Free Major Lord David by Sherry Lynn Ferguson Page B

horse! At the
New Year.”
    “I shouldn’t have done so. The color of her hair put me in mind of it, that is all.” David’s gaze drifted again to that dark
chestnut head. “And I like to watch her walk.”

    “Walk?”
    “Yes. She’s most graceful, yet assured. She has no fear.”
    “Even I have some fears, David.”
    “And it shows in your walk.”
    Myles promptly and surreptitiously elbowed him, a hard jab
that might easily have toppled him. But David held his place.
    “In all seriousness, Myles,” he whispered. “I must have a decision from her-if not tonight, then soon. I had no interest in
moving on to Vienna with Wellington; I’ve no taste for diplomacy. Either I rejoin the regiment or sell up and head home”
    “You were always one for doin’ and rushin’ about. Perhaps
you ought to stand for this energetic Parliament.” But Hayden
sobered as he listened to May Sanders pluck dutifully upon
her harp. “I’ve mentioned before that Father wants you home.
And nothing would please Grandmere more than if you were
to skip off to Scotland with Miss Billie-and promise her a
great-grandchild.”
    “Grandmere would be even more pleased were you to
marry.”
    Hayden shook his head. “I am incapable of pleasing her.”
    “Au contraire. You are the one most capable of pleasing her.
But you are also the least inclined to do so.”
    The Marquis of Hayden had no response. Since David knew
he had simply stated the truth, he did not refine upon it. So
much of what Grandmere had said to him and to his cousin
Chas in the past year had evidenced her frustration over Hayden’s apparent apathy. One did not fret so if one did not care
very much indeed.
    May Sanders finished her ordeal. Before the next performer, a young lady whose complexion defiantly challenged
her pink gown, could be prevailed upon to leave the safety of
her seat, Charis Athington was up out of her own-and rather too obviously and playfully importuning Billie Caswell to
seek the stage. Billie was shaking her bright head.

    “Egad! We can’t have that, can we?” Hayden observed with
a wince. “Will you not intervene?”
    David smiled and declined. With a disgusted sigh, Hayden
moved as though to leave the room.
    “Do stay, Myles.” David put a hand on his brother’s sleeve.
“I’ll wager she’ll surprise us all. Or if not, ‘twill be worth it to
watch her brazen it out”
    “You would let the girl be embarrassed? That is clearly
Athington’s aim.”
    “I do not expect Miss Caswell to be embarrassed.”
    “You act as though she is your pet.”
    “No” David followed Billie’s progress as she made her way
to the piano. “But I am proud of her.”
    Billie did not appear in the least flustered; instead she looked
thoughtful, as though she silently reviewed her repertoire of
possible pieces. David did not miss the expression on Charis
Athington’s face. Despite the spoiled beauty’s evident intention, despite her anticipation, David thought Charis destined
to be disappointed.
    Even as he thought it, Charis sent him a sly, sidelong
glance. David quickly looked to the piano.
    “What do you think of the Misses Sanders and Athington?”
he asked Hayden softly.
    “Ah, Miss Sanders-the pocket Venus” Hayden quizzed
golden-haired May with his glass. “So petite and prettily
packaged-with no room left for a heart. And the elegant
Miss Athington-of the dark eyes and sharp tongue…. She
is known to be very hard on a fella.” He dropped his glass and
glanced at David. “I hear they dance well,” he conceded.
    David stifled a laugh. “I should have guessed you would not
be entranced”
    Myles acknowledged that with a tilt of his head. “You understand, then,” he whispered as Billie began to play, “why
I remain fancy-free.”

    Billie had chosen Bach, a short but difficult prelude. Though
David had guessed at her proficiency, he was still pleasantly
surprised. Her rendition was far from a simple