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

confidently in the wing-backed chair. For a moment she was unsure of how to answer. Certainly she had her reservations about being seen around town with the earl. She did not want to give anyone the wrong impression, but if she refused his offer, she’d be obligated to accept Lord Stephen’s, and the thought of spending more time in his company was unsettling.
    “He did ask first,” she answered lamely, avoiding her mother’s eyes. Lord Stephen scowled while her mother crossed her arms across her chest and huffed in a very unladylike fashion. Lord Danford beamed. His smile made him appear rather handsome, if it weren’t for his dreadful clothing.
    Lord Stephen rose stiffly from the chair. “Perhaps another time.”
    “Perhaps,” Gillian replied. “Good day.”
    Gillian didn’t even wait for him to fully leave before she turned to Lord Danford and asked, “Would you care for some tea?”
    “No, thank you. However, I did bring something for you.”
    She held up the limp flowers she was still holding, “But you have already given me these.”
    “Do you like them?” he asked eagerly. Gillian nibbled on her bottom lip, contemplating what to say. But, before she could answer, he continued, “I debated whether I should bring you some tulips or some zinnia’s, but I was afraid they would just get lost amongst the array of flowers you were certain to have received. Instead, I brought you the pansies, hoping they would stand out amongst the ostentatious arrangements.”
    “Well, then you have succeeded, for they certainly do stand out,” she admitted as she extended her arm towards her mother. “Mother, could you find a vase to put these in?”
    Her mother took the flowers and rose. “I will return momentarily. I will leave the door open so as to keep up the proper appearance.”
    Gillian nodded, then watched as her mother left, before turning her attention back to Lord Danford. “Tell me what else you brought for me,” she urged, most anxious to know what the curious man was about.
    Lord Danford pulled a piece of parchment from his jacket pocket, then leaned forward on his elbows and cleared his throat. “I wrote you a poem.”
    “Truly?” Gillian asked. “No one has ever written me a poem before. How delightful. Do read it.”
    Lord Danford held the paper out before him.
“My darling Lady Gillian,
    who’s eyes shine like the brightest marigold.
    You are a vision to behold.
    Have you been told?
    You dance like a gliding swan,
    and your hair is the color of a fawn.
    If I was an artist, I would draw you.”
    Gillian waited with baited breath to see if he was done. When it became apparent that the poem was over, she laughed. “That’s it?”
    “Do you not like it?” he asked, more seriously than she would have expected.
    “With all due respect, my lord, you are certainly no Byron. It is the worst poem I have ever heard.”
    Lord Danford surprised her by laughing, his previous somber look melting away as he crumpled the parchment into a ball. “Then we are in agreement, my lady.”
    Gillian jumped from her seat. “Do not throw it out, for surely something so dreadful deserves to be remembered.” Extending her hand towards him she said, “Please, I insist on keeping it, if only to further humor me when I am down.”
    Lord Danford placed the crumpled ball in her hand. “Very well. At least it served to humor you, my lady.”
    “You are not offended?” she asked, somewhat surprised as she uncrumpled the parchment and attempted to smooth it.
    “Not in the least. Now you are aware that I am not to be considered a poet.”
    “Is there anything else I should know about you?” she asked, somewhat in jest.
    “Ah, Lady Gillian, you would be surprised at all the secrets I keep hidden.”
    Her eyes searched his gray ones, curious as to what he could possibly mean.

Chapter 6
    Gillian chose to wear a yellow sprigged muslin walking dress on her ride with Lord Danford. She completed the look by wearing one of