An Imperfect Proposal by Hayley Ann Solomon Read Free Book Online Page A

danced attendance on her, or when he gazed deeply into her eyes at the exact moment that Martha Caddington’s sour gaze alighted upon them.
    Indeed, he went out of his way to ensure that she was seated beside him at dinner, that her glass was never empty, that their hands touched for a flicker of an instant (but long enough for certain debutantes to notice), and that he commented, in general terms, about his great good fortune in securing such a beautiful and noble bride.
    Unfortunately, this kindness was too much for Amaryllis, who felt certain he was only being compassionate. She realized he was wreaking his revenge on the Martha Caddingtons of the world, but it was not exacted without expense.

Chapter Six
    Each time he smiled at her, each time he complimented her, touched her, and hovered over her made her feel more beautiful or breathless than she had ever felt before, she had to remind herself that it was all a sham, that Lord Redding was rescuing her from spinsterhood, that he was simply teaching uncivil debutantes a rather pointed lesson. He was being kind to a wallflower. She must remember that, and learn to live with it.
    His lordship, on the other hand, was rather amusing himself. The gossip columns had run a funny cartoon which figured a certain Miss M.C. colored all over in green, for envy. She was curtsying to a certain Miss A.H. and swallowing a drink labeled “gall.” He told himself it was this revenge that was causing him to hover at Amaryllis’s side.
    In truth, it was more than that. He had not known, before they were thrown continually in each other’s company, that she was bright, intelligent, and showed flashes of the ironic humor that very nearly matched his own. He had known she was kind, but not that she was inventive, conversant in the classics and interested in horse breeding. Not a fit conversation for a lady, perhaps, but Miss Hastings became animated when she spoke of it, which led Stephen to speak about his stables, which in turn caused her to forget her shyness. When Amaryllis forgot to be shy, her eyes—her finest feature—lit up with animation and her cheeks glowed with vitality.
    He found himself wondering why he had always thought her so insipid, then reasoned it must have been her gowns. They were always of a pale shade (untrue, for the one she had worn for Lady Charlotte’s ball had glittered becomingly), but Stephen, at a loss for any other explanation, was convinced. Also, she had now been coaxed to loosen her braids and wear her fair hair loose, a very advantageous move, for though his lordship admired brunettes, the softness of Amaryllis’s locks, and the paleness of her skin against the honey gold was alluring.
    Stephen decided she needed a set of diamond pins to scatter about her. When he had bought her these, and enjoyed her exclamations of soft delight, he could not seem to help himself. He found himself spending his days dreaming up little objects that might delight her, or little treats like a visit to Hamilton Palace, where the duke’s interest in horse breeding was matched only by his interest in art, both of which were favorites with Amaryllis.
    During this time, however, he had to catch himself up short, for the stupid penchant he seemed to have developed kept making him want to do something he might later regret. Almost, almost he kissed her at Asham, where the grounds were so sweet and the waterfall nearby trickled appealingly.
    Miss Hastings’s maid was safely stowed in the chaise and the moment had seemed ripe, oh, far too ripe . . . then at Vauxhall, where the displays of fireworks could hardly have been brighter than the sparks he felt between them, he had taken her in his arms and succumbed to the moment.
    Miss Hastings’s mouth was sweeter than he had dreamed of, and softer. He could have drowned in that moment, only her arms crept about him timidly, and he cursed himself for a damn, idiotic, foolish fool. He must not