Hayley Ann Solomon by The Quizzing-Glass Bride Read Free Book Online

Did the kiss delight you?”
    “Yes, but I have no notion why, after his abominable behavior toward me!”
    “Well, he has been punished for it, as you say. Why don’t you just explain to him the matter of the spectacles?”
    “He would think I was having second thoughts.”
    “You are.”
    “I am not! I have always loved him! Well, for five years at any rate. Clandestine and odd, maybe, but real, nonetheless! I used to look for him at so many balls, but it was only once that he ever acknowledged me, and then in such a hideously toplofty manner I was crushed.”
    “So tell him. If he wants to wed you . . .”
    “That is the point! After last night, he would be a bedlamite if he did! I released him from any obligation, and if I go to him now, it will simply look as though I regret it.”
    “You do.” The logic was unarguable.
    Fern sighed. “Yes, but for the right reasons. He will suspect the wrong ones.”
    “That you are an unconscionable little fortune hunter with nothing but rank in your heart?”
    “You put it severely, but I must thank you. Yes, that is how he would see it. He would think I was merely regretting my fit of bad temper.”
    “You will not give him the benefit of deciding for himself?”
    “No, for I will be mortified either way. He does not love me, you see. He cannot, if he chooses to ignore me all these years, then haggle with Mr. Potters over bits of land!”
    Warwick, who knew perfectly well that he had not haggled, had not had the remotest interest, even, in settlements, bit his tongue. He could not defend himself for fear of giving away the game. And somehow, he did not feel that this particular game had played itself to its conclusion.
    “What shall you do, then? Closet yourself away with your potions?”
    “No, for Mama will wear me down to the bone. If I do not marry him, I shall never live down the disgrace.”
    “Then you should remove immediately to London! Have you no relatives?”
    “None at all. Or none who would bear the cost of an extra mouth to feed when I have been so undeserving! No, I shall have to do something more drastic, I fear. I shall disguise myself as a boy—for I am not so green as to think London a safe place for a lady on her own—and I shall seek work of some kind. Perhaps as a scrivener, for my handwriting is as neat as ninepence even if I say so myself.”
    “Your parents shall die of mortification!”
    “They might, but more likely they will wash their hands of me. It is better than spending the rest of my life in their black books, I think, being a pensioner in my own home.”
    Warwick thought not, but he did not wish to quibble at so interesting a point. So he asked the obvious. “Why not just simply a marchioness?”
    Fern looked up sharply. “So! You guessed the identity of my suitor?”
    “But naturally. It is the talk of the neighborhood and I am judged, in some circles, to be quite astute, Miss Reynolds.”
    “Well, you are. No, I can’t be a marchioness. The poor man is probably thanking his lucky stars for his narrow escape. You have not heard the worst.”
    “Good Lord, there is more?”
    “Indeed. I attempted Bach’s air on G. A trifling little piece, I assure you, though pleasant—Bach is always pleasant.”
    “How unexceptional. I fail to perceive the problem!”
    “The problem is that I was seated farther from the harp than I thought, so started on the incorrect note! I tried frantically to make the correction, but succeeded only in a series of excruciating twangs that must have sent his lordship into whoops! Or spasms of despair, since he was honor bound to marry me!”
    “So you cried off?”
    “Of course! There was no other option!”
    “You could have explained—”
    “And sounded like a whining little ninnyhammer? I think not. No, I shall leave on the next chaise for London. If I simply disappear, he need feel no qualms about terminating the arrangement. If I stay, Papa will doubtless threaten to sue for breach. I