Her Officer and Gentleman Read Online Free PDF

your father married that woman. She was not fit for that position. And now look at her! Flirting shamelessly with that man—” His lips folded with disapproval.
    “Charlotte has been a widow for a long time. Father would not have wished her to remain alone.She seems quite happy with Lord Bennington’s attentions, and surely she deserves that, at least.”
    “Bennington! Pah! I don’t trust him. Either of them!”
    “When Father was alive, Charlotte was completely devoted to him. You told me yourself that she made herself ill taking care of him the last few months of his life—”
    “I don’t want to discuss this anymore.”
    Beth sighed. She’d been young when Father had died, but she remembered Charlotte’s haggard expression and the way the woman had practically lived in the sickroom. After his death, Charlotte had taken to her own bed and hadn’t risen for months. If it hadn’t been for Dr. Neweston, Charlotte would probably still be abed. “Grandfather, Charlotte has not—”
    “Is she still seeing Dr. Neweston?”
    Beth frowned. “Yes. He is to bring her medicine today.”
    “Good. Now enough of Charlotte; I don’t wish to speak of her. Beth, you will set up residence in our London house as soon as possible. Your cousin Beatrice is returning to town to be your chaperone.”
    “Cousin Beatrice?”
    “She will be the perfect chaperone. She’s a bit older than you, but young enough to have the energy to gallivant about town. I wrote her a month ago, but she was on the continent with her husband. She is to return to town in two weeks.”
    “So I have two weeks—”
    “No. You will go to town tomorrow. You’ve fittings for gowns, shoes to purchase, all that frippery stuff. Until Beatrice arrives, Lady Clearmont will escort you.” He didn’t allow Beth to protest, but began issuing orders with bewildering speed about letters of credit and accounts.
    When he paused for breath, she quickly said, “Grandfather, there is a cost to my capitulation.”
    He cocked a wary brow.
    “I am willing to go to London, but for this one season only, whether I find a husband or not.”
    Grandfather’s shoulders slumped. “You are a difficult child.”
    “And you are a difficult old man, which is why we deal so well together. I want your word that if I have this season in London, you will cease speaking of it. Forever.”
    “And if I don’t agree?”
    “Then I won’t even go this one time. I shall stay at home, instead, and make life miserable by cosseting you until you scream for mercy.”
    He scowled. “It wouldn’t hurt you to find a husband.”
    “I said I would go,” Beth said with a laugh. “You will have to be content with that. Now, what were you saying about a bank draft?”
    Grandfather reluctantly began to explain how he’d arranged financing for her trip, his voice strengthening with enthusiasm with each word.
    Beth listened with but half an ear. She would go to London and set Grandfather’s mind at ease,but she would not countenance a horde of suitors panting after her dowry. That would not do. So as Grandfather set about describing his plan for her, Beth began to weave one of her own.
     
    Exactly four weeks later, in the Smythe-Singletons’ glittering ballroom, a small group of men waited near the door, eyeing the newcomers with impatience.
    Beth saw them as she entered. She muttered an imprecation under her breath and turned away so they would not see her.
    “Pardon?” Lady Clearmont asked, yawning behind her fan.
    Beth planted a smile on her face. “It’s a bit hot in here, isn’t it? I wonder if it might be cooler in the card room.”
    Lady Clearmont brightened immediately, her fingers tightening visibly over her stuffed reticule.
    Beth hid a smile. Though she had a large heart, Lady Clearmont was a horrid chaperone, disappearing into the card room each evening within moments of their arrival. If there was no gaming, she would simply find a comfortable chair and doze away the