Anne Barbour Read Online Free Page A

Anne Barbour
Book: Anne Barbour Read Online Free
Author: My Cousin Jane nodrm
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disasters. I told Papa it would be no good, and I told Aunt Dimstowe the same thing, but she insisted on sponsoring me. At any rate, I have no desire for a husband. Patience and Jessica are different. They’re pretty and biddable and don’t say uncomfortable things. I know that given half a chance they will each make excellent partis. They’re my sisters, after all,” she added defiantly, “and I owe it to them. After that, I can get on with my own life. I’ve always wanted to travel, you know.”
    Hannah grimaced. “That’s no kind of a life for a gently bred female. What you want is a husband,” she said again, but Jane merely waved her hand in negation.
    “In fact,” she continued, completely ignoring Hannah’s strictures, “I’ve been wondering if this Lord Simon wouldn’t do for Winifred. Mister Soapes—the family agent in London—told me when he visited here that Lord Simon’s brother is a marquess. That is not as good as if he had a title himself, of course, but with any luck, he’s swimming in gravy. From what Soapes said, he’s certainly not too old. He might even be reasonably presentable.”
    “Miss Jane!” gasped Hannah, her fingers busy with Jane’s cap, trying without noticeable success to turn it to a becoming angle. “You sound like a vulgar, grasping harpy. What would your sainted mama say?”
    Jane’s luminous gray eyes clouded, but in a moment she said briskly, “Needs must when the devil drives, Hannah. I know I’m manipulating Winifred—putting her under an obligation to me— but it’s not as though I’m doing her any real harm, after all. Lord knows she needs a strong hand, which so far neither Mister Soapes nor the vicar has been able to supply.”
    Hannah rolled her eyes ceilingward. “You have that right, Miss Jane, but what about this crazy idea of hers?”
    Jane frowned. “Yes, that is a problem. Drat Millicent for putting such notions into her stepdaughter’s head. Her muse calls? To London, for heaven’s sake. I don’t know what—
    She was interrupted by a diffident scratch on the door, which was opened to admit a housemaid with the information that Lord Simon Talent had arrived—with another gentleman—and they were waiting below to see Miss Winifred.
    Jane paused, arrested. “Another gentleman? Soapes did not say anything about another gentleman. Well, his lordship will just have to settle for Miss Winifred Timburton’s companion.” She turned to the mirror once more and pulled the cap even farther over her face and drew a handkerchief from the sleeve of her gown, with which she rubbed her nose furiously, thus providing additional lustre to its already virulent hue. She drew her eyes into an unattractive squint and, with another wave to Hannah, swept from the room.
    A few moments later, a small, vague form flitted into the drawing room, only to be brought up short by the sight of the gentleman standing before the fireplace. He was tall and lean and impeccably garbed in cream-colored pantaloons, a dark coat, and brilliantly polished Hessian boots. His arm was flung negligently against the mantel, but the lithe strength in his tautly muscled form was more than evident. Brown hair curled modishly over his collar, but it was his eyes that caused a peculiar flutter in Jane’s interior. They were brown, too, but of a deep, velvety chocolate, flecked with gold, and in their depths lurked something unsettling. A faint air of danger, she thought dazedly, certainly one of authority. Lord Simon Talent was most assuredly used to command—and probably used to being obeyed. He did not look the sort of man to be easily deceived.
    With some trepidation, she moved forward into the room and put forth her hand.
----
Chapter 2
    “. . .I  do repent
The tedious moments I with her have spent.”
—A Midsummer Night’s Dream, II, ii.
    Simon turned to view the woman who had entered the room and his heart sank in resigned dismay. “Miss Timburton?” he asked
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