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

and smiling at everyone assembled in the drawing room looking back at her. There were lords and ladies, locals, and many who had traveled to honor the couple on this special day.

People had traveled miles for her, too, and she’d loved every moment of the fuss.

But it was no wonder Rebecca had been nervous about today. This was the biggest wedding that Stapleton Manor had ever hosted, including Fanny’s and Jessica’s.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Jeremy Dawes standing at the back of the room. The sight of him, so handsome, so appealing, made a flush of warmth—lust, if she were honest with herself—sweep over her skin.

She had to admit she’d like a kiss from him…and maybe quite a bit more besides, if he was agreeable.

Fanny squared her shoulders when Rebecca murmured her name, and she swept down between the rows of guests toward Lord Rafferty and the waiting vicar.

It would be some hours now before she was released from family obligations. Perhaps by that time she’d have relegated her longing for masculine company to the back of her mind again.

She moved to the side, ready and willing to be a witness to the nuptials about to take place.

She lifted her face to see her sister approach. Any trace of pre-wedding nerves had vanished from Rebecca’s demeanor. She was radiant again as she took the groom’s hand, and Rafferty’s face was so full of love it was hard to witness. Father nodded to her as he took his seat beside his new wife.

As the vicar spoke, Fanny was constantly reminded of her own distant wedding day. She had loved her husband dearly, until his last breath and beyond. But she had to admit that her life felt so empty of late. The work she did for the poor, managing her investments, helping the family when she could, did not satisfy her as much as it once had.

Perhaps she did need someone in her life from time to time.

Not a husband, surely. A temporary companion only. A husband would take over her financial affairs and leave her life emptier than it was now. Perhaps Rebecca was right, that an affair with a discreet lover might just be what she needed. For now, Dawes was an amusing companion, and she was enjoying their little performances together.

Rafferty slipped a ring on Rebecca’s finger and the pair were wed.

They turned to face the wedding guests as man and wife to wild applause from family and guests.

Fanny thanked the vicar and fell in behind them, standing beside Wilks as the guests swamped the grinning couple.

“Lady Rivers, how lovely to see you again,” he drawled.

“And you as well, my lord.”

“When are we going to do something together?”

Wilks and Fanny had different friends and rarely moved in the same circles. “I don’t know.”

“I was talking about doing,” he waggled his brows suggestively, “something. Together. After all, my best friend and your sister are now wed. We should become better friends, don’t you think?”

Fanny nearly rolled her eyes at the emphasis Wilks placed on certain words. Did he think she was desperate for manly attention? Lord Wilks, being younger than her, would be the last man she’d ever allow into her bed. He was Thwaite’s son and a libertine. She adopted her most haughty expression. “I don’t follow.”

“Well, Rafferty is fond of a house party, and as I recall, you are too.” He hooked her arm though his and patted her hand. “We could see much more of each other very easily.”

“I have attended several house parties in recent years,” she agreed. To discuss investments, and to keep boredom at bay. She’d not bed hopped at any of the prior ones that Wilks had attended. But she hadn’t been looking for a lover then. She wasn’t now, either. “I’m sure we will attend several of the same house parties in future years. That is unavoidable.”

Jessica rushed over and caught hold of Fanny’s upper arms, dislodging Wilks in the process with her enthusiasm. “Isn’t it wonderful, Fanny?” Jessica cried out as she embraced her.

“What is wonderful?”

“How one wedding almost always leads to another,” Jessica enthused. “I suppose you already know that Lord Letterford has proposed to Mrs. Abercrombie and been accepted. Why didn’t you tell us when he must have told you at luncheon the other day?”

Fanny gaped and quickly looked around the room, discovering Lord Letterford and Mrs. Abercrombie, a widow close to his own age, standing not far away. “He never mentioned an attachment.”

“She wears his ring even now.” Jessica linked arms with her, turning her away from Wilks. “I cannot wait until dinner. There will be mushroom soup. My favorite.”

Wilks faded into the mingling guests and Jessica let out a huff. “Eh, that man is horrible.”

“I take it you’ve had dealings with Wilks before.”

Her sister frowned. “I met him during my season. He was forever trying to talk to me alone. I talked to him about mushrooms for an hour before he lost interest.”

Fanny laughed. “Well, I’m glad you were cautious around him.”

“You should be too. There are much nicer men to choose from to marry than that one.”

“Whoever said I was getting married?”

“Well, everyone. I’m always the last one to know.”

“That is not true. You’ll be first, I promise, should I even decide I miss having a husband to boss me around. Not that I do. Or have even considered the prospect of making a second match for myself.”

Jessica was frowning. “I don’t get bossed around!”

Whitfield was suddenly beside them. “Jessica, we should congratulate the happy couple. Now, while there’s no one close to them.”

“See?” Fanny muttered under her breath as Whitfield led Jessica away. A husband would tell her what to do just like Whitfield was with Jessica now, and Fanny had grown rather fond of bossing herself about instead.

Fanny made her way to Lord Letterford and Mrs. Abercrombie. “My dears, I just heard the happy news. Congratulations. How simply wonderful!”

“Thank you, my lady,” Mrs. Abercrombie said with a loving glance toward