Free A Rogue for All Seasons (Weston Family) by Sara Lindsey Page B

modernizing his estate before setting out to look for a wife.”
    “So far, he sounds too good to be true. Does he have warts on his nose? A passel of incorrigible younger siblings? Is he losing his hair and running to fat?”
    “Nothing of the sort. He has one brother, a little younger than Alex, and a sister still in the schoolroom. As for his looks, Sir Samuel is not, I grant you, the sort to turn ladies’ heads in the street, but he is pleasant looking. I haven’t told you the best part.” She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I mentioned I had a daughter and— Oh, you will never believe his response. He said, ‘My lady, while I’m sure any daughter of yours must be exceedingly lovely, I pray, do not think to match me with a young girl in her first Season. My head is as apt to be turned by a pretty face as the next man, but I want a woman ready to be a wife and mother.’”
    Diana shook her head in disbelief. “Are you certain this paragon is real?”
    “You shall see for yourself when the gentlemen come in.”
    They found a group of empty seats and, before too long, Lord Kelton led in the gentlemen. He stopped to speak with his wife before making his way over to them. Diana looked a question at her mother who shook her head, clearly just as puzzled as to why their host would seek them out. They stood as he neared them.
    “Good evening, ladies.” He bowed, and they curtsied in response. “Lady Linnet, I have come with a message from Sir Samuel. I believe he sat next to you at dinner.”
    “He did. Is everything all right, my lord?”
    “A messenger arrived just as you ladies left us. There is some pressing matter on Sir Samuel’s estate that requires his immediate presence. The poor fellow has not been here a week. What good is a steward, I ask, if he wants your advice every time the roof threatens to cave?”
    Neither Diana nor her mother had a response to that.
    “He has gone upstairs to pack and will leave straightaway,” Lord Kelton continued. “He asked me to impart both his regrets at being called away and his hope of renewing your acquaintance upon his return to London.”
    “Thank you, my lord.” Though her mother kept her voice even, Diana could sense her disappointment. “If you see Sir Samuel before his departure, please convey my wishes for a speedy resolution to his troubles.”
    Lord Kelton promised to relay the message and excused himself. Diana took her seat, unaccountably deflated by the turn of events. In all likelihood, she and Sir Samuel wouldn’t have been a good match, but she felt cheated at not getting the opportunity to meet him and ascertain their unsuitability.
    “It seems fate is already conspiring against you and Sir Samuel,” her mother said with false cheer. “I’m certain this business that takes him away will soon be dealt with, and in the meantime, we must see about having a new dress or two made up for you.”
    Diana bit back a sigh. Her mother believed Sir Samuel was a gallant knight sent to rescue her near-spinsterish damsel-self. “I’m not going to object to new gowns, but please don’t go planning the wedding quite yet. I do not even know the man’s last name.”
    “New gowns? Weddings? I beg your pardon. I was quite shamelessly eavesdropping.”
    Diana looked up to see Henry’s sisters, Lady Dunston and Lady Sheldon.
    “If you are having new gowns done up, you simply
must
go to Madame Bessette,” Lady Dunston continued. “The woman is more than a modiste; she is an artist. She almost never takes on new clients, but she’s very fond of our brother. She says Hal flirts as well as a Frenchman. Once she learns you’ve caught his interest, she will insist on dressing you.”
    Diana’s cheeks burned, and the heat spread over her face and neck. She probably matched Lady Sheldon’s cherry-colored sash. “I’m certain you are mistaken.”
    “Please, may we join you?” asked Lady Sheldon, shooting a hard glance at her sister.