Love Birds of Regent's Park Read Online Free PDF Page A

when he called, even more was the unanswered, perplexing question of why he still pursued her. The man was an earl. Surely there were desperate debutantes clamoring for someone of his title?
    “His father an d I were long acquainted. Transacting business together for years before he died.” Father’s faced reddened. Was that perspiration on his brow?
    She narrowed her eyes. “Is that the whole of the purpose for me to wed Conrad? To aid in our family’s business?”
    He had the decency to avert his glance. And shrugged. “But what of the suitors who wished to court you after your season? What of them? Was there not one among them who would do?”
    “ Father, those men were immature and crass. Thinking only of their own wealth and how much more they could accumulate by marrying me. Conrad fits into that category very well, I might add.”
    “ But if you do not marry someone soon, you’ll be living here. With me. For the rest of your life.”
    Lucy held out her hand, palm up. “Would that truly be so awful, Father?”
    “ That’s not what I meant. Not at all. My point is that it wouldn’t be what was best for you. Don’t you desire your own home? Marriage? Children?”
    “ Of course I desire those things. But not with the men from my season. And not with Conrad. Never with Conrad.” She glanced out a nearby window, as if speaking of the horrid man in question would cause him to appear.
    “ He really isn’t all that bad, now is he? You’ve known him for years. He’s made no secret of the fact that he’d like to marry you.”
    “ I don’t love him.” She ran her fingers across the arm of the settee.
    “ Love? That’s what you’re worried about?”
    “ Yes. Of course. If I’m to spend the rest of my life with someone, it needs to be for love.”
    “ Lucy… Lucy. I’m afraid life doesn’t always work that way.”
    “ But you and Mother loved each other.”
    “ Yes. After a time. But when we met, it wasn’t so. It took years before we… had fondness for each other.”
    “ I don’t desire to marry someone I have to learn to love. I simply want to love. And be loved.”
    Thoughts, even fleeting, of marrying Conrad, of having him kiss her , touch her… Her whole body chilled, not unlike the most frigid day in December.
    But Mr. Barrow… Everything about him was pleasant. And seemed to bring about a warmth that started in her core and spread outward until she felt wrapped in a embrace at just the sight of him.
    Her father sighed. “We’ve gotten off of our original subject. And don’t think I don’t know you did that on purpose. When you go out, you must be chaperoned. I insist on this, Lucy. Are we clear?” He lowered his eyebrows, a sure sign he wouldn’t budge on the issue. It would do no good to argue further.
    Drat.
    Sighing, she nodded. “Yes, Father.”
    “ Very good. I’m doing this for your own good. You know that, don’t you?”
    He frowned. How was she to argue further with him when he did that? His gruff countenance resembled a bulldog in pain. “Yes, Father, I understand.” Walking around to his chair, she bent and placed a light kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”
    “ There’s a good girl.” He waved her toward the door and bent over his task again. There was nothing to do now but leave him to his work.
    A good girl. That‘s what everyone would think. Would a man, the right man, ever see her as more than her father’s little girl?

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Lucy was determined to visit the Bird Sanctuary. And if that meant Anna tagging along, so be it. If only the older woman didn’t dawdle so. She took forever to decide what Lucy should wear.
    Covering her mouth, Lucy stifled a yawn. She’d lost nearly a whole night’s sleep thinking about her father’s plans for her to marry Conrad. If only Mother were there. Surely she would have been able to convince him otherwise.
    “ Anna, I’m quite sure what I’m wearing will be just