The Belligerent Miss Boynton AND The Lurid Lady Lockport (Two Companion Full-Length Regency Novels) Read Online Free PDF Page A

up for this lack throughout the journey back to Jared's town house in Half Moon Street, launching into a litany of questions and complaints even before he could give the coachman the signal to move off.
    "Who on earth was that atrocious female, Jared? Sally Jersey was positively livid with rage, and was just preparing to demand she retire when the chit finally had the good sense to take herself off. Not that you didn't do your best to hold her there—I saw your hand on her arm, you know. How improper!"
    She punctuated her next words by rapping her ivory-stick fan on his forearm. "And Sally was as ready to bounce you, too, young man. She's furious with you for standing up with that horrid girl. Simply furious ! Whyever did you do such an outrageous thing?" She shook her gray head in dismay. "Never mind answering that. You did it precisely because it was outrageous! Why, oh, why did I force you to come with me tonight? I should have known you could find mischief anywhere, even Almacks. And don't just sit there smiling, Nephew. I ask you again—who was that person?"
    Lady Chezwick was famous for her monologues and it seemed this one would be no exception, if her nephew let her get the bit firmly between her teeth, as she had only just begun her tirade. Jared took his cue when she finally had to stop for breath and broke in quietly, "Her name is Amanda Boynton, my dear, beleaguered Aunt. Sir Roger Boynton's daughter, from Fox Chase."
    Lady Chezwick sniffed. "Her name does not signify." She drew herself up on the velvet squabs of the coach, her small body rigid with righteous anger. "She offended the entire Social World tonight and you— you helped her. I felt ready to sink when you stood up with her. And then to sit and chatter away together like old friends? Why, Honoria thought she must be a relative of ours. Are you dead to all shame, Jared?"
    "Curse the woman. Honoria Appleton was always a snoop and a gossip. Pay her no mind, Aunt, I implore you. And don't blame me for conversing with the girl. She amused me."
    "Amused you? Amused you! How very droll, I'm sure. If you need diversion so badly, Nephew, go to Drury Lane. I hear they are putting on a splendid farce this week. But to make a mockery of Almacks? Oh, how could you?"
    "It was really quite simple, Aunt. I begged her companion for an introduction, asked the girl to stand up with me in the next set, and voilá , the deed was done," Jared supplied cheerfully.
    "Do not try my patience, Nephew," his aunt returned hotly, punishing her nephew's arm with one more reprimanding blow, this one sufficiently forceful as to break two sticks of her fan. She looked at the now useless thing, sniffed, and tossed it to the floor of the coach. "What are you going to do now? Please tell me you're not going to see that shameless creature again. Or are you under the hatches and need an early inheritance from your loving aunt, who will be sent to an early grave by any such scheme?"
    A slow smile lit Jared's face, making his eyes twinkle in the darkness of the coach. "See her, Aggie? Why, I am going to do a great deal more than simply see her. In fact, surprised as I am myself to say it, I actually do believe I may just be forced to marry the brat."
    The words were barely out of his mouth when, for the second time in a single evening, Lord Storm found himself in the position of having to administer aid to a fainting female.

Chapter Two
     
    It had gone almost four hours past midnight before the only sounds from her stepfather's chamber became the nasal snores of his deep, drink-induced slumber. Amanda had been perched on the edge of her bed for what felt like an eternity, and she was stiff and sore from her self-enforced stillness. She had tried stretching out across the bed, but found the position too comfortable, and had to continually shake herself awake. After all, it would not do to fall asleep.
    But now the waiting was over and she could safely leave the house. With stealthy