Free A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior by Suzanne Enoch Page A

bandages around his knee, Tolly reviewed his options. Stephen would never ask him to leave James House if he returned there, so he supposed he could make it clear that he wanted to be left alone—or as alone as he could be, considering that half the time he couldn’t pull off his own boots.
    As for the rest of it, he wasn’t ready to see his leg gone. Nor was he certain, though, that he wanted to risk additional time in a sickbed for the same eventual outcome. Whatever he truly did deserve was likely to come about with or without his assistance. At the same time, he couldn’t help thinking if he didtake another chance, a certain irritating young lady would want to dance with him.
     
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grandmama,” Theresa said, not bothering to hide her grin. “That hat is absolutely magnificent.”
    Grandmama Agnes reached up to finger the brim of the ostrich feather-topped monstrosity, then reached across the carriage to rap Michael on the knee. “Your sister is a much better liar than you are.”
    “Clearly not, if you didn’t believe either of us. Why did you purchase the silly thing, anyway? It looks like a mossy, half-sunk schooner.”
    “I think it more resembles the chimney tops of Hampton Court,” Theresa countered, laughing outright now.
    “I bought it because I saw Lady Dalloware fondling it, and I can’t abide that woman and her wagging tongue.”
    “Well, I hope she attends the party tonight, or you’ll have to wear it a second time.” Michael pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open. “Tell me again why we’re stopping at James House? We won’t all fit in one carriage, anyway, so I don’t see the point.”
    “We’re going because Amelia wants to borrow my pearl ear bobs,” Theresa replied, “and she can’t very well put them on after she arrives at the Ridgemonts’.”
    “Ah. As long as it’s something vital.”
    “Young man, you have no idea,” their grandmother noted. “Will I finally get to set eyes on the viscount’s younger brother, do you think?”
    Theresa’s heart accelerated for a beat or two. “I doubt it,” she supplied, keeping her voice light and uncaring. “He doesn’t reside with them.”
    “Damned unpleasant fellow, anyway.” Michael frowned briefly. “He was crippled in India, you know.”
    “I’d heard something about that. Poor man. Young Violet always seemed very fond of him.”
    “He’s not dead, for heaven’s sake,” Theresa put in. “He’s merely injured and a bit…direct.”
    “Direct like a musket ball.” Her brother squinted one eye at her. “Why are you defending him, Troll?”
    “I’m not. You described him incorrectly, and I corrected you. Aside from that, you shouldn’t gossip about someone behind his back.”
    “Is that in your guide?”
    “I’m going to write a second one, I think. It’s going to go in there.”
    The coach stopped in front of James House, and a footman and the butler emerged to help them onto the drive and see them into the drawing room upstairs. “Lord and Lady Gardner will be with you shortly,” the butler droned, and exited.
    “He seems in a lather, doesn’t he?” Grandmama Agnes observed.
    “If Leelee takes as long to dress now as she used to when she resided with us, I can see why.” Michael strolled over to the liquor tantalus to pour himself half a glass of brandy.
    “Ha ha.” Theresa dug the pearl ear bobs out of her reticule. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
    “If she hasn’t selected a dress yet,” her brotherdrawled after her, “send down a shout and I’ll go out to White’s for dinner while we wait.”
    “I think I’m going to tell Amelia how many cravats you and Mooney ruined tonight attempting that ridiculous knot around your neck.”
    “It’s the new fashion, Troll.”
    Laughing, Theresa climbed the stairs and turned down the hallway leading along the north-facing wing of the house. She went slowly; she’d only been in James House a