Waltz With a Stranger Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sprays of lilac and dangling clusters of wisteria filled the air with their intoxicating perfume.
    Amy Newbold blended in perfectly; indeed, she had taken great pains to do so. A little complacently, she smoothed the lavender kid gloves that matched her lavender muslin afternoon dress. Not every lady showed to advantage in lavender, but the color became her admirably well, as did the straw hat trimmed with white and violet flowers. She’d spent a good ten minutes before the mirror getting it positioned at just the right jaunty angle. The perfect ensemble in which to stroll through the gardens—and receive a proposal of marriage.
    She glanced about the garden, seeking Glyndon’s broad shoulders and golden-bronze hair. As Lady Julia’s nephew, he was certain to attend this affair; he’d said as much to her two nights ago at the Eveshams’ ball. And surely, if he were familiar with Havenhurst’s grounds, he must know of some secluded place where they might go to settle things between them. As a matter of fact, he’d made a point of mentioning the Wilderness Garden…
    A few feet away, Aunt Caroline was conversing with Viscountess Ashby and her daughter Harriet, who were both noticeably more cordial this Season, now that Lord Kelmswood was no longer paying court to “that encroaching American girl.” Privately, Amy wished Miss Ashby joy of the earl. Handsome though he was, he’d proven quite dreadfully fickle. She felt a renewed surge of fondness for Glyndon; at least his affections hadn’t changed with the seasons!
    Talking of seasons, would a June wedding be too soon? If not, they could have it in London, at St. George’s, Hanover Square, that church so popular with English aristocrats. Or a September wedding in New York, after everyone was back from Newport. Maybe at St. Thomas’s: fashionable, Anglican, and large enough for a choir of more than fifty strong.
    Yes, the more Amy thought about it, the better she liked the idea. A grand New York wedding—and one in the eye for those stodgy Knickerbocker families who had never been able to decide whether to welcome her and Aurelia because of their father’s name or snub them because of their mother’s money. Too often it had turned out to be the latter.
    Aurelia…Amy’s heart lifted at the thought of her twin. Just one month and they’d be together again. It had been wonderful to see her at Christmas, looking and acting so much more like her old self. Amy would ensure that every door in London was open to her and she had her pick of suitors. A peer would be ideal, though Aurelia had never cared about titles. But someone splendid, nonetheless, who could make her forget all about that stupid Charlie Vandermere!
    Of course, she conceded, that might have to wait until after her own nuptials. But once that was accomplished, surely no one would dare to snub the sister-in-law of a future duke. Pity Glyndon’s younger brother was only a schoolboy, but he might have a cousin who’d be suitable. What a coup it would be if Aurelia could marry into the family too!
    She looked for her ardent suitor again, but failed to find him. Well, perhaps he was running late. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Aunt Caroline still in conversation with Lady Ashby, and a pretty redhead whom she didn’t recognize was now speaking to Miss Ashby. Having already met the people her godmother had most wanted her to meet, Amy saw no reason not to take advantage of her momentary freedom and explore the grounds—the Wilderness Garden, for example. Aunt Caroline, an indulgent chaperon, would not mind as long as she didn’t stay away too long or wander too far afield. And if she happened to come back engaged , Amy thought with a secret smile, her peccadilloes would be forgiven in an instant.
    Catching up her skirts, she hurried across the grass. Paths unrolled in all directions before her, some leading to formal gardens where spring flowers bloomed in exquisitely regimented order, others to