Free The Counterfeit Betrothal by April Kihlstrom Page B

take grave exception to any slur cast upon her character?”
    Both men stared at one another, neither willing to give way. In exasperation Hastings told Jeremy, “Oh, do give over! They will meet Miss Delwyn soon enough and see for themselves. You do her a discredit when you act as though she cannot speak for herself.”
    Jeremy turned to his friend and demanded wearily, “Why is it that I tolerate you, Hastings? You are most unlike my other companions.”
    “Praise God for that!” Edward replied coolly. “As for why you tolerate me, you have no choice. Miss Delwyn is staying at m’mother’s house, remember?”
    “Your mother’s house?” Petersham demanded.
    Suddenly everyone’s interest had been aroused. Mutters of “That makes a difference, indeed!” could be heard in the background.
    As though unaware of the whispers, Hastings replied calmly, “Come, Jeremy, I believe we are engaged to play cards this evening. And before that I wish to dine.”
    Arm in arm, the two friends left the room apparently oblivious to the consternation they left behind. They did not, however, in the end play cards. Instead, after more than enough wine, Jeremy Barnett angrily dragged his friend along to a certain house in St. John’s Woods. “Are you sure this is wise?” Hastings asked doubtfully. “If your father—”
    “My father is precisely the reason we are going there,” Jeremy said coldly. “Even he would not expect me to give up my mistress without telling her so myself.”
    “Give up your mistress?” Hastings choked. “Here, I say, isn’t that going a bit far?”
    Jeremy met his friend’s eyes coolly. “As I told Miss Delwyn, I mean to give my father no cause for complaint in the next few weeks. And he would have complaint were it to get out and about I was visiting my mistress while Emmaline was in town. Besides,” he said with a wry smile, “my current situation no longer allows of my paying Daphne’s expenses. It is only fair to free her to take on a protector who can. What about you, Edward?”
    Hastings looked affronted. “No offense, old fellow, but you know I’ve never much liked the woman. Delightful as she is, of course.”
    Jeremy bowed ironically. “Any further objections?” he asked.
    “None.”
    “Good. Do you mean to accompany me, then, or will you leave me to face her, er, temper alone?”
    “Oh, very well, I’ll come with you,” Hastings grumbled good-naturedly. “Though mind, only if you do indeed mean to break with her.”
    “I do, Hastings, I do,” came the maddeningly calm reply.

 
    8
    Word soon spread that Jeremy Barnett’s fiancée was in London and staying with Mrs. Hastings. That lady, never a recluse, found herself inundated with callers, all curious to see her young houseguest. It was a circumstance she accepted with great equanimity.
    “It is only human nature,” she told Emmaline calmly. “Just as it is human nature to be spiteful should they find anything in you to dislike—so have a care, my dear. Not that I think you need worry. It is also human nature to be delighted to see such a fellow as Jeremy Barnett captured at last. Besides, if you recollect all that I have taught you these past few days, the ton should find nothing to fault in you.”
    Which was no more than the truth, Emmaline, thought wryly as her maid put the finishing touches to her toilette and she prepared to go downstairs. Mademoiselle Suzette had done a superb job in outfitting Emmaline for her come out , and both Mrs. Hastings and Jeremy were doing their best to polish her manners for the ton —not that those manners had required a great deal of polishing. Still, she knew herself to be at her best as she descended the stairs. She wore a sprigged muslin gown and her hair done up charmingly by Mrs. Hastings’ own hairdresser and an air of modesty that belied her knowledge of the reason most visitors had come to call.
    Jeremy was, of course, already there. He had no wish to court his father’s