Annabelle's Courtship by Lucy Monroe Read Free Book Online Page B

Ceddy’s words forced her to focus on him and she agreed.
    “Oh yes, I think they are just wonderful. Lady Markham never stints on her entertainment.”
    “That is true. Her midnight suppers are legendary,” Ceddy said, exposing his favorite part of the evening.
    Annabelle laughed. “Ceddy, you should look like a roly poly baker, liking food as much as you do.”
    “I take after my grandfather. He was a true food connoisseur.” Annabelle agreed as the pattern of the dance separated them. She found herself facing Ian, who looked daggers at her.
    “Have you a fondness for Finchley, then, Lady Annabelle?” Annabelle was so startled by his accusation that she laughed out loud. “You’re far off the mark. He is my dear friend, just as he is your boon companion.” His glare lessened infinitesimally. “Aye, friendship is a good and sometimes rare thing.”
    Annabelle nodded. “Yes, friends are a blessing, especially in the life of the ton where appearance is so important and often deceiving.” Would Ian ever understand how deceived he was about her? He insisted on seeing her as the rest of the ton did, an aged spinster desperate to marry. She turned again to face Ceddy.
    “MacKay looks like thunder. Is all as it should be?”
    “Yes, but, Ceddy, he thought I had a tendre for you and that would have disarranged his well-laid plans of being married to a paragon of plainness within the month.”
    “Don’t say such things. You have much to recommend you, Annabelle.” A trill of laughter from the other couple in their set caused Annabelle’s head to turn.
    “Lord Graenfrae may say he has no use for beautiful women, but it would seem that he and Miss Caruthers are getting along splendidly.”
    “I’m sure that if MacKay said beauty doesn’t interest him, then it doesn’t, eh what?”
    Annabelle admired Ceddy’s loyalty and did not wish to test it any further. She knew that in times past, the dandy had similarly held up her cause. When the dance ended, Ian approached Annabelle to claim her for a turn around the room. She knew if she didn’t break away now, she might not have the chance later. Faking a tear to her hem, she pretended to make her way to the ladies’ retiring room.
    William’s temper was beginning to fray when he saw Lady Annabelle leave the annoying Scotsman’s side. He could tell even from a distance that she was telling the big brute that she had a tear in her hem. William would follow her to the ladies’ retiring room and wait for her outside, where he would bump into her and start up a conversation. No doubt, after an evening spent predominantly in the barbarian’s company, she would welcome the opportunity to converse with an English peer of the realm.
    As soon as she made it to the other floor, Annabelle scooted down a dimly lit hall. A hand reached out from the shadows.
    Annabelle stifled a gasp. “There you are. I wasn’t sure I would get away to meet you.”
    Vivian Graves nodded. “I wasn’t sure either. George didn’t make for the card room immediately like usual and I lived in fear that he would never go.” Annabelle understood her friend’s concern. George Graves, Vivian’s brother, had a tendency to play too deeply on occasion and then swear off cards for weeks at a time.
    This of course seriously hindered Vivian’s freedom in working for their common cause, women’s rights. “Did you speak to our new recruit?” Vivian shook her head. “She was surrounded by admirers like usual. I’m not certain that she’s a good prospect, no matter what others may say.” Remembering the scene in the ballroom, Annabelle concurred. “You may be right.
    Do you have the pamphlets for me?”
    The other woman nodded. Pulling Annabelle by the sleeve, she slipped into a nearby room. Light filtered in through the partially cracked door and Annabelle could make out the shadowy shapes of a four-poster and wardrobe. Vivian bent and removed a thin stack of pamphlets from a pocket sewn into