’s most devoted companion and quite the kindest person in our household. But I thought you had gone upstairs with the children, Cousin.”
    Blushing deeply, Miss Davies murmured something about having set them to writing letters and then having just popped back downstairs to make certain of dearest Letty’s comfort; whereupon, Gideon, recognizing his cue, made her a profound leg. When he straightened, he saw to his deep satisfaction that Daintry was regarding him with near approval.
    Grinning, he held her gaze, and was rewarded with another hesitant smile in return. Then, visibly gathering herself, she indicated the fourth lady and said, “And that is my sister, sir, Lady Susan Seacourt.”
    Recalling in dismay that Penthorpe had described Lady Susan, Gideon saw an apparent abyss about to open before him. Having counted heavily on the viscount’s assurance that no one in the household knew him, he recollected now that Penthorpe had agreed to his odd betrothal only because he had admired Lady Susan enough to consent to marry her sister, but Lady Susan’s polite look encouraged him. She clearly did not think him an impostor.
    “I believe I was at school with your husband, Lady Susan,” he said calmly. “He was years ahead of me, however, and probably remembers me only as a repulsive scrub.” He nearly added that Sir Geoffrey had been much better acquainted with his brother but remembered in the nick of time that Penthorpe had no brother.
    Susan said quietly, “He will be sorry to have missed meeting you, sir. He and my brother are presently in Brighton—along with everyone else of any importance,” she added with a smile.
    “So the beau monde still flocks to the seaside from Prinny’s birthday onward,” Gideon said, returning her smile.
    St. Merryn grunted. “You make it sound as if you’ve been away for a decade, lad, but Ollie wrote you’d sold out before Boney got loose and went back just to help hunt the rascal down.”
    Gideon said smoothly, “Perfectly true, sir, but though he abdicated in April, I did not get back to England till September, and went straight to Tattersall Greens. I didn’t go to Brighton at all, and since Bonaparte escaped the first of March, before I had got round to stirring a foot from home, I was in London only long enough to sign on to return to the Continent.”
    “Ah, well, that’s all behind you now,” St. Merryn said comfortably. “It is all very well for a young man to serve when his country has need of him, but when it don’t, he’s better off putting his house in order and setting up his nursery. I daresay my Charles would have liked nothing better than to purchase a pair of colors and follow the Duke, but what with his being my only son, and heir to the earldom, it wasn’t to be thought of.”
    Without thinking, Gideon said, “Lucky for us, Lord Uxbridge didn’t let that stop him, sir. Even after he inherited the earldom three years ago, he remained in the thick of things, and if it hadn’t been for losing his leg at Waterloo, I daresay he’d be in service yet. To be sure, he was not the only son, but both of his brothers also serve in the Army.”
    “A gallant hero, Uxbridge,” St. Merryn said, taking no umbrage, “though we