NOT JUST A WALLFLOWER Read Online Free PDF

snapped. ‘Your grandfather and I loved each other dearly. As did your father and mother.’
    Yes, and it was the example of that deep love his parents had for each other that had made Justin so leery of entering into matrimony himself; he could not bear even the thought of ever loving a woman so deeply, so intensely, that his own offspring suffered because of it.
    He suppressed a shudder. ‘I believe you may be expecting too much for Eleanor to secure such a love in her own marriage.’
    ‘We will not know until you try,’ his grandmother insisted.
    ‘And how do you propose I go about doing that?’ He gave a rueful shake of his head.
    ‘As Ellie’s closest male relative—yes, I know you’re about to say that technically you’re not really related to her at all—you might perhaps commence by accompanying her to—to a musical soirée or two, perhaps, in order that you might introduce her to these eligible if financially bereft young gentlemen of your acquaintance?’
    ‘I—you expect me to attend musical soirées? ’ Justin stared at his grandmother incredulously as he once again rose to his feet out of sheer incapability to know what to do next; indeed, he was starting to feel like that toy he’d had as a child which had popped out of the box when the lid was lifted! ‘I believe your current indisposition has addled your brain, Grandmama!’ He shook his head. ‘I do not attend music soirées or balls in the normal course of events, let alone with the intention of marrying off my young stepcousin to some unsuspecting gentleman!’
    ‘But there is nothing to say that you could not make the exception in these special circumstances, is there?’ she insisted defiantly.
    ‘No, of course there is not. But—’
    ‘It would make me very happy if you were to do so, Justin.’
    He narrowed suddenly suspicious blue eyes on the supposedly frail figure of his grandmother as she once again lay back, so small and vulnerable-looking against those snowy white pillows. ‘I thought it was Cousin Eleanor’s happiness which was your first and only concern?’
    ‘It is.’ Edith’s eyes snapped her irritation at his perspicacity. ‘And I can think of no better way to secure that happiness than you publicly acknowledging Ellie as a favoured cousin.’
    ‘A favoured cousin of such low social standing she has been in your own employ this past year,’ he reminded her drily.
    ‘I very much doubt that any of the ton would make the connection between that mousy young woman and Miss Eleanor Rosewood, the elegant and beautiful cousin of the Duke of Royston.’
    He very much doubted the truth of that claim, in regard to the gentlemen in society, at least; he, for one, had certainly taken note of Eleanor’s understated beauty!
    ‘And even if they did,’ Edith continued firmly, ‘none would dare to socially cut or slight Ellie whilst she is seen to be under your protection.’
    On that subject Justin did agree. But the cost to himself, of being forced into the tedium of attending what was left of the Season, was surely too much to expect of him? His grandmother did not seem to think so...
    ‘I am to host the Royston Ball in four days’ time and you are always gracious enough to make an appearance on that occasion,’ his grandmother reminded him.
    ‘The ball may have to be cancelled if you are still feeling so fatigued,’ he said slyly.
    ‘That will not happen during my lifetime!’ the dowager duchess assured him imperiously. ‘The Royston Ball has taken place for the past hundred years and this year shall be no different, not even if I have to spend the evening sitting in my Bath chair overseeing events,’ she continued determinedly.
    ‘And you seriously intend to introduce Eleanor into society that evening?’
    She gave a haughty inclination of her head. ‘As a guest in my home she will naturally attend.’
    ‘And you expect me to act as her escort for the evening?’
    ‘As her guardian, perhaps, which would be