The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online

made his way through the throng to Lady Isabelle. He bowed at the young girl. “I believe this is our dance, my lady?” She flushed and waved her fan as she tittered her response. She was so young. They were all so young.
    Except Lady Mary.
    He escorted his partner to a line of dancers, right next to Lady Mary and Mr. Ellsworth. She acknowledged him with a gracious nod, then turned abruptly away. She cast a warm smile at her partner, making Redgrave want to punch the man in the face.
    The music started, and he bowed to Lady Isabelle’s curtsy. He joined hands with her and switched places, putting him next to Lady Mary. “Are you enjoying the ball, Lady Mary?”
    She smiled once again at Mr. Ellsworth and answered without looking at him. “Indeed, I am. Are you enjoying it as well, Lord Redgrave?”
    “Yes.” He took Lady Isabelle’s hand and turned her, so their hands were joined behind their backs. They continued with the steps for a few minutes until he found himself next to Lady Mary again. He spoke from the side of his mouth. “I assume your dance card is full?”
    She hesitated, then said, “Yes. I believe it is.”
    He nodded and took Lady Isabelle’s hand, and moved down the center of the two lines. As each couple danced down the line, he tried very hard to concentrate on his partner. She was a sweet thing. Silly, and…young.
    “Have you gone riding in Hyde Park, Lord Redgrave?” The red flush and lowered eyelids on his partner’s face would appear becoming and charming to a younger man, but it just made him feel old. “I have.”
    “Perhaps one day you would like to join Mother and me on a ride? We have a lovely new barouche that Papa just acquired.”
    He groaned inwardly and stiffened when he heard Lady Mary’s muffled chuckle. She was looking at Mr. Ellsworth, her gloved hand covering her mouth, but he couldn’t help but think she’d heard Lady Isabelle’s comments.
    “A new barouche? That certainly sounds wonderful.” He switched places with her again, once more alongside Lady Mary.
    “Mother would love to have you call on us one afternoon, my lord.” He and Lady Isabelle joined hands, came together, then backed up. Once again they switched places. He glanced at Lady Mary, who turned her head and quickly looked away.
    “I will certainly attempt to stop by. Right now my afternoons are somewhat busy, however. Parliament, you know.”
    Her young face fell, making him feel as though he’d snatched candy from a babe. She curtsied to his bow as the dance finished. He escorted the girl back to her mother, sidestepping the woman’s invitation to join them for tea. He indicated he would love to stop by one afternoon when his busy schedule allowed. Bowing politely, he hurried away.
    How would he find a wife within this group? The newly come-out girls were so incredibly young, and the women who had already passed a few seasons left a bit to be desired. There was a reason, after all, that they remained unspoken for.
    Not that he was only concerned with face and form. A pleasant demeanor, kindness and graciousness, a sense of caring for others, went a long way in a wife.
    A lesson he’d learned the hard way.
    The sound of flesh hitting flesh drew Redgrave from the library to the corridor. Priscilla stood over a young maid, her face enraged, a bright red mark on the poor girl’s cheek.
    “What the devil are you doing, Priscilla?”
    “The girl purposely broke my favorite statue. The one Papa gave me.”
    “I’m so sorry, my lord.” The girl sobbed. “It was an accident. I was dusting and my cloth caught the top of it.”
    He sprang forward and grabbed Priscilla by the wrist as she raised her hand again to strike the maid. “Do not hit her.”
    Priscilla wrenched her arm from his grip. “Why? Is she warming your bed? Or are you merely shoving her up against the wall in a dark corner and lifting her skirts?”
    He turned to the red-faced maid. “You may leave us now.”
    Tears streaming down