Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] Read Online Free PDF Page A

And in doing that, give her the release she needed for what she’d cost him when she was seven years old. She had always been rash, impulsive, and had acted before she gave due consideration for the consequences of what she was doing. That behavior must be her nature, because she was still prone to speak and act before she thought.
    “Oh, wouldn’t it be simply divine if she married someone like that handsome Lord Bighampton?” Mae said as Sir Randolph walked away.
    June gave her sister an odd look. “What are you speaking of, Mae? You know it matters not if he’s handsome, as long as he’s titled.”
    “Yes, of course you are right, Sister, but Lord Bighampton just happens to be both.”
    Sophia didn’t want her aunts to get into an argument, as they were prone to do at times, so she said, “Aunt June, could I trouble you to get me a cup of punch? I feel in need of a little refreshment before the next dance begins.”
    “Why, of course, my dear. It’s no trouble at all.”
    “I’ll go with you,” Mae said.
    “You’ll do no such thing,” her sister admonished. “We can’t leave Sophia alone. What would people think if they saw her standing all by herself at her first ball?”
    “Of course, you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
    June walked away, and Sophia looked at her aunt Mae. Her dark green eyes were still watching Lord Bighampton with great interest. “Are you all right, Auntie?” she asked.
    “Oh, yes, quite,” she said without turning to look at Sophia. “I was just admiring how distinguished Lord Bighampton is. He’s the most handsome gentlemen I’ve ever seen.”
    Sophia heard something that sounded like wistfulness in her aunt’s voice and saw a faraway look in her eyes. She wanted to dismiss those notions as ridiculous, but something stopped her. Sophia couldn’t remember ever seeing either of her aunts as contemplative as Mae was. And while the earl was not a horrible-looking man by any standards, Sophia didn’t consider him handsome. The stranger who’d helped her with the young lad came to mind. Now he was a handsome man.
    Sophia smiled. “I do believe you are enchanted by the earl.”
    Mae gasped and started fanning herself with her hand-painted fan. “Who? Me? Don’t be ridiculous. Certainly not.”
    “Auntie, it’s all right if the man is pleasing to your eyes.”
    “Well, of course, I know that. And he is. I think he will be a perfect match for you.”
    “For me?” Sophia shook her head. “He is an earl, and I will consider him, but I’m not sure he would be the right person for me. You know, Auntie, he’s the perfect age for you.”
    “Me?” Mae fanned herself faster. “What’s gotten into you, child? I’m way too old to make a match.”
    “Nonsense. You can be too young to marry, but you cannot be too old.”
    “I suppose that could be true if you’ve been married before. Widows often remarry, and more than once.” Her attention drifted back to Lord Bighampton. “But marriage is not for spinsters like me. I let my chance at marriage and a family pass me by, and now it’s too late for this dried weed on the shelf.”
    The ring of wistfulness returned to her aunt’s voice, causing Sophia to say, “Oh, piffle. Who says it’s too late? Those old hens in Polite Society? The eager mamas who don’t care what they have to say or do to get their daughters vouchers for Almack’s? They don’t know everything.”
    “Yes, they do. And besides, June wouldn’t like it either.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” Sophia argued. “She can’t tell you what to do, can she? You’re the oldest. You were born first, right?”
    “Here’s your punch,” June said, walking up to Sophia and Mae. “And, yes, she was born first. Now, I just heard the music will start again shortly, Sophia, so drink up.”
    Sophia took the punch cup and took a long sip.
    “Sophia, please,” June said, “you might be famished, but we don’t want anyone seeing you drink as