Suffragette in the City Read Online Free PDF Page B

my aunt directed, eyeing the front of the opera singer’s gown with interest.
    I moved slowly, gritting my teeth and forcing the smile back upon my lips, all the while studiously avoiding tall figure beside my aunt.
    “Lady Sherringham, may I introduce my niece, Cassandra Whitney? My dear, this is Lady Helena St. John, the earl’s sister.”
    I am nothing if not well trained in the standard pleasantries, and thus I duly murmured polite phrases as we all shook hands. The countess’s hand felt cold even through her gloves. Lady Helena, the tall, willowy young woman with hair the color of burnished gold, smiled a genuine smile, and greeted me with obvious pleasure. I liked her at once, and pitied her for having such a cold sister-in-law.
    “And this is Mr. Griffin St. John, the earl’s younger brother.”
    I dreaded looking up into those mocking amber eyes. “Miss Whitney, it is a pleasure.”
    Raising my gaze to his, I offered a firm hand. He took it gravely and bowed over it with only the slightest hint of a smile on his lips. I used the opportunity of daylight to examine his face. He was not handsome by conventional standards, but I decided his features were pleasing overall. The tanned cheeks bespoke time outdoors, while the firm set of his chin, and direct gaze gave him an unmistakable air of a man who was comfortable with himself.
    His eyes, those glittering amber eyes, held an intense regard that challenged, however, and I recognized that he was a man who was not used to having his authority questioned. I found myself lifting my chin in answer to the look.
    With a disarming grin he dropped my hand, and suddenly I noticed the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled, and how charming he could be when he wasn’t spouting nonsense or being generally obnoxious. Then there was the consideration of just what he might look like without his clothes…
    “You are in town long, Miss Whitney?”
    The glacial tones of his sister-in-law ended such enjoyable thoughts.
    “I am. I have lived my life in the country, and thought a change would be pleasant.”
    “Indeed,” she said with frosty grandeur, accepting a cup of tea from Caroline.
    “Lady Helena, would you care to sit on the wine and puce settee? I assure you it is better to have it beneath you than in a position to catch your eye,” I said in a quiet tone, steering her toward the piece of furniture in question.
    Helena giggled, and I chewed over the question of whether or not any of her party was going to mention the fracas of the previous evening to my aunt. Although I was not ashamed of my actions, I had not known at the time that Griffin’s brother was of political importance to my uncle.
    “It wouldn’t have stopped me from speaking to him as I did, though,” I murmured to myself as I took my seat.
    “Pardon?” Helena asked.
    “Oh, nothing. I spent a good deal of my time alone, and thus I have a bad habit of talking to myself. Did you enjoy the Hospital Ball?”
    She chatted merrily away about the ball while I indulged in a bit of subtle interrogation. By the time Emma and the Senora returned, the latter still glaring, I felt it safe to excuse myself and leave Helena to Freddy, who had just wandered over to join us.
    “I’m so sorry that you had to take care of that odious opera singer,” I told Emma, pulling her aside. “Was she too horrid?”
    “Not at all,” Emma answered with a smile that was sent to the Spaniard. “I find her charming, to be honest.”
    “You two seemed to be getting along quite amiably. I had no idea you spoke Spanish.”
    “I don’t,” she said simply, then laughed at my look of confusion, and nodded toward Freddy and Helena. “She’s lovely. Is that the important countess?”
    “Her sister. Her name is Helena, and she’s twenty-one years old.”
    “Mmm, a bit young, but still delectable, with a delicate complexion that gives her the appearance of a fragile china doll, all sweetness and no vices. Pity.