A Summer to Remember Read Online Free PDF Page B

soft curls. Her face was oval with high cheekbones and straight nose and large eyes—he could not see their color from where he stood. She was elegantly and fashionably dressed in a shimmering satin gown of deep violet, which she wore with silver gloves and slippers and a pale violet fan.
    She was nothing short of a beauty. Kit’s lips pursed in a silent whistle.
    She was conversing with her companions, but she was fanning herself and looking about at the same time. For a few moments Kit was pleasantly surprised by the smile on her face. It gave the lie, seemingly, to the notion that she was as cold as a marble statue. But the expression, he noticed as he kept watching, did not once change as she continued to converse and look about. Then it struck him that perhaps it was not so much a smile as a haughty, condescending look of contempt for all the lesser mortals within her orbit.
    “A diamond of the first water,” he murmured, lowering his glass.
    “Indeed,” Lord Farrington agreed. “And an impregnable fortress if ever I saw one, Ravensberg. She looks as if she considers anything short of royalty quite unworthy of her notice.” He obviously found the thought amusing.
    “But then,” Kit said, looking about for their hostess, who by happy chance was making her way toward them, a smile of welcome on her face, “I always did have a weakness for impregnable fortresses, Farrington. And for other assorted impossible challenges.”
    “Lord Farrington, Lord Ravensberg.” Lady Mannering was all gracious charm as she presented each of them with a gloved hand to bow over. “How delightful that you have seen fit to attend my ball. And how provoking that you have arrived so late. You cannot know what a headache it is to a hostess to have to provide all the young ladies with partners for the opening set when all the young gentlemen persist in being fashionably late.”
    “But it is not with the
very
young ladies that I came to dance, ma’am,” Lord Farrington said with his most disarming smile. “I knew the partner of my choice would be busy for the first few sets finding partners for her guests. It was my hope that by now you might be free to honor me with your hand for a set.”
    Lady Mannering laughed as she tapped his arm sharply with her closed fan. “You are a rogue, Farrington,” she said. “It would serve you right if I clung to your arm for the rest of the evening. Now, how did you succeed in luring Lord Ravensberg here? It was my understanding that he is always too busy racing his curricle to Brighton and engaging in other such fascinating manly activities to attend dull events like balls. However, his notorious presence will guarantee the unqualified success of mine.” She tapped Kit in his turn on the arm with her folded fan.
    He inclined his head. “How could I resist, ma’am,” he said, “when I saw that the invitation came from one of my mother’s dearest friends?”
    “I have not set eyes on your mama in years,” Lady Mannering said bluntly. “She stays in the country. Now, permit me to find partners for you both. Though if all the fond mamas do not grab their daughters and run with them the moment they see the infamous Viscount Ravensberg in my ballroom, I will be agreeably surprised.”
    “Perhaps, ma’am,” Kit said, favoring her with his most engaging smile, “you would present me to Miss Edgeworth of Newbury?”
    Lady Mannering’s eyebrows rose. “I believe there are younger ladies who are far more desirous of handsome, roguish partners than Miss Edgeworth,” she said. “And it is her family, rather than I, who have been choosing her partners this evening. However, if it is your wish.”
    “It is, ma’am.” Kit bowed again.
    “And is it also your wish?” Lady Mannering asked Lord Farrington.
    “Thank you, ma’am,” he said, “but I see some acquaintances across the room to whom I must make myself agreeable—since you are to be otherwise engaged.”
    Kit followed his