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

“He was the best so far.”
    “He was, wasn’t he? That is not the same as saying hewas superior, of course. I had no idea that so many conceited, self-absorbed, but somewhat stupid young men lived in London. I never guessed that my advertisement would be so successful when it came to the quantity of applicants, but so disappointing on the matter of quality.”
    Most of the ones Emma had thus far met looked the part she needed played. It was when they opened their mouths that she knew they would not do. They appeared incapable of talking about anything except themselves, no matter how much she and Cassandra prompted them.
    They had shown a disconcerting tendency to flirt too. She supposed that men finding themselves facing female interrogators might conclude flirting would help. Mr. Laughton had at least been more subtle about that, and had known a thing or two about art as well. The others had not revealed familiarity with even the most famous old masters.
    “I wish I could blame their youth or their class, Emma. I regret to say that most men of the ton are no more impressive. Less so, perhaps, since so many younger sons lack any purpose. And people wonder why I am in no rush to marry.” Cassandra folded her arms. “So, will Mr. Laughton do?”
    Emma weighed the decision. “I will give him credit that he even removed his coats with a certain aplomb, and hid his embarrassment well.”
    “That was because he was not embarrassed. He found it amusing.”
    So had Cassandra. That left only one person in the library suffering embarrassment. Her.
    Mr. Laughton had not even found the request odd. Perhaps potential employers demanded disrobing with regularity, to assess whether a prospect was in good health.
    “I believe that I should see any who respond to the advertisement today or tomorrow. If Mr. Laughton is still the best after that, and if Obediah finds him acceptable, he will have to do.”
    “Very well,” Cassandra said. “Five minutes each. No more, unless one of them impresses us immediately as potentially more suitable than Mr. Laughton.”
    Cassandra picked up her journal, into which she had been listing names off the calling cards that Obediah kept stacking on a table just inside the door to the servants’ corridor. She opened the door to the library.
    She immediately closed it again. Her color rose. She appeared startled.
    “They are all gone,” she said.
    “Gone?”
    “Disappeared. There were at least ten prospects when I brought in Mr. Laughton, and now there are none.”
    “The drawing room is empty?”
    “One man is waiting to be received, but he is not seeking your situation.”
    “How can you be sure? Obediah may have forgotten to bring us his card.”
    Cassandra marched to the table near the side door where a few cards still waited for entry on her list. “His card is here. For heaven’s sake, Mr. Riggles should have warned us, and not merely stuck this with the others. Better to have used Maitland today. He would never have been so careless.”
    “I wanted Obediah to at least see these young men so he could consult with us. We agreed he would contribute nothing if he sat here with us, so having him at the door was an alternative.” Emma held out her hand for the card. “Who is it?”
    Cassandra gave it over.
    Emma peered at the card. “The Earl of Southwaite? What an inconvenient nuisance for him to intrude today of all days.”
    “I did not realize you knew him.”
    “My father knew him. He has taken an interest in my welfare.”
    “He appears a little…stormy.”
    “That is probably because I have kept him waiting. I should not delay any longer, although I wish I could.” Emma smoothed her black dress and brushed off some lint. “Will you join me? You probably know him better than I do, since I barely know him at all.”
    “I will leave unobserved, if you do not mind,” Cassandra said. “Southwaite and I do not rub well together, and my presence will not make his humor