Free Wallflower (Old Maids' Club, Book 1) by Catherine Gayle

that Toby could be involved with was
placing bets in the books at White’s. Blast the oily weasel, he was
going to ruin her plans! If she didn’t know better, she might think
he was aware of her intentions for his downfall.
    There was no time to confront him,
however. Almost as soon as he arrived, Toby made his
escape.
    Jo smiled at Lord Leith. If she felt
any of Tabitha’s misgivings about Toby’s behavior, she hid it well.
“That is very kind of you, my lord.”
    Kind, indeed. Tabitha half-suspected
the earl of a hidden agenda.
    Her half-suspicion turned into full
suspicion a mere moment later, when Lord Leith smiled back at Jo,
then turned to Tabitha and Miss Jennings. “I do apologize, ladies,
but might I trouble you for a moment, Miss Faulkner? There is
something I must discuss with you. It truly cannot
wait.”
    Jo didn’t hesitate even for a moment.
“Of course,” she said with a brisk nod. She placed her hand on his
arm and they were gone before Tabitha could decipher what had just
happened.
    She’d thought she was going to
introduce Miss Jennings to her brother and have them pair off for
the evening. She’d thought Jo would remain at her side and help her
determine the best ways of going about it. But Toby had run off,
and Lord Leith had absconded with Jo, and now Tabitha was all alone
with the debutante.
    “ Your family is quite
affable, Lady Tabitha,” Miss Jennings said moments later. “And
rather large, it would seem. I believe I met your other brother and
his wife last night. Lord and Lady Raynesford? Lord Devonport was
kind enough to make our introductions at Lady Kirkaldy’s
musicale.”
    Tabitha flinched and tried to hide it.
“Lord Devonport? I didn’t realize he would be there.” Not that it
should matter. Lord Devonport’s social engagements ought to have no
bearing on Tabitha’s demeanor, yet for some reason, she felt
affronted that he’d not mentioned his plans.
    It irked her to no end that the mere
mention of his name coming from this young slip of a thing’s lips
would rankle so. The idea that she had a reaction at all was even
more of an effrontery than the reaction itself. Lord Devonport owed
her no explanations. He owed her nothing at all.
    Miss Jennings smiled wistfully. “Yes,
he was there. In fact, he sat with my mother and me for about half
of the performance. I do believe he might call upon me sometime
soon.” She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “I certainly
hope I’m right about that. He’s quite handsome, wouldn’t you
agree?”
    “ Yes, of course,” Tabitha
spluttered. Too handsome by half. Devilishly so. So handsome, it
oughtn’t to be a surprise to her that he might pay court to a
lovely young debutante such as the one standing before her. They
would make a handsome couple—certainly more handsome than Lord
Devonport would look alongside Tabitha. Not that he ever would be.
She ought to be pleased for him. For them both.
    But then why did she suddenly wish
Miss Jennings’s perfect English-rose complexion would break out in
a pox? She tried to force such thoughts from her mind. “I’m sure
he’ll call on you tomorrow. The next day at the very latest.” He
certainly wouldn’t be calling on Tabitha any time soon. Perhaps
he’d pay a visit to Owen and Elaine, or visit with little Lily, or
maybe even Toby. But not Tabitha.
    “ Do you really think so?”
The younger girl fairly flushed at the prospect.
    “ Yes. Yes, I do. And
you’ll have to tell me all about it afterwards.” Tabitha might have
even managed saying such a thing without revealing herself for the
liar she was. In the meanwhile, Tabitha would have to remind
herself that she was an old maid. By choice. And glad of
it.
    Even if it hurt.

Chapter Five
     
    The clip-clopping hooves of the pair
leading Noah’s barouche through Hyde Park fairly echoed from the
silent lack of conversation. Twice he had already chastised himself
for his surprise over Lady Cressica’s seeming inability to