Tempting Miss Allender (Regency Rakes 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

determined look on his face.
    “It is not your business. Charles, please return to your seat.”
    “No.”
    He made a grab for it, but Patience was quicker, and got to her feet holding it aloft. “Not quite as tall as you boasted, are you, brother?”
    “I, however, am taller than you.” Lucy had snuck up on her, and stole the note away.
    “That could be private!”
    “Is it?” Lucy looked at her before opening it.
    “No.” Patience could never lie to her siblings.
    “It is from Lady Belmont and Claire, inviting us to take tea at the Belmont town house tomorrow, and we are all to go.” Lucy frowned. “Why do you not wish to attend, Patience? They were once friends of ours.”
    The siblings were seated in a small, cozy parlor in the Allender town house, spending the afternoon reading and talking, as they often did in the country. Tea things were scattered about the room, along with Charlie’s footwear, which he had removed earlier.
    “I do wish to attend. I was very fond of the Belmont family. It is just that you have so many engagements, I wondered how we could fit this in also.”
    Patience kept her face expressionless as Lucy studied her. Her reaction to the letter had been because of Mathew, not his mother and sister. She did not want to see him in such an intimate setting. Evenings were somewhat easier, as they were surrounded by people, but a family gathering would be harder.
    “We have time to visit old friends, Patience, and I shall write to Lady Belmont at once to accept.”
    “If you are sure.”
    “Do you know, sister, I think it is Mathew that you are trying to avoid, but as yet I am not sure why.”
    Her sister was far too astute, Patience thought. “I am not. I was merely thinking of you, as I have no wish for you to grow exhausted and ugly. Then my job of finding you a suitable husband will be harder.”
    “Unlike you, I could never be ugly because I have excellent bone structure.”
    “You’re both ugly,” Charles piped in.
    “But, seriously, Patience, we will only go to the Belmonts’ if you wish it,” Lucy said, ignoring her brother.
    “Of course I wish it. I long to see Claire.”
    Lucy smiled, then settled down to reply to the note from Lady Belmont, and Patience sank into a chair and let her thoughts run wild.
    Would Mathew be there? She had thought about him and what had happened after the animal husbandry talk. He had said he wanted friendship with her, but then when Anthony’s name was brought into the conversation he had seemed to change before her eyes. He had rubbed his chest, almost as if the memory of his brother caused him physical pain. How could he want friendship when being near her caused him discomfort? She certainly felt discomfort being near him, but hers was of a different kind.
     
    The Belmont town house was in the smartest part of town, and had six white front steps that the Allender family climbed to reach the front door. Lucy and Charlie were excited, while Patience was looking forward to seeing Claire and Lady Belmont, and hoped Mathew was absent.
    “Good afternoon. We are expected,” Patience said to the butler who opened the door.
    “Of course, Miss Allender. Please allow me to take your things, and then I shall take you to the family.”
    The house was large and grand, with a tiled entranceway leading to a circular stairway. The walls were cerulean blue, with delicate lemon-colored scrollwork around the edges and a large gilt mirror offering new arrivals a glimpse of themselves, to check that their appearance was as it should be.
    After handing over their bonnets, the Allenders followed the butler to the stairs. Paintings of birds and scenery hung at eye level, and their steps were muffled by the soft blue-toned carpets as they climbed. On the second level they found lighter blue walls and several elegant-legged side tables filled with small plates and figurines.
    “Their house in Hampshire had this many ornaments on display. Do you remember,