The Promise in a Kiss by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online Page A

ton.”
    â€œThere must be some—there are some.”
    â€œBut we have other criteria to satisfy, do we not?”
    Her criteria weren’t the same as his, but unfortunately, satisfying her criteria would also satisfy his. An acquiescent husband who would allow her to rule their marriage would not raise a fuss should she decide to take a lover. Indeed, who knew? She might. But any lover she took would be of the same ilk—a man who pandered to her wishes rather than expecting her to pander to his.
    In other words, not the man walking by her side.
    â€œLet us start with the title first. It will narrow the field.”
    â€œIt will indeed.” He considered the knots of people scattered over the lawns as they strolled slowly along. “Will your guardian’s stipulations stretch to viscounts? In most cases they will, after all, eventually be earls.”
    â€œHmm—it is possible, I suppose. If all other criteria were met.”
    â€œIn that case let me introduce you to Viscount Digby. He’s the heir to the Earl of Quantock, who has considerable estates in the west of the country. An estimable man, so I hear.”
    He led her to a group of gentlemen and ladies, introducing her generally, then, as only he could, “arranged” for her to stand beside the young viscount. After ten minutes coping with the viscount’s tongue-tied adoration, Helena caught Sebastian’s eye.
    â€œWell?” he asked as they strolled away.
    â€œHe’s too young.”
    That got her a stony glance. “I was not aware there was an age minimum.”
    â€œThere isn’t. He’s just too young.”
    â€œViscount Digby is twenty-six—older than you.”
    Helena waved dismissively. She looked around. “Who else is here?”
    After a moment Sebastian sighed. “ Mignonne, you are not making a difficult task any easier.”
    Nor was he. It occurred to Helena that spending so much time with him, with his often too-perceptive understanding and his accumulated experience in all manner of social intercourse, was not conducive to showing other men—younger, less experienced men—in any favorable light.
    If one was accustomed to gold, one was unlikely to be dazzled by tin.
    He introduced her to another viscount, a hedonistic youth almost too taken with his own beauty to notice hers. After listening to her opinion on that encounter with a resigned, somewhat paternal air, he led her to another group.
    â€œAllow me to present Lord Were.” Sebastian waited until they’d exchanged bows, then asked Were, “Any news from Lincolnshire?”
    Were was, Helena judged, close to Sebastian’s age. He was dressed well but soberly and had a pleasant countenance and a lively smile.
    He grimaced. “Nothing yet, but the leeches tell me it’ll be any day.”
    Sebastian turned to Helena. “Lord Were is heir to his uncle, the Marquess of Catterly.”
    â€œOld devil’s about to pop off,” Were informed her.
    â€œI see.” Helena spent the next ten minutes chatting on general subjects with his lordship. Beside her, she was conscious of Sebastian’s growing impatience. Eventually he drew her away.
    She went reluctantly. “He seems a kind man.”
    â€œHe is.”
    She glanced at Sebastian, unsure how to interpret the hard note in his voice. As usual, his face told her nothing.
    He was looking ahead. “I’d better return you to Mme Thierry before she starts imagining I’ve kidnapped you.”
    Helena nodded, willing enough to return; they’d been strolling for about an hour.
    Despite knowing his ulterior motive in finding her a complaisant husband, she had, on reflection, concluded that there was no point refusing his aid. Once she’d found the right candidate to fulfill Fabien’s stipulations and hers and married him, any subsequent relationship between herself and Sebastian would, after all, still be