In Good Company by Jen Turano Read Free Book Online

the market for a husband.”
    “Every unattached lady, whether they admit it or not, is in the market for a husband, my dear. However . . .” Abigail turned to Lucetta. “I actually believe you’d be a more appropriate match for my grandson, who goes by the very charming name of . . . Bram.”
    Lucetta’s mouth gaped open, much like Millie’s had done only seconds before. “I am definitely not in the market for a husband, especially a recluse. Why, that particular word immediatelybrings to mind an image of a curmudgeon, one sporting some type of horrible disfigurement, that disfigurement the reasoning behind the whole reclusive business.”
    “Bram isn’t disfigured,” Abigail argued. “In fact, he’s quite a dish, from what young ladies have told me.”
    Lucetta lifted her chin. “Dish or not, you will leave me out of your matchmaking plans.”
    “And I second what Lucetta just said, although I’m curious now as to what curmudgeon means. Because I’m in my bath, though—something both of you seem to have forgotten—I don’t have a dictionary handy.”
    “ Curmudgeon means grouchy, but you’re exactly right, Millie.” Lucetta rose to her feet. “We’ve been very rude, keeping you from enjoying your bath, so Abigail and I will repair to the library and leave you in peace.”
    “But we haven’t yet settled on a plan as to what to do with Millie.” Abigail rose from her chair, although she looked extremely disappointed to do so.
    “I’ve already spoken with Mrs. Patterson,” Millie began. “And, while she voiced doubts about finding another family willing to take me on, I’m sure she’ll be successful in the end, especially if I continue to show up at the agency every other day, begging for a position.”
    Abigail, to Millie’s concern, plopped back down on the chair. “I do hope Mrs. Patterson wasn’t too unpleasant with you, dear. She should know by now that you can’t actually help the mischief you and your charges always seem to find yourselves in.”
    “Mrs. Patterson wasn’t the reason behind the unpleasantness I experienced tonight. Mr. Everett Mulberry was.”
    Lucetta abruptly retook her seat as well. “You never mentioned a single thing about running into Everett.”
    “Because you just got home, and again, I’m trying to take abath, and just so everyone knows, the water is turning a little chilly.” She sent what she hoped was a pointed look toward the door, but her message was ignored.
    “Chilly water is incredibly beneficial for a lady’s skin, but back to Everett.” Lucetta scooted her chair forward. “Did his wards run off another nanny, and did he ask you to accept a position with him, and . . . did you feel compelled to turn down his offer because of that pesky attraction you feel for the man?”
    “I’m not attracted to Mr. Mulberry,” was the only protest she could think to respond.
    “How could you not be attracted to the gentleman?” Abigail countered. “A person would have to be blind not to notice that he’s incredibly handsome. Add in the fact he’s now responsible for three children, and well that must make him downright scrumptious to a lady who has a soft spot for little ones.”
    “I do not find Mr. Mulberry scrumptious,” Millie argued, wincing when Abigail sent her an incredulous look. “Oh, very well, I might have, when I first laid eyes on the man, thought he was a little handsome—although not scrumptious, mind you. But after he refused to consider me as a nanny for his wards, his handsomeness faded in a flash. Furthermore—”
    A knock on the door interrupted her speech.
    “Mrs. Hart? Are you in there?” Mr. Kenton, Abigail’s butler, called through the door.
    Abigail rose to her feet and moved across the room. “I am, Mr. Kenton, but Miss Longfellow is in the middle of her bath, so in order to preserve her modesty, I suggest you don’t open this door.”
    “Very good, ma’am, but I’m here to tell you that Miss