The Ideal Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

she’d met while in town during the Season, had proceeded to sing Michael’s praises.
     
      That, Caro had had to admit, sounded suspicious. Not because Michael wasn’t perfectly praiseworthy, but because Geoffrey had sought to point that out.
     
      Edward, too, had had doubts over   Elizabeth ’s conjecture, but stopping in London on their way down, he’d dropped in on certain friends, like him aides and secretaries to the politically powerful. What he’d learned had brought him home pale and tense. The whispers had it that Michael Anstruther-Wetherby had been put on notice for a cabinet position; part of that notice concerned his marital status and the suggestion he alter it by autumn.
     
      Caro had delayed another day in town, long enough to pay a morning call on Michael’s formidable aunt, Harriet Jennet. They’d spoken political hostess to diplomatic hostess; Caro hadn’t even had to broach the subject—Harriet had seized the opportunity to drop a word in her ear regarding Michael’s interest in   Elizabeth .
     
      That had been more than confirmation enough. Matters were, indeed, as serious as   Elizabeth   had supposed.
     
      Caro shifted her gaze to her niece. She herself had been a diplomatic bride, a young and innocent seventeen-year-old swept off her feet by the supremely polished attentions of an older—in her case much older—man. She, admittedly, had had no other love in her life, but not for the world would she wish such a marriage on any other young girl.
     
      Although she’d never known love herself, she had every sympathy for   Elizabeth   and Edward. It was in her household in Lisbon they’d first met; she’d never encouraged them, but to her mind that also meant not opposing them. If love was to be, it would be, and in their case, it had indeed grown. They’d remained steadfast for more than three years, and neither showed any sign of wavering in their affection.
     
      She’d already been thinking of what she might do to further Edward’s career, at least to the point that he could offer for   Elizabeth ’s hand. That, however, was not a matter for today. Michael’s prospective offer had to be dealt with first. Now—immediately.
     
      “You have to understand,” she explained, “that once Michael makes an offer, it will be much harder to get him to withdraw it, and harder still for you, placed as you are, your father’s daughter, to refuse it. Our wisest course therefore is to ensure the offer is never made, and that means changing Michael’s mind.”
     
      His brown eyes serious, Edward looked at   Elizabeth . “I agree. It’s by far the best way—the tack most likely to succeed with least damage to all.”
     
      Elizabeth   met his gaze, then glanced at Caro. Then sighed. “Very well. I concede you’re right. So what must I do?”
     
      Caro smiled encouragingly. “For tonight, we must concentrate on raising the question of your suitability in his mind. We don’t need to repulse him all at once, but simply make him pause and consider. However, whatever we do can be neither overt nor obvious.‘’
     
      Imagining the possibilities, she narrowed her eyes. “The key to manipulating the opinions of a gentleman like Michael Anstruther-Wetherby is always to be subtle and circumspect.”
     
       
     
      Chapter 2
     
      Michael climbed the steps of Bramshaw House at ten minutes past eight that evening. Catten, the butler, knew him well; he conducted him to the formal drawing room and announced him, then deferentially stepped back. Michael walked into the long room, into a fractional pause in the buzz of conversation, smiling easily as eyes, then smiles came his way.
     
      Engaged with a group about the fireplace, Caro saw him. Pausing a few paces inside the room, he waited while she disengaged and came to greet him, the skirts of her oyster silk gown softly shushing.
     
      “My savior!” Smiling, she gave him her hand; when he