Free The Hopeless Hoyden by Margaret Bennett Page A

see, Harry, it is all in the wrist, though I will admit to applying a little elbow in order to get the same effect as Tom."
                  With both Chesterfield and Gabriel studying her movements, Emily demonstrated the technique.  Her line sailed out across the water, the hook skimming the surface twice before sinking mid stream.
                  Chesterfield asked to see another demonstration, and Emily cheerfully complied, explaining in detail every move.  Though the Viscount said nothing, he, too, watched her closely.
                  “I must admit, Emily," Gabriel said at last, "I am impressed.  You baited your own hook."
                  “Oh pooh!  T’is nothing."  Emily grinned impishly.  “Though Sally Harrow nearly had a fit last year when I grabbed her line and put a night crawler on it at Squire Stratton's harvest festival."
                  Gabriel laughed.  "Yes, I can imagine.  Baiting hooks is not the unusual custom for most young ladies of Quality."
                  “It wasn't that at all.  Miss Harrow was miffed because she was hoping my brother would do it.  Fortunately, Tom showed more sense than to moon over a half wit like Sally."
                  Freddy, who'd been threading a worm on Jane's hook, nodded his head.  "Know how it is.  Always some female after a fellow.  Ain't safe anywhere, you see.  Feel like a fish myself sometimes.  'Course, present company excepted," he quickly added with an apologetic smile for both the ladies.
                  Jane appeared tongue tied by the baron's forthrightness, but not Emily.  "Oh, think nothing of it, Lord Fordyce--"
                  "Freddy."
                  "Freddy.  In the ordinary sense of things, you are quite right.  After all, one only has to think of London and Almack's."  Seeing the baron's plump form actually shudder at the mere mention of the ton ’s exclusive social club, Emily added, “You can rest easy around Jane and me."
                  Fresh lines were dropped and although the fish appeared to have quit biting, everyone’s mood was so bright that it little matter.  In fact, on the stroll back to the house an hour later, Freddy confessed he was glad the ladies had shown up to enliven the morning.
                  “Ain't your usual types," he added with a meaningful nod in the direction of the house.
                  While Jane blushed, Emily took the off-handed compliment in stride.  "Well, naturally we are not.  Neither of us has set a cap for a husband.  You cannot imagine how dreadful it is to be under the cat's paw, everyone expecting you to nab an eligible parti ."
                  “So you say," Chesterfield challenged.  "But if you go by the actions of society as a whole, Miss Pendleton,--"
                  “Call me Emily, or Em, if you please."
                  “Right you are, Em."  Chesterfield grinned appreciatively.  "The sole purpose of the Marriage Mart is to see every last male leg shackled."
                  Emily sagely nodded her head.  "Yes, it does appear to be society’s wish.  But consider what happens to a lady with an independent income who does not want a husband?  Her relatives will force her into marriage because some gentleman needs her funds or a brood mare to produce an heir.”
                  Gabriel shook his head.  "It's not as Gothic as all that, Emily.  There are a lot of marriages where the husband and wife rub along quite nicely."
                  “Still, the fact remains that not every girl wishes to marry.  If a girl chooses to lead her own life, she is tagged an ape leader."
                  “'Tain't natural, that's what."  Freddy's brow was creased from such heavy cogitation.  "All women want to be mothers.  Take Eve."  When