Gentleman of Her Dreams Read Online Free PDF

schedule.”
    Henry turned and felt his mouth run dry. Charlotte was wearing a gown of blue and white stripes that was nipped in at the waist, showcasing her lovely figure. Her hair was pulled to the top of her head and curls cascaded around her face, while a miniscule little scrap of fabric that he assumed was her hat perched on top of her curls, lending her a rather mischievous air.
    The last thing Charlotte needed was to look more mischievous.
    Before he could extend her a proper greeting, Mrs. Wilson stepped forward and sent her daughter a frown. “Why are you on a tight schedule, and exactly where are you taking poor Henry?”
    Ah, Mrs. Wilson remembered the fact her daughter possessed the habit of pulling Henry, whether willing or not, into schemes that usually landed them in trouble.
    “We’re going sailing on the Hudson Bay,” Charlotte said.
    “You neglected to mention that in your note,” he muttered.
    Mrs. Wilson stiffened for a split second before a somewhat forced smile spread over her face. “I’m going to assume you dock a boat there, Henry.”
    “Actually, no,” Henry returned.
    Mrs. Wilson spun around so fast she almost made him dizzy. “Do not even tell me you’ve talked Henry into taking out that, for want of a better word, boat.”
    “It’s perfectly seaworthy,” Charlotte said, although her tone sounded a tad defensive.
    “If you’re determined to go boating today, Charlotte, we could always take out one of my boats,” Henry said. “I have several at my disposal, and I can guarantee that all of them float.”
    “We have to go to Hudson Bay, and you stated not a moment ago that you don’t dock a boat there,” Charlotte said between lips that were almost completely closed.
    Mrs. Wilson narrowed her eyes and began tapping her toe against the floor. “And why, pray tell, do you have to go boating on Hudson Bay and . . . why are you dressed like that if you’re going boating? Good heavens, Charlotte, if you fell overboard, you’d sink in a split second with that huge bustle.”
    “Which is why I’m not planning on falling overboard,” Charlotte said.
    “You’re avoiding my questions,” Mrs. Wilson said.
    Charlotte let out a huff. “Fine, if you must know, I’ve discovered that Mr. Hamilton Beckett has plans to sail around the bay with his children this morning, and since I’ve decided he’s the most appropriate man for me to marry, I wanted to look my best on the chance I sail into him.”
    Mrs. Wilson’s mouth gaped open. She finally snapped it shut, took a step closer to her daughter, and then began to sputter. “I had . . . had . . . had no idea you’d turned your attention to Mr. Beckett, and I certainly wasn’t aware of the fact the two of you have been seeing each other.”
    “She’s never met the gentleman, Mrs. Wilson,” Henry said.
    Mrs. Wilson closed her eyes and appeared to be counting under her breath. Henry smiled. He’d always enjoyed Mrs. Wilson, enjoyed her no-nonsense approach to life and her no-nonsense approach to her daughter, which, now that he thought about it, could actually work to his advantage.
    He should have remembered Mrs. Wilson could be counted as one of his greatest allies.
    She’d always adored him, always welcomed him into her home, and he’d always thought Mrs. Wilson harbored a secret hope that he and Charlotte would someday marry.
    “Darling, Mr. Beckett is far too old for you, and besides, he has two small children.”
    Henry blinked and realized that while he’d been lost in thought, Mrs. Wilson was providing invaluable advice to Charlotte.
    “I adore children,” Charlotte said.
    “You’ve never been around children for any length of time,” Mrs. Wilson countered.
    Charlotte tilted her head and got the mulish expression on her face that Henry knew far too well. “I see my niece and my nephews at least once a month.”
    Mrs. Wilson crossed her arms over her chest. “Your brothers and their wives have banned you