Unconventional Suitors 01 - Her Unconventional Suitor by Ginny Hartman Read Free Book Online Page A

drawing room and took in the endless vases of flowers she had been presented with by her plethora of morning callers. They ranged from lilies to roses, from simple arrangements to ostentatious ones, and the scent that permeated the air was overwhelming.
    All of a sudden, Lord Weatherby rose, drawing Gillian’s attention back to the dull man. “I must bid you good day, my lady.”
    Gillian wanted to say good riddance, but instead, she nodded to the gentleman. “Likewise, my lord,” then watched as he saw himself out of the room.
    As soon as he left, she sighed and fell back into the cushions of the settee. It was the first time that day that she’d had a break in callers. It fascinated her to see such a wide range of gentleman paying her a call, the men as varied as the flowers they presented her with, but she had to admit that it was getting rather wearisome.
    “Sit up straight, Gillian, before anybody else arrives.”
    Gillian did as her mother bade, just as another visitor was shown into the room. She struggled to keep the disappointment and disgust she felt from showing on her face as Lord Stephen sauntered into the room.
    “These are for you, Lady Gillian,” he said as he thrust forth a rather large bouquet of pink roses. She took them and buried her face in them, so as to avoid looking into his face. She had decided quite positively that she did not much care for the man after his remarks to her the night prior and had been desperately hoping he wouldn’t come calling this day.
    He made his way to a chair across from her as she rose to place the bouquet of roses on the only free spot on the mantel. When she resumed sitting, she said, “What brought you here today, Lord Stephen?”
    He looked at her quizzically before saying, “Why you, of course. I came to pay you a call and converse with you for a bit.”
    “But you yourself said that you thought women were only good for a few select pursuits, conversing not being one of those you listed.” She wasn’t sure whether it was her mother or Lord Stephen who gasped, perhaps both, but she didn’t feel the least bit guilty for her bold comment.
    “My lady,” Lord Stephen stammered, “perhaps you are confused by my comments last night. I had an inkling that you may have misread some of my statements, so I came to make my apologies and ask if you’d like to join me on a ride through Hyde Park later this afternoon.”
    Gillian was about to tell him that she was not daft, and that she was positively certain that she had heard and interpreted his comments correctly, when she was interrupted by a deep voice.
    “Unfortunately, Lord Stephen, she cannot go with you this afternoon, for she has already promised to accompany me.” Gillian’s eyes snapped towards the door where she saw that Lord Danford had just entered the room.
    “What is that fool doing here?” her mother whispered under her breath and though Gillian heard her, she chose to ignore her perturbed question.
    Gillian sat in shock as she watched him cross the floor and present her with a wilted bouquet of pansies, which she gingerly took in her gloved hands. Looking into his eyes, she said, “Thank you.” Lord Danford winked at her surreptitiously before sitting in the chair next to Lord Stephen’s.
    “How could she have already promised to accompany you on a ride, when you have only just arrived?” Lord Stephen asked, flabbergasted.
    Gillian looked at Lord Danford, curious as to how he’d respond.
    “I simply asked her last night, while we were dancing, if she would care to go on a ride with me. I had a feeling that many gentlemen would be vying for her attention, so I decided to beat them to it. Clever, don’t you think?”
    Lord Stephen didn’t look amused. “Is this true, Lady Gillian? Are you indeed going to be seen about Hyde Park during the fashionable hour with him?”
    “Yes Gillian,” her mother said icily. “Is it true?”
    Gillian glanced from her mother to Lord Danford, who sat