A Magnificent Match Read Online Free PDF Page B

may drive away unwelcome conversation with a dash of agricultural jargon.”
    “You are a hoodwinking rogue, Patrick!” exclaimed Megan, almost disbelieving.
    “Am I, now? Or am I merely countering one sort of towering dogma with another? Certainly I am never constrained to bear with a conversation about horseflesh longer than I wish,” murmured Mr. Kennehessey as they crossed the threshold.
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Chapter 4
    The large drawing room was full. Every chair and settee was occupied, generally by finely gowned ladies of various ages. The gentlemen lounged about, either paying court to ladies of their choice or going to stand with the group arranged before the mantel, their backs to the warm fire. The buzz of conversation slowed as heads turned to see who else was joining the company.
    Raising his voice, Mr. Kennehessey said, as though continuing a long digression, “And the drainage ditches cannot be any narrower for that reason. There are exceptions, of course. There is—”
    Megan’s stunned expression was attributed to extreme boredom. Several individuals smiled, already well acquainted with Mr. Kennehessey’s propensity to agriculture.
    Captain O’Connell stepped forward to rescue his sister. “Patrick, your servant. Megan, I should like a word with you, if I may.”
    “Of course.” Megan turned her head to say a civil word to her brother-in-law, but Mr. Kennehessey was already bowing and moving away.
    “Regular jaw-me-dead, isn’t he?” said Captain O’Connell, grimacing.
    Megan shook her head, smiling. She wished that she could reveal their brother-in-law’s astounding subterfuge, but he had not granted her permission to do that. “Patrick is a good, worthy man,” she said.
    “Oh, that goes without saying,” said Captain O’Connell dismissively. “Let us forget him, if you please. What is this our mother has so graciously conveyed to me not two minutes before you chose to make your entrance? That I am to escort you to London to the modiste shops?”
    Megan laughed. “Oh, poor Colin! It is not nearly so bad as that. I am going on a shopping trip, but I shall have Mrs. Tyler with me. You are merely to accompany us to the town house. Your duty shall end there.”
    “You ease my mind, dear sister,” said Captain O’Connell. The rather hard glint in his eyes receded. “I was of no mind to trail behind a female while she bought a few fripperies and gloves.”
    “You need not fear. I would never infringe upon your good nature in such a self-centered fashion,” said Megan evenly. “In any event, you would not allow me to do so, would you?”
    Captain O’Connell smiled slowly. He regarded her expression thoughtfully. “I believe that I have angered you, Megan.”
    Megan also smiled. Her gaze was very steady, though there was a spark in the depths of her eyes. “No, why should I be? I cannot expect you to put yourself about for me. It would be the height of idiocy to think that, would it not?” She did not want to skirmish with her brother and looked about for an excuse to leave him. “Oh, there is Sophronia waving at me. Why does she need to bring those pugs along with her even tonight?”
    “Look at Lionel’s face for the answer to your question,” said Captain O’Connell, nodding his head toward their elder brother.
    Mr. O’Connell had attired himself carefully for the evening in a dark coat, frilled shirt and waistcoat, and pantaloons. His was a handsome figure, the only mar to his correct appearance being his expression. He was frowning as he stared across the room at his wife. Quite deliberately, he turned his back and began speaking to a guest.
    “The cut direct,” observed Captain O’Connell.
    “That was very bad of Lionel,” said Megan, annoyed. “That must certainly set a few tongues wagging. And I can well imagine Sophronia’s feelings!”
    “Do not get up in arms over it, dear sister. I doubt that Sophronia even noticed,” said Captain O’Connell sardonically. “She fawns so