Rendezvous by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page B

he was concentrating on old Greeks and Romans it was impossible to get his full attention. He had no doubt been just as preoccupied earlier when Graystone had called. No wonder matters had gotten confused. “I cannot believe you have done something that will affect my future so drastically without even consulting me.”
    “He’ll make you a sound husband, Augusta.”
    “I do not want a
sound
husband. I do not particularly want any sort of husband at all, least of all a
sound
one. What the devil does that mean, anyway?
Sound
. A horse is
sound
.”
    “The thing is, my girl, you are not likely to get a better offer.”
    “Very likely not. But don’t you see, Uncle Thomas, the offer was not for me. I am quite certain of it.” Augusta whirled about, the ruby skirts of her habit pooling around her boots. “Oh, Uncle Thomas, I do not mean to be short with you. Heaven knows you have been all that is kind andgenerous to me and I shall be forever grateful, you must know that.”
    “Just as I am grateful to you, my dear, for all you have done for Claudia this Season. You have brought her out of her shell and turned her from a shy little mouse into a sensation. Her mother would have been proud.”
    “Twas nothing, Uncle Thomas. Claudia is a beautiful, accomplished woman. She merely needed advice on her clothes and on the proper ways of conducting herself in Society.”
    “All of which you could provide.”
    Augusta shrugged. “A legacy from my mother. She entertained frequently and taught me much. I have also had the assistance of Lady Arbuthnott, who knows everyone. So you must not hand me all the credit. I am well aware you gave me the task of launching Claudia as a remedy for my melancholy. And it was kind of you. Truly it was.”
    Sir Thomas grunted in surprise. “As I recall, I merely asked you to accompany Claudia to a soiree one evening. You took charge from there. You made her one of your projects. And whenever you are involved in a project, my dear, things have a way of happening.”
    “Thank you, Uncle Thomas. But about Graystone. I must insist—”
    “Now, don’t you worry about Graystone. As I said, he’ll make you a sound husband. Man’s solid as a rock. Got brains and a fortune. What more could a woman want?”
    “Uncle Thomas, you don’t understand.”
    “You’re just feeling a bit emotional at the moment, that’s all. The Northumberland side of the family always was emotional.”
    Augusta stared at her uncle in seething frustration and then she rushed from the room before she burst into tears.
    Augusta was still simmering with frustration later that evening as she dressed for the night’s array of soirees andparties. But at least she was no longer on the point of tears, she told herself with pride. This was a crisis that called for action, not emotion.
    Claudia studied Augusta’s scowl with gentle concern. Then, with a naturally graceful gesture, she poured two cups of tea and offered one to her cousin with a soothing smile. “Calm yourself, Augusta. All will be well.”
    “How the devil can all be well when such a dreadful mistake has been made? Dear God, Claudia, don’t you understand? Disaster is upon us. Uncle Thomas got so excited he went ahead and sent the notices off to the papers. By tomorrow morning Graystone and I shall be officially engaged. There will be no honorable way for him to get out of the arrangement once the news is in print.”
    “I understand.”
    “Then how can you sit there pouring tea as if nothing has happened?” Augusta slammed her cup and saucer down and shot to her feet. She whirled about and began striding back and forth across the width of her bedchamber. Her dark brows were drawn together above her narrowed eyes.
    For once Augusta was hardly aware of what she was wearing. Her mind had been in such turmoil that she had been unable to concentrate on the usually pleasant task of choosing her attire. Her maid Betsy had selected the rose-colored evening gown