Miss Lacey's Last Fling (A Regency Romance) by Candice Hern Read Free Book Online Page B

as any marriage-minded mama trotting out her chick, shamelessly angling for compliments. It must be this horrid place. The deuced lemonade has gone to your head."
    "I shall feel obliged to slap you, Max, if you persist in comparing me to those ravenous matrons. I am no more pleased to be in this odious place than you are, but she would insist I merely wondered how you thought she looked."
    "She looks lovely."
    "She does, doesn't she? It is remarkable considering... Well, you saw her when she arrived."
    "You've done a marvelous job with her, my dear."
    "Oh, it was not my doing. Not entirely, anyway. I did select that emerald figured silk, though, as well as the cunning little aigrette in her hair. The color suits her, don't you think? It brings out the—"
    "Green flecks in her eyes. I noticed."
    She lifted her eyebrows. "I ought to have known you would notice, Max. Must I prepare a lecture for my niece on the dangers of the infamous Max Davenant?"
    "That will not be necessary. I would never do that to you, my dear. I was simply admiring all you have done for her. I do indeed remember her arrival. I thought her the drabbest mouse."
    "Do you know on that very first day she announced to me that she wished to be transformed? She knew she looked the mouse and wanted so desperately to be stylish. But even the most fashionable dresses could not have disguised a vapid disposition. From the first, though, she has shown such gumption, such spark, such—"
    "Such a wild desire to experience everything."
    "Yes! You've noticed it, too? I declare, a sort of mad curiosity, an exquisite wonder, fairly throbs in her veins. Oh Max, she reminds me so much of myself at a younger age—much younger even than Rosalind. Poor thing, how Edmund must have stifled her spirit all these years. I could strangle the man. No wonder she wanted to come to town. She must have been bursting to escape before it was too late."
    "Too late?"
    "She is six and twenty, Max."
    "Too late for a Season? Too late to find a husband? But she tells me she is not looking for a husband."
    Fanny gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Yes, I know. She has told me the same thing, over and over again. The odd thing is, I believe she means it."
    "I got the same impression."
    When the quadrille ended, Max saw Rosalind make her way toward them and he rose to allow her his place on the bench. She sank down upon it in a swirl of green silk, breathless, and worked her fan with enough vigor to stir up a respectable gust.
    "Heavens, but it has become warm in here. I really do not know why my sisters thought this place so wonderful."
    "You appeared to be enjoying yourself," Max said.
    "Well, there are always interesting people everywhere one goes in London, are there not? But all things considered—the decor, the food, the music—this place is really nothing very special. In fact, if s a trifle dull. Especially compared to some of the other parties we've attended."
    Fanny rose to her feet and shook out her skirts. "Rosalind, my dear, you are a woman after my own heart. If you are quite satisfied that you have seen enough of Almack's, let us be off to the Sanbourne ball. It is sure to be more entertaining."
    As they gathered at the King Street entrance to meet Max's carriage, the strains of a waltz could be heard from within the assembly hall. "Oh, blast!" Rosalind exclaimed. "Wouldn't you know they'd play a waltz now, just when we're leaving. I was so hoping to dance one."
    "It is just as well," Fanny said as she was handed into the carriage. "You have yet not received permission to waltz."
    Rosalind looked sharply at her aunt. "Permission? I must have permission to waltz? From whom, may I ask? From you, aunt?"
    "Heavens, no! Why should it matter to me? No, it is those blasted patronesses who rule Almack's."
    "They can decide who dances what?" Rosalind's eyes grew wide with indignation.
    "They decide everything in regard to Almack's, including who can attend," Max said. "Did you not know