There's Something About Lady Mary by Sophie Barnes Read Free Book Online Page B

spot her straight away, leaving her with little choice but to invite them in. With a soft rustle of her skirts, she immediately fled down the hallway and into the dining room, almost grateful to discover that no ostentatious bouquets of flowers had made it that far yet.
    She’d just pulled out her chair when the sound of loud voices arguing caught her attention. It sounded as if Thornton was yelling at somebody. Good heavens. Ten seconds later, the door flew open, admitting none other than Mr. Summersby.
    “I am terribly sorry, my lady,” Thornton apologized. “I tried to explain to him that you are not receiving visitors at the moment, but the gentleman just would not listen.”
    Mary scowled at Mr. Summersby. “It is quite all right, Thornton. Would you please send in another cup in case he would care for some tea.”
    “Very well, my lady,” Thornton replied, glaring at the unwelcome guest. “Should you otherwise need me, I shall not be far.”
    “Thank you, Thornton, but I am sure that I shall be just fine. You may, however, ask Emma to join us.”
    “Yes, my lady.”
    Once Thornton was gone, Mary turned her full attention to the man before her. “Well, this is an unexpected surprise,” she remarked. “Although Thornton did say that I could expect callers at any moment.”
    Mr. Summersby gave her a lopsided grin. “No true gentleman would dare to call upon a lady before three in the afternoon.”
    “Then I take it that you are not a true gentleman. Or are you perhaps a bit thickheaded? I thought I was quite clear about not wanting to see you again.”
    Mr. Summersby’s mouth made an awkward twist at that remark, as if he were doing his best to refrain from laughing. “You are mistaken, Lady Steepleton,” he told her. “I am the very epitome of a true gentleman. In fact, I am your knight in shining armor, come to rescue you from the horde of young pups that are sure to assault you with wagging tails and adoring eyes at any given moment. I shall vouch that they will slobber all over you.”
    “And just how exactly are you hoping to accomplish such a heroic feat?” Mary asked, unable to help herself from being taken in by Mr. Summersby’s charms.
    Will our conversations always border on the bizarre?
    Thornton returned just then with another cup that he placed upon the table across form Mary’s place setting. He was accompanied by Emma, who quickly bobbed a curtsy in her mistress’s direction. Mary took her seat, gestured for her guest to do the same, and watched in silence as Thornton poured each of them a steaming hot cup of tea. Emma perched herself on a chair in the corner, her face turned slightly away as if to offer some measure of privacy. Mary couldn’t help but be impressed by her thoughtfulness and quickly told Thornton to offer her a cup of tea as well. She then turned an expectant gaze on Mr. Summersby. “Well?”
    “Well, I was thinking that a ride in the park might be just the thing to make you want to keep my company.” Mary’s brows rose. The gentleman certainly didn’t waste his time. “I brought my carriage along, you see, and since the weather is as fine as it is today, we could perhaps even take a stroll along the Serpentine.”
    It did sound very tempting, yet Mary hadn’t forgotten why she’d dismissed the handsome man in the first place. Well, of course there was the problem of all the lies she’d probably end up weaving, but mostly it had something to do with the way he had looked at her when she’d told him that she was a marchioness. She knew she wasn’t exactly the prettiest of God’s creations, but that he’d been so shocked had actually hurt her quite a bit—quite possibly more than she cared to admit.
    Now, as far as her profession was concerned, perhaps she was underestimating Mr. Summersby. Was she really all that certain that he wouldn’t be supportive of her? She ignored the answer that came to mind, for it wasn’t at all the one she was hoping for. She