Debutantes Don’t Date Read Online Free Page B

again reminded how successful
     his brother-in-law was on the continent.
    Shaking off Neal’s gaze, Jasper nodded. “Still, she wouldn’t be here by herself, would
     she? You’re right, Victoria, something’s not adding up.”
    Miss Lancaster was still looking at the lights with a puzzled frown on her face. Had
     she never seen a chandelier before? Good God, she
was
a fortune-hunter. You would think she would’ve gone to Lancaster himself if she needed
     money, but if she was of the American line…? How on earth had he got himself into
     this mess?
    “I suppose I should bring Ol’ Lancaster into this conversation? I saw him here earlier
     tonight.”
    “I saw him leave a while ago.” Victoria laid her hand on his arm before he could turn
     towards the door. “The Duchess said his knee was bothering him again. She indicated
     he was traveling to his country estate in the morning so if you think we should discuss
     this with him, we should go to his townhouse now. But he may have retired for the
     night already.” Victoria removed her hand from his arm and put it to her forehead.
     “Oh, this gossip is going to run for months. A
Lancaster
, Jasper? Couldn’t you have been bewitched by
anyone
else?”
    “Too late for that, Victoria, what’s done is done. But you will have to find her chaperone,
     Jasper.” Neal turned towards the lady in question and raised his voice. “Miss Lancaster,
     with whom did you arrive this evening?”
    “Hmmm?” She relinquished her inspection of the lighting, and turned towards them.
     “Oh, I came this afternoon with the rest of the crew. Long before any guests arrived.
     Speaking of which, I do need to get back to work.” She walked towards them and stuck
     out her hand. “It was lovely to meet you all, do be sure to enjoy the rest of your
     evening.” She had plastered a perfect smile on her face, as though she was used to
     pacifying difficult guests.
    Her hand stayed outstretched for a moment too long before Neal stepped forward to
     claim it. Something clenched in Jasper’s stomach as Neal brought her hand to his lips.
     Miss Lancaster’s face coloured and Jasper wondered if she always blushed so easily.
    Neal didn’t release her hand, but used it to lead her to the settee. Jasper bristled
     when Neal took the seat next to her. He left his sister to look after herself and
     made his way over to them and sat in the chair nearest Miss Lancaster.
    He should’ve known better.
    Victoria cleared her throat and raised her eyebrow at him.
    Damn. He extricated himself from his seat and gallantly offered it to Victoria. By
     the time he had fetched another chair from the other side of the room, the conversation
     was well on its way again.
    “…escort? No, I didn’t pay anyone to come with me, and if I did, I wouldn’t tell anyway.”
     Her laughter filled the room. The musical sound shot straight to Jasper’s groin and
     in that moment he decided he would do anything to make her laugh again.
    She opened her reticule and after a moment of intense searching she pulled a small,
     smooth metal case from its depths. She opened the case and handed them each a piece
     of paper. Jasper looked at the card in his hand.
    A calling card.
    Sinclair Functions Ltd.
Parties with a difference

Senior Party Planner
Grace Lancaster
(212) 527-8636
[email protected]
www.sinclairfunctions.com
    “You plan parties?” Victoria asked after a moment.
    “Yes. But not just parties. We plan weddings, balls, like this one, conferences, birthday
     parties, engagement parties, expos, anniversaries, you name it, we can organise anything
     you like.”
    “I’ve never heard of a ‘party planner’ before.”
    “You haven’t? That’s weird. Surely you’ve watched
The Wedding Planner
?”
    “Miss Lancaster, who exactly did you come with tonight?” Neal was obviously tired
     of this absolutely bizarre conversation. “I need a name.”
    “Well, my boss is here. Ron Sinclair. You