The Devil's Own Luck (Once a Spy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

isn’t proper for a young lady her age. It’s just that if a color flatters one, why not wear it? The world can be such a somber place and I don’t see the harm in brightening it up. And the rules in the country are a bit more relaxed than they are in town. Though I suppose they aren’t relaxed enough to allow that type of discretion. Would you care for Ratafia?”
    Rand was having a difficult time keeping up with her prattle and her last question took a moment to register. He barely stopped himself before making a face. Ratafia was a dreadfully sweet and syrupy concoction and he couldn’t imagine why anyone would drink it. “No thank you, my lady.”
    “I’ve noticed that most men don’t seem to care for Ratafia. My nephew won’t touch it. I suppose it’s a lady’s drink. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve even seen a man drink it. Though, I imagine that there are some that do. I think it’s perfectly lovely.” She looked over at Cecelia who was perched on a window seat with her hands folded in her lap. “What about you, my dear?”
    Cecelia smiled politely. “No thank you, Aunt. We’ve just had tea.”
    “You must get terribly lonely marooned like this in your sitting room,” Rand remarked sympathetically.
    “Oh, dreadfully so,” Mirabella responded. “Of course, Cecelia comes to visit every day, but I don’t expect her to keep me entertained all day long. It wouldn’t be fair to make too many demands on her time. She has her own interests to pursue. And my little darlings come to visit as well; though no more than two or three at a time. More than that and they become a little over exuberant and, of course, the servants haven’t the vaguest idea how to make them behave.”
    Rand nodded slowly. “A perfectly sensible idea. And how are the little darlings?”
    She puffed up with pride. “Simply splendid. They’re taking their exercise at the moment. Apollo and Athena are scheduled to visit next. It’s so important that they maintain their routine with everything that has happened. Poor dears had to get over the stress of moving to a different location and then I became laid up. And little Adonis feels so badly about running in front of me. I’ve told him over and over again that it wasn’t really his fault, but I can tell it bothers him terribly.”
    Rand’s lip twitched slightly as he prayed for self control. “Cecelia mentioned that a friend of yours may come to visit. A Mrs. Weathers I believe.”
    “She’s such a delightful person. I’ve only just written. I do hope she can come. In addition to keeping me company, she will be able to accompany Cecelia on her social calls. Poor dear hasn’t been able to go anywhere since I’ve injured my ankle.”
    He glanced over at Cecelia who was now staring out the window, swinging one leg back and forth. “Seems a perfect solution,” he commented.
    She turned her head slowly and met his glance with a murderous glare. “I don’t mind not having a companion at present, Aunt Mirabella. Truly.” Then she smiled at him and he knew he was in trouble. “But have you heard the news, Aunt? It seems Mr. Danfield is no longer Mr. Danfield, but Lord Clarendon. He is now the Marquis of Clarendon. Isn’t that splendid?”
    “Oh, my. Oh, yes. What wonderful news!” she exclaimed. “I had no idea you were in line to inherit.”
    “It was somewhat of a surprise,” he murmured.
    “Such an honor. Of course, you always were a man of great consequence. This is exactly as it should be. There is no one more deserving.”
    “He’s in need of a wife.” Mischief danced in Cecelia’s eyes. “Have you any suggestions Aunt Mirabella? Ophelia Corsairs is husband hunting, I believe.”
    Miss Corsairs was a pinched faced, sharp-tongued spinster who had been husband hunting for the past ten years, to no avail. Even a moderate fortune had not helped