The Convenient Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

Agatha needed more help in her so-called research. Though
it proved a shaky period in their relationship, with great thought, Agatha had
finally confessed to her involvement with the government and had asked for
Briana's silence. Briana begged to be part of the lady's secret world. The
answer had been an emphatic no.
    But
Agatha saw qualities in Briana similar to those in herself, which Briana,
knowing the soft heart beneath that hard exterior, took full advantage of, and
at a weak moment, the stubborn older lady, had given in to Briana's persistent
requests to be part of Agatha's secret life. What was the difference anyway?
Briana was providing Agatha with answers. This way she was part of the team.
    Of course,
Briana's work for Whitehall was done at home, a desk job of sorts, but Briana
was thrilled. She didn't have access to exactly what was going on. But it
didn't matter if Briana knew only a small piece of the operation. That
momentous time in her life had brought her out of mourning for her father and
sister and into a new world of excitement and intrigue.
    The
lady's black parasol thudded against the carriage floorboard. "For
heaven's sake, child! I am an elderly spinster! I am allowed to do what I want!
Taking care of single females in their delicate time, well, it's simply not
done by another unmarried woman, especially a young female as pretty as you.
The scandal, child."
    Briana
touched her hair. Did the lady ever think that their work with Whitehall was
scandalous? Of course that was secret, but still...
    "For
one thing, I am not pretty. Auburn tresses are not at all the thing."
Briana raised a hand to her nose. "And freckles are considered a sin.
Nothing I do helps."
    "La,
my dear, you are prettier than ever, and you possess a brain most gentlemen
would give their right arm to have."
    "I
have no wish to capture a gentleman's attention," Briana said, wishing the
driver would pick up his pace and hurry to the Elbourne townhouse. The very
idea of finding a husband was beginning to grate on her nerves. Agatha was
becoming more obsessive about the subject every day they were together.
    For the
past few weeks they had been staying in London with Agatha's nephew, Lord Stonebridge,
and Lady Emily. Briana enjoyed her stay at the earl's home, and she especially
loved the children and catching up with Emily, but even Emily had been hinting
about a husband for Briana. And Emily could be quite mischievous if she wanted.
    "My
dear girl," Agatha said, "fading into the walls is all well and good
if you are trying to escape a scandal, but as a lady on the search for a
husband, it won't do at all."
    The
carriage had begun to slow down and Briana was counting the seconds. This was
definitely a subject she did not want to touch. It opened too many wounds. How
could she tell her godmother that allowing herself to love a man would only
cause her pain? The man would eventually leave her, either physically or
emotionally, and that was never going to happen to her again.
    "I
like not being seen, Agatha." It saves me from heartache.
    "I
have noticed that lately, especially this Season. You used to be such a happy
child. Maybe not as outgoing as Emily, but you enjoyed being with people. I
heard Lord Rockham asked you to ride with him in Hyde Park the other day and
you declined."
    Agatha
took Briana's hand in a warm clasp. "What happened to the girl I used to
know?"
    Briana
swallowed, not trusting her emotions. That Briana is dead, she wanted to say.
That Briana was an innocent soul, full of dreams and foolish wishes.
    Emily
was wed to the man she loved, and for her, marriage was wonderful. Jane was
like a daughter to Agatha. She had married Emily's brother, Roderick, the Duke
of Elbourne, and the loving couple were seen everywhere together.
    Briana
closed her eyes. Somehow her friends had found men they could trust. Briana
never would. She just didn't see it happening for her. Trusting a man could be
hazardous to her heart and her freedom.