Страница 1 из 36
Accidentally, Yours
Kate Harper
Chapter One
One night in August at Almack’s…
‘My dear Miss Hathaway,’ the Earl of Allingham murmured, staring down into Audrey’s eyes. ‘As ever, you are looking exquisite tonight!’
Audrey smiled up at Roderick Allingham, eyes alight with laughter. ‘My lord, you always say that. Indeed, if I were to believe everything you say, I would be the most exquisite, the most glorious, the most charming creature in London. And I must tell you, Sir, that I do not believe that to be the case.’
‘And I must tell you, Miss Hathaway, that I think I might know best in this matter,’ he assured her earnestly. ‘I know for a fact that your ma
Audrey laughed and they twirled with the other dancers around the floor. She was having a marvelous night. Indeed, since coming up to London in May, she was having a wonderful Season. Things seemed to be going so well for her family, the past darkness created by the untimely death of her father, now nothing more than a shadow in their lives. Her eldest sister Isabella – married for these past ten months to her beloved Harry – had just a
Two of the Hathaway children have found the most perfect happiness, she mused as she was guided into another graceful spin that made the satin skirts of her green gown flare and flutter. Now there is only Millie and me to sort out and Millie is still too young to worry about. Although she was sure that, when the time came, they would be worrying about Millicent, the most eccentric of the Hathaway children and the least inclined to accept the strictures of Society. But as Mama said, Millie was a bridge to be crossed when they came to it.
She glanced up at Allingham again, wondering if this was the man who would make her glow in the same ma
Audrey had pondered the idea that each person might have another half, waiting out there for them. Was it really true or had Isabella and Marcus just been extraordinarily lucky? It all sounded very mysterious and wonderful but she suspected that they were the exception, rather than the rule. She had seen too many of her friends settle into marriage after forming co
‘I suppose he is well enough. I ca
‘Oh?’ Audrey had been puzzled. ‘But where is he?’
‘At one of his clubs, I expect. He is never home at this time of day.’
‘I see.’ Audrey had studied Charlotte carefully, wondering how much she should say. There had been an air of brittle tension about the girl that was disconcerting. ‘Is that usual, not seeing him for so long a time?’
Charlotte’s lips had twisted a little. ‘Perfectly usual, I can assure you. Why? Did you think he would be here? Most gentlemen do not hover about their wives in such a ma
Audrey had felt her face warming a little. She knew, of course, that every step in the dance leading up to offers and marriage were monitored by the ton, who hung on what alliances were being made with which families but she still found it all very disconcerting.
‘There is nothing certain, I can assure you of, although Lord Allingham is a delightful man.’
‘Oh, pooh! Don’t be so missish, my dear. Allingham is the Season’s catch and all the world knows that he is now in control of his fortune since his birthday and can take any girl he sees fit to wed, which must be dreadfully a
She had cleared her throat, wondering what to say. ‘Is there some significance in the earl having a birthday?’
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. ‘Really, Audrey dear. If you are to marry the man you should know his history. His brother has held the purse strings until now. Actually, if rumor is to be believed, it is a wonder there is any fortune left. The wicked brother was supposed to have removed a good part of it.’
‘The wicked brother?’ Audrey repeated, bewildered. It had all been news to her.
‘Kirkwood.’ Charlotte gave a slow smile. ‘I have seen him about several times although he does not go into Society much, more’s the pity. A dreadful creature, of course, but gorgeous nevertheless. That sort always are, are they not?’
‘I’m afraid I do not know what you are talking about.’
The girl looked at Audrey for a moment, then shrugged. ‘I think I shall let Allingham tell you his family history. If you are to marry him, it would be a pity to hear it elsewhere.’