Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas Read Free Book Online

wanting.
    It was the secretary's last few lines, reporting on the Bowman family's welfare, that had seized Matthew's attention.
    There is private doubt, the secretary had written, that the younger Miss Bowman will have any success at finding a suitable gentleman to wed. Therefore Mr. Bowman has decided to bring her back to New York if she is still not betrothed by the end of spring…
    This had left Matthew in a quandary. If Daisy was returning to New York, Matthew was damned well going to England. He would hedge his bets by accepting the position in Bristol, and waiting to see if Daisy managed to catch a husband. If she did, Matthew would find a replacement for himself and head back to New York.
    As long as there was an ocean between them, everything would be fine.
    As Matthew crossed through the main entrance hall he caught sight of Lord Westcliff. The earl was in the company of a big, black-haired man who possessed a somewhat piratical appearance despite his elegant attire. Matthew guessed that he was Simon Hunt, Westcliff's business partner and reportedly his closest friend. For all Hunt's financial success— which by all reports was remarkable— he had been born a butcher's son, with no blood ties to the aristocracy.
    "Mr. Swift," Westcliff said easily, as they met near the bottom of the grand staircase. "It seems you've returned early from your walk. I hope the views were pleasing?"
    "The views were magnificent, my lord," Matthew replied. "I look forward to many such walks around the estate. I came back early because I happened to meet with Miss Bowman along the way."
    "Ah." Westcliff's face was impassive. "No doubt that was a surprise for Miss Bowman."
    And not a welcome one was the unspoken subtext. Matthew met the earl's gaze without blinking. One of his more useful skills was that of being able to read the minute alterations in expression and posture that gave people's thoughts away. But Westcliff was an unusually self-controlled man. Matthew admired that.
    "I think it's safe to say it was one of many surprises Miss Bowman has received recently," Matthew replied. It was a deliberate attempt to find out if Westcliff knew anything about the possible arranged marriage with Daisy.
    The earl responded only with an infinitesimal lift of his brows, as if he found the remark interesting but not worthy of a response. Damn, Matthew thought with increasing admiration.
    Westcliff turned to the black-haired man beside him. "Hunt, I would like to introduce Matthew Swift— the American I mentioned to you earlier. Swift, this is Mr. Simon Hunt."
    They shook hands firmly. Hunt was five to ten years older than Matthew and looked as if he could be mean as hell in a fight. A bold, confident man who reputedly loved to skewer pretensions and upper-class affectations.
    "I've heard of your accomplishments with Consolidated Locomotive Works," Matthew told Hunt. "There is a great deal of interest in New York regarding your merging of British craftsmanship with American manufacturing methods."
    Hunt smiled sardonically. "Much as I would like to take all the credit, modesty compels me to reveal that Westcliff had something to do with it. He and his brother-in-law are my business partners."
    "Obviously the combination is highly successful," Matthew replied.
    Hunt turned to Westcliff. "He has a talent for flattery," he remarked. "Can we hire him?"
    Westcliff's mouth twitched with amusement. "I'm afraid my father-in-law would object. Mr. Swift's talents are needed to built a factory and start a company office in Bristol."
    Matthew decided to nudge the conversation in a different direction. "I've read of the recent movement in Parliament for nationalization of the British railroad industry," he said to Westcliff. "I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, my lord."
    "Good God, don't get him started on that," Hunt said.
    The subject caused a scowl to appear on Westcliff's brow. "The last thing the public needs is for