The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne by Madeline Hunter Read Free Book Online

scrutinized Darius at the same time.
    “A bit old, aren’t you?” he said.
    “Ancient,” Darius replied dryly. Thirty-three probably did look old to a pup barely out of university, he supposed. It had to him when he was that age.
    His new companion thought the response droll, but seemed to realize the question had not gone down well. “My apologies, sir. I only meant that I think she is looking for someone younger. Perhaps not, though, and your maturity will put us all to a disadvantage.” He angled his body, the better to chat. “John Laughton, at your service.”
    Darius believed that etiquette existed for good reasons, but he prided himself on not being a stickler. Therefore he introduced himself in turn. “Southwaite.”
    Laughton frowned, perplexed. “Oh?
Ohhhh
.” He glanced around the chamber. “You are not here—that is, it goes without saying you are not competition.” He laughed. “I confess that is a relief to me.”
    Darius was about to reassure him that he certainly was
not
competition, when a door opened at the end of the drawing room and a woman emerged from the connecting library.
    It was not Miss Fairbourne. Rather Lady Cassandra Vernham, the notorious sister of the Earl of Barrowmore, immediately garnered the attention of every man in the chamber.
    A tumble of black curls fell around her face and neck from beneath a white lacy cap perched high on her crown. The palest green diaphanous cloth flowed around her body from where a white ribbon bound it high under her admirable breasts. Her large red mouth pursed and appeared shockingly erotic while she opened a journal book and peered at its page.
    “Mr. Laughton.”
    Laughton sprang to his feet, smoothed his coat, and walked forward. He followed Cassandra into the library and the door closed.
    Laughton had left behind a newspaper. Darius noticed that the page showing had been marked. He picked it up and read the advertisement that been worthy of John Laughton’s attention.
    Wanted: For a very special and most pleasurable employment, a handsome young man of amiable disposition and notable wit, with excellent manners, advanced education, and unquestionable discretion. Must possess a fashionable appearance, a strong physique, an enjoyment of female company, and undisputed charm. Inquire at the chambers of Mr. Weatherby, on Green Street.
    It was a peculiar and somewhat startling notice. Someone clearly sought something other than a footman or secretary.
    Darius looked at the very amiable and fashionable young men lounging in the drawing room. Presumably they had all been sent here when they visited Mr. Weatherby.
    Evidently there was much more to Miss Fairbourne than he had surmised. Her judgment left much to be desired, however. What was the woman thinking? Maurice must be turning over in his grave.
    He strode from the drawing room, to go and find Riggles. Out on the landing a sound made him pause in his tracks. Clear as could be, he heard two women speaking around the corner.
    “He is definitely the best of the lot so far, and we should ensure he will pass muster, Emma.”
    “We can do that while he remains dressed.”
    “I only asked him to remove his coats so his physique would be visible. Much is obscured by coats, and strong shoulders can become quite narrow once a man is in his shirtsleeves and nothing more.”
    “He will be wearing coats all the time, so that does not signify.”
    Silence then. Long enough that Darius assumed the ladies had returned to the library.
    “Emma, I fear that you do not comprehend the practicalities,” Cassandra Vernham spoke again. “Do you really think that men forever remain in their coats when they charm and flatter to the extent you expect?”
    Darius turned on his heel and returned to the drawing room. Standing at the door, he eyed the young men waiting to impress Miss Fairbourne with just how charming they could be.
    “I say that you hire Mr. Laughton, and we send the others away,” Cassandra said.