Lord Devere's Ward by Sue Swift Read Free Book Online Page B

was not so long ago that I prepared for my debut. ’Tis a monstrous exciting time for the girls.”
    “And how does my ward go on?”
    “Very well. She is a most pleasant girl. She is quite the favorite with everyone, especially the boys.
    She can run and climb with the best of them, but she knows her way around society. You need have no fears on her behalf. She and Louisa will have their pick of suitors, I think.”
    “Hmph.” He did not know quite how he felt about the prospect of Kate having suitors for her hand in marriage.
    “Once we have Louisa launched, we’ll introduce Kay. Mind you, she has the occasional nightmare, but I believe there is no lasting damage because of her experiences.”
    “Nightmares?”
    “The first week, Louisa told me she heard her cry out in the night.”
    “Damn and blast!”
    “There’s nothing we can do, Quinn. For all her cheerful smiles, she is a very private child. She denies any sorrows and, I must say, her demeanor has improved as time has gone by. What of her other problems?”
    “As well in hand as can be,” he said. “The Lords are a most ponderous crew, I fear. They are at present involved with questions concerning the prospective Queen. We may have to file in Chancery.” She winced. “We could wait until the twelfth of never for a decision from Chancery. Any word of Badham?”
    “He’s not in London yet, but he will be, I am sure.” He flicked lint from his lapel. “We should keep Kate quiet until the Lords have acted.”
    “That should not be difficult. Pauline will be coming to town also, and the two of them can amuse themselves at the theatre and Vauxhall while I escort Louisa.”
    “Mind, there should be a chaperone with her at all times. If need be, send ’round a message and I’ll watch her, er, them.”
    Anna looked at him at bit strangely, he thought, before she smiled and rose, saying, “I’ll see you out.
    You’re determined to leave so soon? We had hoped to keep you here longer, Quinn.”
    He shrugged, affecting a careless mien. “I’m for Surrey, and then back to London. Don’t worry about the house. Harper will make sure everything is right and tight for you.”

Chapter Four
    Quinn rested that night in his Surrey estate, and attended races at Ascot the next day. Stalking through the peers’ enclosure toward the track, he was intent upon observing the progress of his well-bred nags.
    Based on the attention he received, he gathered others had different goals.
    A flock of females, dressed in their fashionable best, surrounded the lords like so many fluttering butterflies. The mating season had begun.
    “Lord Devere, allow me to present my daughter, The Honorable Gillian Calmont-Trent,” twittered one matron. Quinn raised his lorgnon, casting the older lady a sweeping glance meant to depress pretension.
    The tiny child hidden by her skirts merited no attention whatsoever; Quinn especially disliked the custom in some families, widespread in the prior century, to dump fourteen-year-olds into Polite Society. This chit, cheeks still rounded by baby-fat, belonged in the schoolroom, not in the ton.
    Nevertheless, he’d do his duty. ’Twouldn’t be fair to cut the girl. He stretched his mouth into a smile.
    “Miss, er, Calmont-Trent.” He made a courteous bow before he was diverted by yet another eager Mamma. This large lady, dressed in unflattering puce, sought to bring her little chick to his notice.
    Fortunately, one of his friends grabbed his arm to haul him over to a group of owners before Quinn became mired in the swamp of fortune-hunting females.
    Quinn turned his regard to his companions and their horses.
    “I say, Devere, you’re devilishly cool with the ladies today,” said the man who grasped his arm.
    Quinn recognized Viscount Byland from
    Northumbria.
    “I tire of the dance.”
    “‘Tis your fate. Wealth and title engender feminine attention.”
    “Is it so foolish to want to be desired for oneself, rather than the contents