The Waltzing Widow by Gayle Buck Read Free Book Online Page A

at this time,'’ Lady Mary said.
    "Oh, no, Mama, surely not. Why, the whole British army occupies the Low Countries, and everywhere in the streets this morning we saw so many of our brave fellows in their neat uniforms. I am positive that Bonaparte would not dare show his long nose anywhere near,” Abigail said.
    "I, too, have the greatest confidence in our army, Abigail. However, one must certainly pause for reflection when one hears that men are positively flocking to Bonaparte's banner,” Lady Mary said.
    "I think that the most shocking thing of all,” Lady Cecily agreed. “The man is nothing less than a bad penny come back to haunt us all."
    The drawing-room door had opened as she spoke, and a tall gentleman stepped in. “Who is that, Cecily?” he asked, going up to Lady Cecily and placing his hands on her shoulders as he bent to drop a kiss on the top of her head. He bowed slightly to the visiting ladies, who had watched his approach with curiosity.
    Lady Cecily greeted him with an affectionate smile. “Why, Bonaparte, of course, Robert. He was soundly beaten, and here he is back again. It is positively indecent."
    "I agree, Cecily. His manners are quite appalling,” the gentleman said, nodding.
    Lady Cecily twisted her head to stare up at him reproachfully. “Now you are teasing me again. What a horrid thing to do so early in the morning.” The gentleman laughed as she allowed her own winning smile to break out. She indicated her visitors. “Robert, I do not believe that you have met my guests, Lady Mary Spence and her daughter, Miss Abigail Spence. My brother, Robert, Earl of Kenmare."
    The ladies indicated how pleased they were to make his acquaintance. Lady Mary spoke in the easy, frank way that was characteristic of her, while Abigail responded to his polite greeting with an uncharacteristic hint of shyness. She had not been so long out of the schoolroom that titles were not still intimidating to her. However, she did send his lordship an appraising glance from under her lashes when he returned his attention to her mother, wondering with some surprise at an earl who was not bent over with age. She thought that making a splendid marriage to someone as handsome as the Earl of Kenmare would be a pleasant triumph indeed.
    As for Lady Mary, she was struck at once by the earl's strong virile looks and his quiet air of authority. Lord Kenmare was attired in a tight-fitting morning coat and buckskins, which set off to advantage his broad shoulders and lean length. His features were even, his eyes a deep sea-blue, and his well-molded mouth quirked at one corner in a most fascinating fashion when he smiled. Lady Mary was surprised by the turn of her thoughts, and she concentrated instead on the affectionate and sensitive manner in which his lordship treated his sister.
    Talk returned to the escape of Bonaparte and his extraordinary reception in France, but the earl seemed not to place much weight upon it. Lady Mary asked, “Do you not regard Bonaparte's return as a threat, my lord?"
    Lord Kenmare reflected a moment. “I would not disregard him, Lady Mary. The man has proved himself to be an able, charismatic leader. Let us say that I have the greatest confidence in his grace the Duke of Wellington and in our own gallant army,” he said.
    "But the duke is not here. He is in Vienna, while every day Bonaparte marches closer,” Lady Cecily said. Unconsciously her hands cradled her large belly. “I do wish we were all safe at home in England."
    The earl smiled at his sister. “You need not fret over Wilson-Jones, Cecily. He is a hardy fellow and not likely to let the prospect of a battle quail him, if it comes to that at all."
    "That is precisely what does make me anxious. Reginald positively dotes on what he terms a good fight. He says that it makes him feel ten times more alive,” Lady Cecily said with a grimace. “I shall never understand the male mind. It is all so illogical!” The earl laughed and she