Gayle Buck by Hearts Betrayed Read Free Book Online Page A

the 33rd, I believe you said? I knew a chap by name of Weatherford whose brother was in the same company. Perhaps you knew of him?”
    “Aye, a capital fellow,” Captain Hughes said. He began to share a reminiscence with Lord Randol, and his lordship maneuvered himself out of Lady Basinberry’s immediate sphere.
    Lady Basinberry purpled with affront. Michele and Lydia, who, though they listened to the gentlemen, were not actually included in the conversation, heard their aunt’s muttered exclamation. “Well! I have rarely been more ill-used in my life. But we shall see who snubs whom.” Lady Basinberry raised her voice. “I think the gentlemen have bored one another long enough. Lydia, present your military suitor to me in proper form,’’ she said, irritation snapping in her eyes.
    Lydia flushed. “Aunt Beatrice! I have never said—”
    “But your father has, and therefore I wish to grill the good captain on his expectations.” Lady Basinberry inexorably carried Lydia away and a moment later had quite adroitly cut Lord Randol from the conversation.
    Lord Randol found himself standing beside Mademoiselle du Bois once more. He did not seem to be affected by her lovely face, or by the fact that the soft green day dress she wore showed to advantage her curvaceous figure. Instead he regarded her with a chilling gaze. “It occurs to me that your presence here puts me in an awkward position,” he said.
    “Indeed, my lord? I cannot imagine why. However, I must be candid and say that your own appearance has dealt me a grave shock,” Michele said quietly. She did not understand the palpable hostility that radiated from him. However, that in itself was far less important than the puzzle of why he had never attempted to get word to her. Surely he had known that she would have welcomed the news that he lived.
    “That fact alone must give me cause for satisfaction. The question remains, however: what should I do next?” he said.
    “I do not understand.”
    His eyes glistened. “I have requested permission to address Miss Davenport, as you have undoubtedly been informed. However, her antecedents are not as spotless as I had assumed, since I discover that she is related to one whom I hold in acute antipathy. I must consider the wisdom of continuing my suit for her hand.”
    Michele gasped, reeling anew at his heavy insult. Before she could gather her wits, his lordship bowed and walked away, ostensibly to take his leave of Lady Basinberry.
    Lydia, freed at last of her aunt’s firm grip, seized the chance to speak to Michele. She had never before seen her cousin livid with anger, but Michele’s high color and the flash in the depths of her eyes impressed her. “Michele! Whatever did he say?”
    Michele turned her angry eyes on her cousin. “Nothing of importance, ma petite. I shall say one thing only, and that is that his lordship is hard and arrogant and despicable. I do not know in the least what I found to like in him!”
     

Chapter Five
     
    Lydia’s mouth fell open. She recovered quickly, all the more determined to discover the history that obviously lay between her cousin and the obnoxious Lord Randol. But before she could further tax Michele about it, Lady Basin-berry claimed her attention.
    “Lydia, here is Captain Hughes preparing to wish us good day. Michele, I know that you will want to say good-bye as well, since you found so much in common with the gentleman,” Lady Basinberry said.
    “Quite,” said Michele, pinning a smile to her lips and giving her hand to Captain Hughes. “It was enjoyable to talk of old friends, Captain. I hope that we shall soon meet again.’’
    He bowed, expressing himself honored by her regard. He took a more lingering leave of Lydia, and though nothing but polite pleasantries were exchanged, their gazes communicated much more to one another.
    The gentlemen had not actually tarried long, but Lady Basinberry said that she hoped there would not be another caller that day.