Free How to Impress a Gentleman by Allie Borne Page B

the sultry adaptations.”
    “No frills, no neck line at all, why they will just die!” She whispered in ecstatic anticipation. “I simply explained that I intended to wear the dress after my nuptials and the seamstress seemed placated. This is my way of reminding Aiden and my mother that they may have their way in some regards but I am and will remain my own person.”
    “And just how do you plan to remind us?” inquired Aiden, glancing at Charlotte with a touch of asperity.
    “Oh, you know, by redecorating Derbyshire, Aiden. I’ve told you I’d like free reign in that regard and you have been most accommodating.” Aiden searched Charlotte’s face, distrusting, but soon turned his attention back to Charles and their discussion of stud horses.
    Lindsay chuckled, well entertained. “How is it that we have never gotten on before this day, Charlotte? It seems we are well matched.”
    “Precisely, before this day, we were too well matched, while unattached, that is. So, what were we to be but one another’s competition? Now that we are practically settled old matrons, we are free to socialize as we see fit. My Mama can’t help but approve. You see,” she nodded at her mother who sat regaling Lindsay’s grandmother with some tale from her youth.
    “I do. It just seems so unnecessary. The competition.”
    “Yes, well my mother thrives on competition. I am just relieved that now it will come in the more benign form of who has more grandchildren and whether my gowns remain in the first stare of fashion. I don’t deal well in dabbling with other’s personal lives.”
    “Yes, I quite agree. I hope your mother will remain focused upon your successes, Charlotte. Shall we gather up and head back? I see gray clouds in the distance.”
    “Please, let’s. I would rather not be seen looking like a drowned rat.”
    ~ ~ ~
    After returning from the picnic, all the women retired to their bed chambers to rest. Lindsay could hardly have stayed with the men without attracting undue attention, so she ascended the stairs to her mother’s old bed chamber.
    The suite was much unchanged, other than the fact that the bed was neatly made and the furniture properly polished. Lindsay had gathered up her mother’s books and placed them in her own room the day she’d been taken away.
    Rubbing her mother’s ring distractedly, Lindsay walked over to the large window and peered out at the clear blue sky. Squinting, she imagined she could see all the way to London from which her mother’s soul had flown.
    “Watch over her, Aunt Lindsay,” she sighed, turning from the window and making her way out to the stables, to see if Harry might take her for the ride he’d promised. The sun shone beautifully and she couldn’t help but turn her face up to it, soaking in its loving caresses. It was there, in front of the stable door, lost in pleasant ecstasy, that she over heard the conversation between Aiden and Charles.
    “It seems, then that you are well and truly hooked. You could not have planned this scenario any better, had you tried.”
    Laughing, Charles agreed. “Yes. I cannot wait to see the look upon that bastard, Sir Richard’s face when I lay claim to his daughter and demand a hefty dowry for the inconvenience.”
    Aiden, too, laughed, full of mirth. “To think he has gone out of his way to rid his daughter of your presence, and now he will pay to give you power over her. Quite ironic, I say. What does Lindsay think of this?”
    “Lindsay will have to come to terms with the truth. I am in need of a dowry and a biddable wife. I may have my hands full dealing with Lindsay, but because of her father’s betrayal, I can demand a sizable dowry up front. It is a convenient and satisfying conclusion.”
    “And Lindsay is aware of all of this?”
    “Which part? My scheming to force the match, or my lack of funds? She is aware of none of it. She will discover our arrangement soon enough.”
    Sickened by the unsought revelations,