Magical Weddings by Leigh Michaels, Aileen Harkwood, Eve Devon, Raine English, Tamara Ferguson, Lynda Haviland, Jody A. Kessler, Jane Lark, Bess McBride, L. L. Muir, Jennifer Gilby Roberts, Jan Romes, Heather Thurmeier, Elsa Winckler, Sarah Wynde Read Free Book Online Page B

shall bear that in mind.”
    Celia smiled suddenly, a naughty elfin grin that lit up her eyes and made her face glow. “There’s no reason you can’t do it, Simon. You can be charming–when you try.”
    No wonder the baron was intrigued. When she smiled like that, every man in the vicinity must feel heat sparkling across his skin.
    “A compliment from my cousin,” he said wryly. “I shall mark this day down as notable.”
    Celia sat up straight, tilting her head with an ear toward the door. “I think… yes, I am persuaded I hear Baron Draycott in the entrance hall. You will excuse me, Simon?”
    Without waiting for him to answer, much less rise respectfully from his chair, she was gone.
    Simon shook his head and decided to have another cup of coffee rather than wander out into the hall to watch Celia make a fool of herself. He had done all he could; she had been warned.
    It wouldn’t be his fault if she took the caution as a challenge instead.
     
    ****
     
    Celia had been right that she’d heard Baron Draycott’s drawl, but she didn’t realize until she was almost at the foot of the grand staircase that he was descending with a Carew sister on each arm. She glanced over her shoulder, thankful to see that Simon hadn’t followed her. Amusing as the situation would no doubt have been for him, Celia wasn’t certain she could restrain herself from giving him a swift kick in the shins if he dared to laugh at her.
    The baron and his two damsels reached the main floor and he bowed elegantly to each of the sisters as he excused himself. “Though of course I am loathe to leave you, Lord Stone wants to get an early start in order to bag enough birds for a feast tonight in the bride’s honor.”
    Dimity pouted prettily–at least the young woman must have thought her pout made her look charming, or she wouldn’t have let her mouth twist like that. Prudence sighed as the baron went off toward the back of the house where the gun room must be located.
    “I do think the baron is quite the best-looking man here,” Dimity said.
    “At least, the best-looking
eligible
man,” Prudence added.
    Celia rolled her eyes. The baron wasn’t unpleasant in looks, though he’d be greatly improved if he allowed his valet to tame the too-long, too-curly hair that made him look like he was wearing a small yellow lamb on his head. She wouldn’t be at all surprised if he ended up tangled in a thicket while seeking pheasants or quail.
    But of course hair–unlike so many other qualities a gentleman might possess–would be an easy thing to fix; all a wife would need to do was gently suggest the change.
    As for the rest–Draycott was tall enough to be impressive, only a couple of inches shorter than Simon. His shoulders were wide, though she wondered if his tailor had to add padding; there had been a suspicious softness about his pale blue coat last night.
    “Miss Overton,” Dimity said. “I didn’t see you there in the shadows. What a surprise that you’re down already. I thought perhaps you would enjoy the rare opportunity to lie abed.”
    “I enjoy rising early, especially when I can ride.”
    “Really?” Prudence said. “We must make certain you have the opportunity to do so, then.”
    Doubt dripped from her voice and burned Celia’s skin as if it had been acid.
She sounds as if she expects me to fall off my horse.
    “Not this morning, however,” Dimity put in hastily. “There’s little point in riding if the gentlemen don’t come along. Lady Stone suggested that since the hunters will be gone much of the day, we might entertain ourselves with a walk to the village.”
    A walk, no matter the destination, was preferable to being shut up inside all day with the Misses Carew. Celia scolded herself for allowing the rude thought to cross her mind.
    Just as Celia opened her mouth to agree, Prudence added, “You’ll come, of course? I’m sure you can give us advice about any bargains to be found in the village shops. Cloth