Kathryn Caskie by Rules of Engagement Read Free Book Online Page A

held great promise. Thanks to her “arrangement” with Lord Somerton, it was the first day of this absurd season that she would not have to worry about her aunts’ militaristic matchmaking ploys.
    Yes, after seeing an attentive Lord Somerton at her side last eve, her aunts would believe an offer from the earl forthcoming in due time. Why, she could even drop a few veiled hints of her own interest and bolster this belief.
    Eliza leaned back in her chair and smiled. No unwanted suitors. No strategies from that deplorable rule book. Why, her inheritance and ticket to Italy were as good as hers.
    Now her aunts could move on to finding a young man for her
dear
sister Grace. Eliza chuckled with wicked delight at the prospect.
    Mrs. Penny eased up behind Eliza and stood over her with teapot at the ready. “Drink that one down and I’ll pour you another. Your aunts told me to perk you up by whatever means necessary this morn.”
    Eliza raised a quizzical brow. “Perk me up? Whatever for? The rest of the house is still asleep.”
    “Not the ladies. They’ve been up for two hours or more,” Mrs. Penny said. “They’re working on a project in the library.”
    “Really?” Eliza had no doubt what that
project
might be. She was quite sure a certain red leather book was being studied in preparation for yet another clever maneuver.
    She should take care to hide that odious book from her aunts—and Grace. It would not do for her sister to learn the true purpose of the rule book and set her aunts’ mistaken strategies to rights.
    After finishing her cold meat and fruit, Eliza made her way to the library where she found her aunts Letitia and Viola. As she expected, they were bent over
Rules of Engagement,
lorgnettes in hand.
    “Good morning,” she said, smiling.
    “Eliza! I am glad you’ve finally risen,” Aunt Viola responded, looking up from the book. “Please sit down. We’ve not much time.”
    “Not much time?” Eliza asked, hesitantly lowering herself into a cushioned chair.
    “To discuss Rule Four, of course,” Aunt Letitia answered.
    Eliza dropped her chin to her chest and closed her eyes. “Rule Four?” she murmured.
    “Why, yes,” Aunt Letitia said. “Do not toy with us, Lizzy. We know you are already acquainted with Rule Four.”
    “Am I?” Eliza hadn’t the faintest idea what they were talking about.
    “You shifty tod,” Aunt Letitia said with a knowing grin on her lips. “You must have stolen a glance at the next chapter.”
    Eliza rose from her chair. “I am afraid I do not—”
    Raising her palm, Aunt Letitia silenced her. She held her lorgnette to her eyes and read the dark heading aloud.
“Rule Four. Employ diversion to distract opposing forces from the true objective.”
    “D-diversion?” Eliza sank nervously back into the chair.
    Aunt Viola shuffled over and placed her hand on Eliza’s shoulder. “Your offer last night to paint Lord Somerton’s portrait was simply inspired.”
    “What?” Eliza tried to leap up, but her aunt’s firm hand held her in place. “You know of m-my offer?”
    Aunt Letitia chuckled. “Why, you do not think Lord Somerton would call on you without seeking our permission, do you?”
    Eliza stared at Aunt Letitia. He’d
already
sought out permission? Why, they’d only struck their deal last night.
    “I must say, Eliza, how utterly brilliant of you to come up with such a plan,” Aunt Viola said, undisguised glee plain in her eyes.
    “Plan?” Eliza asked. Surely he would not have told them about their
arrangement.
    “Why, to paint his portrait of course.” Aunt Letitia lifted the strategy book and hugged it to her ample bosom. “You really are an innovative miss. Now Lord Somerton will
have
to call on you frequently—for his sittings.”
    With her bony finger, Aunt Viola poked each word into Eliza’s arm. “What better way to prevent his lordship from calling on other young ladies.”
    Eliza rubbed the throbbing divot in her arm, and stared up at