The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online

little interest in.
     
      As they neared the doors to the drawing room, he realized she’d shown no interest in him—in his likes, acquaintances, his life.
     
      Inwardly frowning, he glanced at her. She was treating him not just as a family friend, but worse, as an uncle. It hadn’t occurred to her—
     
      “Finally!” Caro emerged through the doors, saw them, and smiled. She glided toward them. “It’s so balmy out here—perfect for a pleasant interlude.”
     
      “Ah, my dear Caro, you read my mind—”
     
      Caro swung back. Ferdinand had followed her onto the terrace; he broke off as he realized there were others present.
     
      She reversed direction, intercepting him. “Mr. Anstruther-Wetherby and   Elizabeth   have been enjoying a stroll—we were just returning to the drawing room.”
     
      Ferdinand flashed his white smile. “ Excelente ! They may go in and we can stroll.”
     
      She’d intended to turn him back into the drawing room. Instead, deftly, he turned her. Half turned her—she caught his arm and was about to correct him when she sensed Michael move close.
     
      “Actually, Leponte, I believe that’s not what Mrs. Sutcliffe meant.”
     
      The delivery was urbane, his tone impossible to take exception to, yet steel rang beneath the words.
     
      Mentally rolling her eyes, resisting an urge to pat Michael’s arm and assure him she was perfectly capable of dealing with would-be gigolos like Ferdinand, she shook Ferdinand’s arm, dragging his gaze, belligerently locked with Michael’s, back to her. “Mr. Anstruther-Wetherby is right—there’s no time for a stroll for me. I must get back to my guests.”
     
      Ferdinand’s lips set, but he was forced to accede.
     
      Knowing he would sulk, suddenly perceiving an unexpected opportunity, she swung to   Elizabeth ; her face momentarily screened from both men, she signaled with her eyes, directing   Elizabeth   to Ferdinand. “You’re looking refreshed, my dear—perhaps you could help?”
     
      Elizabeth   blinked, then summoned an ingenuous smile. “Yes, of course.” Drawing her hand from Michael’s sleeve, she turned her smile on Ferdinand. “Perhaps you could take me to your aunt, sir? I’ve had very little chance to speak with her.”
     
      Ferdinand was too experienced to let his chagrin show; after only the most fleeting hesitation, he smiled his charming smile and with a courtly half-bow, murmured his delight.
     
      Ferdinand reached for   Elizabeth ’s hand; behind Caro, Michael shifted. It was a tiny movement, but both she and Ferdinand noted it. Ferdinand’s smile took on an edge. Grasping   Elizabeth ’s hand, he drew her nearer, settling her hand on his sleeve. “I will do more than that, my pretty one. I will stand by your side and…”
     
      Whatever else he planned, Caro didn’t hear as he bent closer to   Elizabeth   and lowered his voice.
     
      Caro knew   Elizabeth —and Edward—far too well to imagine Ferdinand would get any joy there, but   Elizabeth   had the sense to laugh delightedly as she and Ferdinand reentered the drawing room.
     
      Feeling quite pleased with   Elizabeth ’s performance, Caro turned to Michael, ignoring the irritation behind his polite mask. He was reasonably adept at hiding his emotions, but she was a diplomatic hostess of long standing, ergo an expert in divining people’s true reactions.
     
      He was—as she’d hoped—not just frustrated, but puzzled, and starting to be wary. She—they—needed him to reassess; she almost crossed her fingers as she reclaimed his arm. “The duke mentioned he’d like to speak with you again.”
     
      Recalled to duty, he accompanied her back into the drawing room.
     
      She ensured he was kept busy, away from   Elizabeth . Whether he noticed Ferdinand flirting with   Elizabeth , who wisely played the innocent, thus encouraging Ferdinand to even greater efforts, Caro couldn’t be