In Praise of Younger Men by Jaclyn Reding Read Free Book Online

new opportunities to employ her matchmaking expertise.
    “So, my dear, I saw you arriving with a handsome young man this morning.”
    Harriet poured them each a fresh cup of hyson. Her only experience in female
socializing had been with Devorgilla or the occasional call to the vicar’s wife, so she fell into conversation with the fascinating viscountess quite easily. “Yes, we are very excited because my brother, Geoffrey, has just returned from the Peninsula.”
    “The Peninsula! I declare, how exciting!” The viscountess chuckled to herself. “For a moment, when I first saw him, I thought he might be your husband.”
    Harriet handed Lady Harrington her tea. “Oh, no, my lady. I am not married.”
    “Betrothed, then?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    “Significantly attached?”
    Harriet simply shook her head.
    The viscountess’s eyes lit up like a bonfire. “My heavens! How can it be that such a lovely girl hasn’t yet found her way to the altar?” She answered before Harriet ever could. “But, of course, that must be the reason for your visit to the city, isn’t it? To find yourself a husband?”
    Harriet chewed her lip. Was her desperation so obvious? She looked at Lady Harrington. She’d only just met the woman but something about her told Harriet she could confide in her. “I’ll admit I had rather hoped to meet some eligible gentlemen ...”
    “I knew it!” The viscountess clapped her hands with delight.
    “But I’ve a slight problem,” Harriet confessed.
    “What, dear? No dowry?”
    “No, I am well dowered.”
    “A scandal from your past then?”
    “Indeed no. It is just that . . . for reasons I cannot go into now ... I have less than a fortnight in which to find myself a husband.”
    For anyone else, this might have been a deterrent. But for Lucinda, Lady Harrington, Matchmaker Extraordinaire, it was little more than a challenge—a challenge she was all too eager to accept.
    “Well, then, we’ll have to act quickly. And I know just the person to help you.”
    “You do? Who?”
    “
Me
! I am acquainted with every family of good breeding in town, and even some of not-so-good breeding, if you know what I mean.” She fished inside her beaded reticule, taking out an ivory-covered tablet and pencil. “I shall make a few notations . . . tell me, dear, do you prefer light, or dark?”
    Harriet was lost. “Tea?”
    “No, dear, suitors! Do you prefer your gentlemen blond-or dark headed?”
    “Oh, well, dark, I suppose . . . but not too dark. Sort of an ash brown.”
    The viscountess nodded, scribbling. “Tall, or closer to your own height?”
    “Tall.”
    “Of a good build?”
    “Yes.”
    “A well-established man who has his own fortune . . . preferably titled ...”
    “. . . and with eyes the color of the bluest sky.”
    At the viscountess’s curious stare, Harriet realized she’d just described Tristan. “Truly, my lady, I don’t think I would know until I saw the man for myself.”
    “Indeed. And I know just the place to do it.”
    Harriet looked at her, waiting.
    “The Annual Assembly. It is hosted by the Society of Edinburgh Ladies, of which I am a founding member. ‘Tis this coming Friday at the Assembly Rooms on George Street, just down the street from here. Invitations went out weeks ago, but I will make certain you receive one this very afternoon.”
    Harriet brightened. “Oh, Lady Harrington, could you? That would be wonderful! I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do. I’m afraid I haven’t much experience with this sort of thing.”
    The viscountess smiled. “Tut, tut, dear. Just leave that to me. By week’s end, you’ll have more acquaintanceship than you ever dreamed possible.”
    She stood then, taking up her cat muff from where it lay snoozing on the settee. “I’m off now. Other calls to make, you know. The days just don’t have enough hours in them.” She started for the door to leave. “Now, if you are in need of a gown for the assembly, you must go