Regency 03 - Deception Read Online Free PDF

away from him.
    Calling Deverell out was not a good idea anyway.
Their friendship might not stand up to such a drastic test. He’d
known the duke’s son since Eton but they had never been very
close.
    Miss Glendenning smiled up at Deverell. Levi shifted
his feet, uncomfortable with his jealousy. But he’d never been one
to hesitate when he wanted something.
    And he wanted her.
    The thought of marrying the saucy Miss Glendenning
was not as frightening as the thought of life with any of the other
ladies upon whom he’d showered his attentions of late.
    One of those very ladies spotted him and moved his
way. He considered running for his life as she was the one chit
that he did not want. Her father had already made it quite plain,
however, that he would favor the match and her dowry was nothing to
scoff at.
    “ Lord Greville, what a delight, to
be sure,” Lady Marigold Danvers enthused brightly.
    Levi bowed. “The delight is mine, I assure you.” As delightful as being shot in the foot…or the knee.
Definitely the knee.
    She giggled and held out her hand. Levi just barely
restrained himself from glancing heavenward and dutifully kissed
the air above the appendage. She giggled again.
    “ Did you see Lady Margaret’s
dress, my lord?” Lady Marigold said from behind her fan. “I do
declare she finds the most untalented modiste in London just
so she can stand out.”
    Since the young lady in question lacked the funds to
frequent the latest modiste favored by the ton , she
made most of her own clothes. Unfortunately, her expertise with a
needle left something to be desired. The lines of the pink gown
were all wrong for her angular and rather bony figure and the color
clashed horribly with her flame red hair. It was also well known
that she would much rather be on a horse than at any ton gathering so she never seemed to care what she looked like.
    She was a very sweet girl, however, with absolutely
no malice or guile in her. Levi had had several occasions in which
to converse with her and had found her quite pleasant to be around.
He thought it was a shame that the gentlemen ignored her just
because she hadn’t the fashion sense God gave a goat.
    He looked down at his companion with something akin
to dislike. He would starve alone in the gutter before he’d marry
such a spiteful cat as Lady Marigold, he swore to himself.
    Then he almost laughed. If Lady Margaret lacked the
fashion sense God gave a goat then Lady Marigold lacked the fashion
sense God gave a flea. The delicate peach color of her gown was
flattering, it was true, but she seemed to think that the more bows
and flounces she could fit into the design the better.
    “ Perhaps I should give her a few
tips,” his little blond companion murmured.
    “ How excessively kind of you, my
lady, to think of those less fortunate than yourself. I am sure she
would appreciate any help you would be willing to give.” Not
bloody likely.
    She giggled. Again. Could the girl make any other
sound? And just when had she decided that giggling all the time
would attract a husband? He remembered a time when she wasn’t
nearly so insipid or stupid. Perhaps losing the illustrious title
of Marchioness of Beverley had convinced her that she was going
about this husband-attracting business all wrong.
    “ My lord Greville, have you
forgotten me?”
    He nearly groaned. “Of course not, my dear Miss
Weatherby. How do you do?” Enter spiteful little cat number
two….
    He bowed over yet another hand while she informed
him that she was excessively well.
    “ Lady Mari and I were just
discussing the merits of certain London modistes ,” he said,
hoping to get the two ladies to chat and give him a chance to
escape. Whose harebrained idea was it for him to find a bride
anyway?
    He seemed to recall Adam saying something to that
effect.
    “ Indeed,” the newcomer drawled as
she cast an experienced eye over Lady Marigold’s ensemble. “And who
do you patronize, my lady? I want to be sure