Lord Will & Her Grace Read Online Free PDF

two juvenile sisters had been
doggedly tailing Will for a fortnight. It was a wonder that two
girls, not long from the schoolroom, had learned the game of cat
and mouse so quickly. As they sat primly on the blue settee, he
could almost imagine claws beneath their long gloves.
    It would have been an altogether different
story if they had been available for a dalliance. William would
have been able to endure their silly chatter and cattish behavior.
Ah, indeed… sometimes two ladies fighting over him in a bedchamber
could be quite, quite… Oh hell, and damnation. Surrendering to
celibacy was not in his nature.
    Mornington stood up to signal the dining hour
and looked to Miss Somerset.
    William could not stop himself from claiming
her hand before his host, leaving Mornington to lead in the Welsh
country cousin.
    "Miss Somerset, allow me to take you in to
dinner, my dear."
    She flushed, which showed to advantage the
cream and gold hue of her shoulders against the white silk gown
with an apricot sash. Oh, yes, indeed, she presented a tempting
morsel.
    She refused to meet his eye but rose from the
chaise and began to walk with him toward the double doors.
    "Miss Somerset, I believe decorum dictates
you take my arm," William said softly.
    She reluctantly placed her arm on his without
looking at him.
    The party of six crossed the hall to enter
into the austere magnificence of the dining hall.
    "I have been wondering if you have a twin
sister, Miss Somerset," he said for her ears only.
    "A twin sister? Of course not. I am an only
child."
    "Then I should warn you that there was a dowd
at a shop in the village who said she would pass a message to you.
She had a remarkable resemblance to you, my dear."
    "I have no idea what you are talking about,
my lord. But I would appreciate it if you would refrain from
calling me your 'dear.' I am not." Miss Somerset released his arm
and attempted to move to the other side of the dining table.
    It was a shame what the gossipmongers of
London had done to this girl. Her bruised pride and reputation made
her prudish and unsure. Yet he was delighted to have found her. She
would prove to be a little bit of a challenge, he was sure. But a
recently fallen young spinster, along with the most definite allure
ten thousand a year brought, was exactly what was called for to
alleviate the dull, limited society here.
    " Ma Chérie ," William said under his
breath as he caught her arm. "You must allow me to seat you to my
right as is proper."
    She paused, then looked at his hand on her
arm and spoke quietly. "Please release me, sir. I have had my fill
of etiquette lessons, thank you."
    William smiled and removed his hand. "Pardon
me. No offense was intended."
    Miss Somerset turned her attention to the
table. Everyone else was seated. Her expression, when she realized
he had outmaneuvered her by stalling, was delightful. She sent him
a glance that could have melted a snowbank and stiffly sat in the
chair beside him, assuming an uncompromising, rigid posture.
    Mornington had placed Miss Owens to his right
and his elder sister, Felicia, at the foot. Anna Mornington looked
annoyed at finding herself between her sister and Miss Owens. Soon
enough the younger sister engaged the attention of her tablemates
with mindless banter.
    "Miss Somerset," William asked in low tones,
"may we dispense with your falsehoods at the draper's? For I wish
to know if you have been successful in your pursuit of a pair of…
well, a pair of pantaloons."
    "I thank you for your interest, sir, however,
it should be of no concern to you."
    "Ah. Quite right. It's just that I feel
compelled as a gentleman"—William arched an eyebrow—"to offer the
services of a tailor down from London tomorrow."
    "Thank you for this news, my lord. I'll
arrange for his services myself when I'm next in the village." She
picked up the water goblet, and took a long swallow, giving him
time to admire the long, slender line of her neck.
    "I see I've not explained