The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 by Kimberley Comeaux Read Free Book Online Page A

asked.

    ʻʼAs I was saying, we thought her doomed to a life alone until, of course, you came along, Dear sir.” She gave him another smile, and Katherine thought she might have even winked at him, but she could not be sure.

    ʻʼAh! Just like a fairytale, wouldnʼt you say, Katherine?”
    Thomas teased, smiling into her perturbed stare, holding fast to her hand when she tried to pull away.

    “Yes, that is exactly what Mama said. She also said she hoped you wouldnʼt wait long to propose, since you were Kateʼs only chance for matrimony and she did not want anything to happen to run you off.”

    This time Katherine managed to pull free of Thomasʼs hold. Leaping to her feet, she shook her finger at Lucy, who was now trying to scoot behind Thomas for protection. ʻʼYou will end up in the same situation, Sister dear, if you donʼt act in a more ladylike manner!” Katherine shrieked.

    By now Katherine was so angry, she forgot to mind her own behavior. All she could think of was getting her hands on her big-mouthed sibling. Twice she circled around the man as her sister kept scrambling away from her.

    Then, in a moment of triumph, Katherine caught her. “Ha!
    Iʼve got you. Now what are you going to do?” she growled as she tugged her sister by the arm and glared down into her panicked face.

    But then the panic turned to glee as Lucy focused on something beyond Katherine. “Mama! Papa! Help me!” she yelled in a pitiful voice. “Katherine was angry because I caught the two of them in a kiss, and now she is trying to harm me!”

    Katherine knew sheʼd been bested. But it wasnʼt the fact that her parents were there to witness her unladylike behavior-theyʼd seen her and Lucy get into tussles before. No, it was because she suddenly noticed Thomas watching her, doing all he could to hold back his laughter! .

    “Katherine! I say, Daughter, your behavior is not at all befitting your station!” her father scolded in his booming voice as he kept glancing with apprehension to Thomas.

    “Uh, yes, dear! We donʼt want to give anyone the wrong impression, do we?” her mother seconded, emphasizing each word in her last sentence while motioning toward Thomas with a non-subtle movement of her head.

    Thomas chose to rise at that moment, giving her parents a brief bow. “Your graces,” he greeted them with a dashing smile. “Trust me when I say there is nothing Katherine could do to change my good opinion of her.” Thomas turned his gaze to her, and she felt the power of his tender smile all the way to her toes. “I think she is the most beautiful, most fascinating woman I have ever met.”

    Katherine was barely aware of her parents crowing with approval and flattery aimed at Thomas, for she was momentarily struck blind and deaf from all else in the world except Thomas Thornton-a man Katherine was beginning to realize was a most extraordinary man, indeed. A fact she wished with all her heart sheʼd known before making her ill-fated plans.

    What would it be like, she wondered, if he were to be herʼs in truth? What would it be like to make plans for the future with this man in it?

    “Did anyone hear me when I said I caught them kissing?”
    Lucy called out, breaking the connection that had been flowing between them.

    Katherine opened her mouth to defend herself when Thomas spoke. “I beg your pardon, your graces, but I was only kissing Katherineʼs hand.” He smiled a charming smile at her mother. “Her gloved hand, at that.”

    Katherine watched her mother gush with glee. “Of course, we suspected nothing else,” Lady Montbatten assured him, waving her lacy handkerchief in his direction. “But I was young once, Mr. Thornton, and I do know what itʼs like when you are”—she paused for effect—“in love?”

    Katherine watched in wonder as Thomas handled her prying with cunning. “Your grace, one would only have to gaze upon your fair skin to suppose those memories were not so long ago,” he told her