Free The Bridal Quest by Candace Camp Page B

"Flatterer."
    He was silent for a moment, scanning the room with her. Then he said, "Why do you suppose he singled her out?"
    "I don't know. I wonder how he even knew who she was. I suppose he must have seen her somewhere and been struck by her. She is quite attractive in her own way."
    "She could be stunning if she made a bit of effort," Sir Lucien agreed. "I suppose he could have enough eye for beauty to see that." He paused, then went on drily, "Do you suppose his infatuation will outlast a stroll on the terrace with her?"
    "I don't know. That is why I am looking for them. I do hope he does not cry off immediately. The more I thought about the matter, the more I realized that Lady Irene would be an excellent match for him."
    "Indeed?"
    Francesca nodded. "Obviously he is for some reason already interested in her. And she would suit Lady Odelia's requirements. Her lineage is excellent on both her mother's and her father's sides."
    "Old Lord Wyngate was something of a rogue," Sir Lucien objected.
    "Yes, but his scandalous behavior has never reflected badly on Lady Irene, or her mother and brother," Francesca pointed out. "And certainly she has the strength of will to make the man presentable, if any woman can."
    "And the wit to hide the faults she cannot change," Sir Lucien added.
    "Yes. And, most importantly, Irene can hold her own with Lady Odelia. She will not allow the old woman to ride roughshod over her."
    "As we all know she will try to do."
    "Naturally," Francesca agreed. "And I think, from what I have seen of him, it might require some strength of character to deal with the earl himself, as well."
    "Really?" Sir Lucien turned toward her, intrigued. "I assumed he was, well ..." He shrugged.
    "Under Lady O's thumb?"
    Sir Lucien nodded.
    "I think not. When he came into the room, he seemed ... a trifle rough around the edges, I suppose, but not intimidated in the slightest. In fact, when I looked at Lady Odelia, it occurred to me that perhaps
she
was a little wary of
him."
    "Well, well ... That would be a first," Sir Lucien mused.
    "I thought as much myself. He seemed to be going along with her plan but not obeying her, if you see what I mean. Oh, wait." Francesca straightened, reaching up to grasp Sir Lucien's sleeve. "There she is. Oh, dear. She does not look at all pleased."
    Lucien looked in the direction of her gaze and saw Irene. She had just entered through the open doors onto the terrace, and she was now striding through the crowd of people, her back ramrod straight. She did not glance to either side as she walked. Her jaw was set, her face flushed, and there was a furious light in her eyes. He noticed that people stepped out of her way as she approached.
    "I would not say it went well," he murmured to Francesca.
    She sighed. "No, I fear not."
    Francesca glanced aside and saw that the Duke of Rochford was making his way toward her from the direction of the card room. "Now what?" she muttered.
    Sir Lucien glanced over at her and then toward the duke. He chuckled. "It could be worse. It could be Lady Pencully."
    Francesca rolled her eyes in her friend's direction. "Curse your tongue, Lucien. Now she is certain to appear."
    Lucien smothered a laugh and said to the approaching duke, "Rochford. Dear fellow. Pleasure, as always, to see you."
    "Sir Lucien. Lady Haughston." Rochford stopped beside Francesca, nodding to them both. "I must say, my lady, you do not look at all pleased."
    Francesca gave the man a frosty look. "That depends on whether you brought Lady Pencully with you."
    "No, I did not, I am pleased to say," Rochford replied. Then he smiled faintly and added, "However, I do believe that I saw her in the card room a moment ago."
    "So that is why you left it," Francesca retorted sourly.
    "But of course," Rochford admitted without a trace of guilt. "You may think yourself reluctant to see her, but you do not have the misfortune to be tied to her by blood. If you were, you would know just how craven you could