Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney Read Free Book Online Page A

world.”
    â€œI’m keeping my expectations low,” Daniel said as a footman admitted them to the crowded foyer. “If I meet a woman who can run the Romayne properties and leave me free to practice medicine, I may make her an offer on the spot.”
    Laurel shook her head. “I do hope that reality makes a hash of your sober intentions.”
    Kirkland laughed. “That so often happens. I was sure I wouldn’t marry until I was old, over thirty, until I met you. But I think Daniel is more likely than most to keep his head despite the social whirl.”
    Daniel agreed. Low expectations. All he needed was a pleasant, honest, capable woman with whom he might have a family.
    Children. He glanced at his sister’s expanding waistline. He knew how much she wanted this baby, and he was startled to realize how intensely he wanted children himself. He’d been too busy to consider that in the past, but now—the time to start a family had arrived. If he didn’t do it soon, he’d slide into permanent bachelorhood.
    Daniel’s tension increased as they joined the receiving line, the three of them one small part of a flowing mass of chattering people. Shyness wasn’t part of his nature. In Bristol, he moved easily in every rank of society. But this was a new phase of life, one he wasn’t yet reconciled to.
    The couple ahead finished their greetings and moved on, so Kirkland stepped forward. Host and hostess were middle-aged, expensively dressed, and clearly accustomed to sailing the high seas of London society. As they smiled a welcome, Kirkland said, “Childe, Lady Childe, so good to see you again. You know my wife, of course, but allow me to present my brother-in-law, the new Lord Romayne.”
    The Childes instantly focused on Daniel. As he greeted his hosts, he could almost see wheels spinning in their minds as they searched for what they knew about the Romayne title and estate and calculated his potential value to them. From the approval in their expressions, Kirkland had been right about good tailoring being an essential form of armor. Daniel looked as if he belonged in this glittering throng.
    â€œGood to meet you, Romayne,” Lord Childe said heartily as he extended his hand. “You’re not a member of White’s yet, are you? I’d be delighted to take you around the club to meet some of the chaps you’ll work with in the House of Lords.”
    Which was a not very subtle attempt to determine Daniel’s political leanings. White’s was the unofficial headquarters of the Tories, while Brooks was patronized by the great Whig lords. Kirkland, typically enigmatic, was a member of both.
    As he shook Childe’s hand, Daniel said blandly, “I don’t know if I’ll be joining any clubs since I’ve no interest in gaming. I’m in London primarily to sort out the legalities associated with the title and estates.”
    Before Lord Childe could pursue the point, his wife took over. “Lord Romayne, such a pleasure. Let me offer my condolences on the loss of your predecessor. Your . . . cousin, I think? I regret that I didn’t know him.”
    â€œA rather distant cousin. I had only the slightest acquaintance with the late Lord Romayne myself.” Even that was overstating the case.
    â€œI hope we shall see more of you than we did your cousin,” she said with a trill of laughter. “London can never have too many handsome young gentlemen!” She gestured to her right. “My sons are at school, but allow me to present my daughters, Miss Childe and Miss Mary Childe.”
    The two blond girls were pretty in unmemorable ways. Miss Childe, the elder sister, looked like a worldly twenty and she assessed him sharply before granting a smile. “Delighted to meet you, Lord Romayne. I hope we have a chance to talk properly later.” She fluttered her lashes, clearly interested in him. He did not return her