Free The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) by Rhonda Woodward Page A

If I were not so concerned about Maman and Grandmère, I do not believe I would have stayed above a week. I am curious to know where you have found this sudden, and unlikely, reserve of patience.”
    Kel shrugged as he sidestepped a nursemaid and baby. “Truth be told, I believe Maman and Grandmère enjoy their squabbling. Why else will neither of them give up and take a separate house?”
    Emmaline readjusted the angle of her sunshade and nodded in agreement with her brother’s assessment. “I am sure you are right. But that still does not explain why you have stayed in Bath. Yesterday, you were on the verge of having your bags packed. Today, you seem perfectly amenable to staying here.”
    Kel took his time answering.
Actually, I’ve rarely been more bored in my life, except for a few brief moments last evening when I followed a certain carriage to Laura Place.
“Bath has certain charms that are at first not apparent. Its appeal has become more apparent to me in the last few days.”
    Emmaline looked skeptical at her brother’s languid explanation, but did not pursue her line of questioning. She was just thankful that he had decided to stay and help her deal with their cantankerous relatives.
    She bent down to admire the blooms of an unusualspecies of rose. An avid gardener, she had thrown herself into this pastime not long after the death of her husband six years ago.
    “I have to admit that some of the gardens here rival those in the parks of London,” she told her brother upon straightening. But he was not attending her. Instead, he was staring into the distance with narrowed eyes. Half turning, Emmaline tried to see what had caught his attention.
    “Emma, are you acquainted with those two ladies coming toward us?”
    “I see several ladies coming toward us. Whom do you mean?”
    “The tall young lady in pale green with the lady in the massive yellow bonnet.”
    Easily locating the women he was referring to, Emmaline watched the two figures as they abruptly stopped and hurriedly took a different direction.
    “The lady in yellow is Lady Farren. We met in the Pump Room not long ago when she was with her mother-in-law and I was with Grandmère. I do not know the other. Why do you ask?”
    “I wish to be made known to them,” Kel told his sister decisively. “Come and make the introductions.”
    Wearing a startled expression, Emmaline accompanied her brother as he quickened his stride to follow Lady Farren and the mysterious beauty.
    Once off the pathway, Kel lost sight of them among the hedges and trees. He slowed his pace and cursed under his breath, looking around with a frown.
    Emmaline halted her progress beneath a large beech.
    “Kel, what on earth are you doing? Why do you wish to meet Lady Farren?” she demanded.
    The duke was about to respond to his sister’squery when he saw the ladies rounding the corner of a shrub bed some thirty yards away. “Ah, here they come. Emma, this may be a bit awkward, but I greatly desire a word with the taller young lady. If you could manage to occupy Lady Farren for a few moments, you would be doing me a great service.”
    Nonplussed, Emmaline could only stare at her brother in complete confusion before turning curious eyes to the rapidly approaching women.
    Kel took a few steps forward and saw the Beauty and her companion halt for a moment before stepping up their pace. Because of the trees, there was nothing else for them to do but continue their approach or turn around and go in the opposite way. They continued toward him and Emmaline, he noted a moment later with satisfaction.
    Hoping the Beauty’s good manners would prevent her from giving him the cut direct, he sent Emmaline a significant look.
    The two women were almost upon him when Emmaline stepped forward and called a cheery greeting.
    “Good afternoon! It is Lady Farren, is it not? I am so pleased to meet you again after our delightful conversation in the Pump Room some days ago.”
    Well done, Emma
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