The Lady Tamed by Boyd, Heather (urban books to read TXT) 📗

were matched in impatience today. “Not without your favorite sisters by your side.”

“My only sisters,” Rebecca shot back just as quickly. “Come on, Ava will think we’ve forgotten about the party.”

Ava was Lord Rafferty’s only daughter and quite excited to have a new mother soon.

“As if we could,” Jessica exclaimed. “I am very much looking forward to spending time at your future home. I’ve visited Gable Park so rarely.”

Rebecca hooked her arm through Jessica’s and strolled out the front door, nodding to the Stapleton butler as she passed. “Well, that will not be the case after I wed, I hope.”

“No,” Jessica promised.

“Of course, we will visit.” Now when Fanny came to the country, she’d have to extend her stays by almost two weeks in order to visit three homes instead of just her father’s.

Rebecca climbed into the carriage first with an audible huff and immediately started fiddling with the fit of her gown’s bodice, and not for the first time this week, either. Her clothes had apparently and suddenly become snug. Fanny observed her sister discreetly, seeking more confirmation that Rebecca might be in the family way before she embarrassed her by asking. Always highly strung, Rebecca had cast up her accounts that very morning though blamed it on nerves. If there was a babe coming, her marriage to Rafferty couldn’t come a moment too soon.

Jessica settled into the seat beside Fanny. “When can we expect to meet your beau?”

“He is not really my beau,” she reminded her youngest sister.

Rebecca huffed. “Fanny didn’t want Lord Letterford to think he stood a chance, so what does she do but hire a paid companion to come between them.”

“He’s an actor,” Fanny corrected. “And a very good actor.”

Rebecca’s nose wrinkled with distaste as she mouthed “actor” as if the profession was offensive. “An unknown. Could you not have found someone more believable? Someone feted and familiar with our circle would have been my preference.”

Fanny thought she’d been rather clever. She’d hired a talented man to pretend to be her most ardent admirer, and therefore, always by her side—between her and any fortune hunter’s intent on wooing her. Of course, no one would believe for a moment that she’d ever seriously consider a marriage to someone who trod the boards for a living, but they might believe she’d engage in a bit of scandal with one…therefore scaring off her most ardent suitors.

“I think it is a brilliant idea,” Jessica enthused. “Lord Letterford is always asking Giddy if he’s seen or heard that you would be visiting us soon. I don’t want him for a brother.”

Fanny shook her head. “My opinion of him hasn’t changed since I was a girl. If he proposes again, I will refuse again.”

“I think he must be very lonely,” Jessica suggested.

Fanny caught Rebecca’s eye. “Is there anything left for me to do for you before the wedding takes place?”

“I shouldn’t think so. We just need the last guests to arrive,” Rebecca replied with a heavy sigh. “Most have come, but there are a few stragglers. Your beau, for example, since you insist he be placed beside you at nearly every meal.”

Fanny inclined her head. “Mr. Dawes arrives today.”

Complete with a new wardrobe Fanny had paid for to make his presence among the wedding guests less of a talking point. The young man she’d singled out for her patronage would make a perfect companion for all the dinners and balls and such amusements that had been arranged to celebrate the marriage of Rebecca and Lord Rafferty. Father had been adamant that no expense be spared—most likely because he’d been allowed to do so little for Rebecca’s first celebration.

The trip from Stapleton to Lord Rafferty’s home, Gable Park, lasted a good long while, and Fanny talked with her sisters about everything and nothing, the way they had as girls.

By the time they reached the mansion, Fanny was feeling the need to speak with other people. Her sisters took too much of an interest in her unmarried state, and she was feeling the pressure to conform.

Thankfully, Lord Rafferty and his daughter were waiting for their arrival. The pair swept open the carriage door and hustled the blushing bride-to-be out. They exchanged greetings and then Rafferty drew Rebecca aside. When she heard kissing behind her, Fanny didn’t bother to turn and chide the pair for their behavior. They were always locked at the lips of late, as they should be in her opinion.

Fanny caught Jessica’s eye. “We had better find our own way inside without them.”

Jessica nodded.

They entered a large hall arm in arm and were directed toward the drawing room, where guests were milling about talking in small groups. The Duchess of Stapleton, Gillian, was on the far side of the room talking with a couple Fanny didn’t immediately recognize.

She turned to Jessica. “How about we take a turn about the room?”

But Jessica had caught sight of her husband standing across the room, and her face lit up with love. “Would you excuse me?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No.” Jessica kissed her cheek, then abandoned Fanny with a laugh, meeting Gideon Whitfield halfway across the room. They didn’t kiss, but it was clear they were thinking about it, given how they smiled at each other’s lips.

Fanny felt a tiny pang of envy.

“Ah, young love. Isn’t it wonderful?”

Fanny winced inwardly and then turned to face the man she’d most hoped to avoid today. “Lord Letterford.”

He rubbed his hands together. “Now it really is a celebration. But her grace was just telling me that your father will not be joining us today. Surely that cannot be true.”

“Yes, I’m afraid it is,” she promised, eying the crowd in the hope of rescue.

Letterford drew closer. “Nothing seriously wrong, I trust.”

“No.” Fanny waved her hand about, discreetly shifting her body farther away from his. “A matter on the estate required his attention, I believe.”

Letterford sighed. “I’m glad to hear it, for it wouldn’t do to have two estates in distress.”

Fanny frowned at him. “What other estate is in distress?”

“All