Mally : Signet Regency Romance (9781101568057) Read Online Free PDF Page A

it.”
    He was concerned immediately, taking Mrs. Berrisford’s hand. “I had not realized. But we must do what we can to take your mind off so sad a matter. I shall see to it that your time here is gay and enjoyable, Mrs. Berrisford.”
    She flushed uncomfortably. “Oh, please, Sir Christopher, do not concern yourself with me.”
    â€œAnd why not?” he said with a smile. Mally watched him. He could surely charm any bird off any tree—
    Mrs. Berrisford went pink with pleasure. “Because I am an old biddy who has no wish to play gooseberry to you and Marigold.”
    â€œIf you join us in Hyde Park this afternoon it could be that the crush will place us next to an eligible earl,” he teased.
    â€œI do not want an eligible earl, thank you very much.” She tapped his arm with her closed fan. “But thank you for your concern. I shall remain here and chitter-chatter with Lucy.”
    She watched him as he picked up his top hat and gloves. He was surely the very picture of everything elegant and fashionable. There was an air of endless quality about Sir Christopher Carlyon, from the full muslin cravat and frilled shirt, to the dull gray coat and brocade waistcoat. A peacock-colored waistcoat, but so perfect. Mrs. Berrisford sighed with satisfaction. Just wait until that sour old Mrs. Clevely saw Marigold walk up the aisle with such a prize! Just wait! Look down her nose at Maria then, would she? Mrs. Berrisford gloated over the forthcoming sweet satisfaction of glorying over the opposition. She studied him again as he handed Mally her gloves. So slender and fine in these new fashions the gentlemen wore these days. Her smile faltered a little as she glanced down at his tight-fitting cream-colored trousers. That was perhaps a fashion she couldn’t approve of, revealing as it did things which were better not revealed! But still, if a man had the figure to follow such a fashion, then she supposed he was well advised to do just that—for the Lord alone knew what the next foible of the
haut ton
would be—crimson thigh boots and sailors’ hats, no doubt.
    ***
    The crush in Hyde Park was one of the worst Mally could remember. The last one to compare had been on that rainy day when she and Daniel had driven out in the barouche and the axle had broken, causing the very devil of a jam. She smiled to herself, glancing at Chris—but she could not mention that day to him, could she? Not even as an amusing memory.
    She slipped her hand in his and he smiled at her. Just then the carriage come to a standstill and a man on a nervous black horse reined in beside them.
    Chris leaned forward suddenly, opening the carriage door. “Richard! Richard Vallender! You old stoat, where’ve you been all these years?”
    The other turned at the remembered voice and his thin, dark face broke into a grin. “Chris! It takes a jam in Hyde Park to find you again! You’re getting fat with soft living!” He maneuvered his horse closer, his thin body moving as one with the animal.
    Chris laughed. “Fat? Well, we can’t all be human beansticks, can we? Where’ve you been hiding?”
    â€œHere and there.”
    â€œMostly there, no doubt.”
    Richard dismounted and soothed his anxious mount, his glance falling on Mally for the first time. “Won’t you introduce me, Chris? Or are you afraid I’ll snatch her from under your very nose?” He took off his top hat, revealing a mass of thick dark wavy hair.
    Chris raised his eyebrow. “Me? Afraid of your prowess in that direction! That will surely be the day the heavens really do rain cats and dogs! Richard, allow me to introduce my fiancée, Mrs. St. Aubrey. Mally, Richard Vallender, of ill repute.”
    Richard’s eyes swung to her as he heard her name. “St. Aubrey? Not—?”
    Chris nodded. “Daniel’s widow, Richard.”
    â€œBut I had no idea he was dead, nor