Free His to Keep (Regency Scoundrels Book 2) by Marly Mathews Page B

are so talented at quite simply take my breath away,” Mallory breathed, giving her a look of completely devoted admiration.
    “Ah, if only I had gone to London. I could be having such a grand time there,” Gemma lamented.
    “Yes, and then you could listen to that claque that surrounds your Duxford’s sister. I swear I don’t know what she has that has given her such a little following of rabid supporters. It makes me sick to my stomach. That woman is as stupid as a badger and has the temperament to match!” Mallory snorted in obvious disgust. “She wasn’t blessed with the brains of a bird.” 
    “Mallory, you are just trying to goad my temper. I will not have it. I’m determined to act like a perfect little lady tonight.”
    “You have to act like it?” Archie chuckled. “From what I have witnessed so far, you rarely behave like a lady of your class.”
    “I agree with Gemma. I do so wish for a peaceful evening,” Elizabeth murmured.
    “Your wish is my command.” Mallory squeezed her hand.
    Gemma sighed, pursing her lips. “Yes, indeed, dear brother. You are an ever-faithful servant of your wife. It is quite a refreshing change in you, since you were so self-centered before you married.” She resisted the urge to smile, and inched away from Archie placing as much distance between them as she possibly could.
    “Your Grace, the evening meal is ready to be served.”
    They all looked up at the butler’s announcement.
    “Well, then, I must say I am ready to tuck in to some of Mrs. Grant’s heavenly concoctions,” Gemma said, sighing.
    Elizabeth looked startled. “I didn’t know you weren’t aware about tonight’s change of plans concerning the meal. I managed to convince Mrs. Grant to take the evening off Seamus has prepared our meal.”
    “Seamus?” Her heart fell. How in the world could a ship’s cook prepare a lavish dinner for them? Her stomach sunk, and she was filled with a determination not to enjoy any of Seamus’s culinary delights. “You can’t be serious. You let that excuse for a cook into the kitchen?”
    “Mrs. Grant was hesitant at first, but I tempted her with a fattening of her wages, and taking the night off proved to be quite rewarding to her. She said she hadn’t had a night off in ages, and that she had some knitting to catch up on.”
    “I’m sure she did. She’s no doubt down in the village getting all of the gossip concerning the latest exploits of the ton in the area, while filling up on her fair share of sherry. That woman knows how to drink more sherry than Lady Carleton.” Gemma snorted. Gemma winced against her acidic tone. She was starting to sound more and more like Duxford’s sister, and she wasn’t entirely certain that she liked that change in her personality.
    “No doubt, you give them quite the fodder for that gossip, Lady Gemma,” Archie said, grinning foolishly.   
    “I don’t care for that at all. Why don’t you try to look good while staying quiet?” she snapped, wincing at her overly harsh tone. Good lord, she really did sound like Philippa.  
    “Oh, I could do that but pray tell where would that leave me when it came to having my share of fun?” The delighted grin Archie wore made her stomach clench.
    She stood up. “I shan’t dignify that with a rebuttal. We should go and see what the Irish has created for us tonight. I just hope I’m able to force it down this throat of mine.”
    “Well, Gemma, take heart, you’ve never had an issue with forcing down food before, if indeed, it started to become a challenge for you now, I would most certainly have cause for concern. We’d have to send for the doctor, for you’d definitely be on your death bed,” Mallory chuckled, delighting in his witty tease. She didn’t care, he could jest all he wanted about her appreciation for food.
    “Mallory, I do believe the old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder was true in your case. I just wish you’d get a hankering for the sea