Free Stephanie Laurens Rogues' Reform Bundle by Stephanie Laurens Page A

then.”
    â€œNo, no. It’s working now.” Lenore cast a desperate glance at Eversleigh, praying he would behave himself and depart.
    To her relief, he swept her a graceful bow. “I’m pleased to have been of assistance, my dear. If you have any other difficulties that are within the scope of my poor abilities to cure, pray feel free to call on my talents.”
    Lenore’s eyes narrowed. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
    Jason smiled, his wolf’s smile, and turned to the door. On the threshold, he paused, glancing back to see Lenore close her account book and lay it aside, then draw a pile of menus towards her.
    â€œMiss Lester?”
    Lenore looked up. “Yes, Your Grace?”
    A long finger pointed at the corner of her desk. “Your spectacles, my dear.”
    Swallowing a curse, Lenore grabbed the delicate frames and arranged them on her nose, then glanced up, but her tormentor had gone.
    â€œNow. For lunch I’d thought to have…”
    Stifling a wholly unexpected sigh, Lenore gave her attention to Mrs. Hobbs.
    An hour later, she was staring out of the window, her account book open before her, the ink dry on her nib, when Amelia’s head appeared around the door.
    â€œThere you are! I’d despaired of finding you.”
    Lenore returned her cousin’s bright smile, laying aside her pen as Amelia crossed the room to subside into the armchair before the desk in a froth of apricot muslin. “I take it last evening passed without incident?”
    Amelia waved the question aside. “You were right. They’re a perfectly manageable lot. All except Eversleigh. I wouldn’t care to have to manage him. But His Grace had taken himself off somewhere. Truth to tell, I retired early myself.” She turned to look at Lenore. “I looked for you but couldn’t find you anywhere.”
    Lenore shut her account book with a snap. “I was detained on the terrace.”
    â€œOh? By what?”
    â€œA discussion of the relative merits of present and past civilisations, as I recall.”
    Amelia grimaced. “One of your dry discussions, I take it?”
    Calmly sorting her papers, Lenore did not respond.
    â€œAnyway, you’ll be pleased to know I took care of one of your hostessly chores for you.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œThe Melton sisters. They had quite worn down poor Mr. Marshall; I had to rescue him. And that reminds me.” Amelia swung about, bright brown eyes dancing. “I’ve discovered why Eversleigh’s here!”
    Lenore’s hands stilled. “Why?” she asked, hoping Amelia would not detect the breathlessness that had laid siege to her voice.
    â€œMr. Marshall told me that Eversleigh is dreading the prospect of facing all the matchmaking mamas. I do believe he’s here rusticating, recouping his energies before returning to town and facing his fate. He’s got six aunts, you know.”
    â€œYes, I know,” Lenore murmured, her thoughts elsewhere. When Amelia turned an enquiring gaze on her, she added, “They’re friends of Harriet’s.” Lenore cleared her throat. “What sort of woman do you think Eversleigh will marry?”
    â€œA diamond of the first water,” Amelia promptly declared. “Whoever of the latest lot fills that description and is suitably connected. It’s what’s expected, after all. And, for once, Eversleigh seems intent on fulfilling expectations.”
    Lenore nodded and sank into silence.
    After a few moments, her expression pensive, her fingers pleating the ribbons of her gown, Amelia asked, “Tell me, do you know much of Mr. Marshall?”
    The question drew Lenore from her own thoughts to gaze in surprise at her friend. “Just how long did it take to rescue him last night?”
    Amelia blushed. “Well, I couldn’t just leave the poor man—he was parched for entertainment. Those Melton girls might be very pretty, but