Devil's Match Read Online Free PDF Page A

here.” Juliana rushed to the door and peered anxiously out. “Think on what I’ve said—you may see Miss Ashley again at the Beresfords’ this very evening for ’tis Maria’s come-out—and ’twill be such a squeeze that you might manage to go unremarked.” With that, she slipped out of the room.

Chapter 3
3
    â€œG ood heavens!” Lenore Canfield clutched convulsively at her husband’s coat sleeve and gaped with astonishment. “Max, ’tis Patrick! How dare he—Max, you must find Juliana ere she is ruined by the assocation—she’ll not have sense enough to give him the cut direct. Oh, Max,” she moaned, “he’ll ruin us.”
    â€œNonsense, Lee,” her husband soothed while carefully disengaging her clenched fingers. “He is her cousin, after all, so it is to be expected that they will converse. Besides, I have never thought him half so bad as you would have him. Indeed, I quite like him above any of your other relations.”
    â€œHow can you say so when you know what he has done to us—after those horrid inquests? Max, you are the most unfeeling of fathers!”
    â€œAnd I have always believed that we should have brushed through better if the Danvers family had supported Patrick,” he reminded her dryly. “He was acquitted—or have you chosen to forget that?”
    Ignoring his logic, she continued to fret. “Oh, dear! What can Joanna Beresford be thinking of? And poor Maria! ’Tis her come-out, after all.” Lenore craned her neck for a view of their hostess and the honoree, but was denied the satisfaction of seeing their shocked and dismayed expressions since Patrick’s tall frame obscured the scene. “Well, there is nothing for it,” she decided, “but that we must leave. I would not for the world remind anyone of the connection.”
    â€œLee,”—her husband’s voice dropped in warning—“we shall do no such thing. For one thing, I have paid more than a hundred guineas for the gowns you and Juliana are wearing; for another, such a public display of your feelings cannot but dredge up the very scandal you wish to avoid.” He smoothed the fabric of his sleeve before carefully placing her hand in the crook of his arm. “Now, we shall go on as planned. You may ignore his presence if you wish, but you will not cause any unpleasantness. That would be far more fatal to your daughter’s success than a chance meeting with Patrick,” he told her firmly.
    But Lady Lenore was not easily mollified, particularly not when she saw the object of her indignation moving from the receiving line to intercept Juliana. “Max,” she hissed almost hysterically, “ do something!”
    Unperturbed, Maximillian Canfield forcibly drew his lady away. “Now, Lee,” he reminded again, “she is his cousin. And unless I am mistaken, that is Albert Bascombe with him. Ten to one, he is but presenting young Bertie to your daughter.”
    â€œBascombe?” Lenore was temporarily diverted as she digested the possibility. “Is that not the Earl of Haverstoke’s heir? I do not believe I have seen him at any of these affairs before.”
    The transparency of her thoughts amused her husband. “It is—though I should not set my heart on him for a son-in-law, Lee. Bertie Bascombe is certainly no match for Juliana—from all I have heard, the boy’s a trifle slow-witted.”
    â€œNonsense,” she dismissed, “Haverstoke’s got thirty thousand if he’s got a farthing, Max. Besides, with Juliana, there’s much to be said for an amiable husband.”
    â€œQuite the opposite, my dear.” Sir Max shook his head. “Our Juliana will require someone quite masterful, I think.” He turned to watch his wife’s nephew bow over his daughter’s hand. “No, she and Patrick are much alike, I am