Lord Grayson's Bride Read Online Free Page B

“I do try, and Lord Allaway is kind enough to indulge my fancy for parties.”
    Josephine caught the amused glance Nick sent her way and knew he was thinking the same thing she was: Lord Allaway was rich enough to indulge her fancy. This party alone boasted thirty people for the whole of two weeks.
    “You are a fortunate woman,” Josephine said.
    “I am.”
    She glanced at her husband, who stood with a group of men watching a card game in the left corner of the room. An affectionate sparkle appeared in her eyes, and Josephine wondered that a woman who had been married for thirty years could still look at her husband with such unabashed warmth.
    Lady Allaway returned her attention to them. “Your wedding is only two months away. Are you ready?”
    The abrupt question caught Josephine off guard, but Nicholas laughed and said, “When is any man ready for marriage?”
    “Never,” she replied without hesitation. “But we adore you one and all for trying.”
    He laughed again. “Otherwise you would murder us in our sleep?”
    “Exactly!” she exclaimed, then looked at Jo, “And you, Lady Josephine, are you ready for marriage?”
    Jo detected an underlying curiosity that went beyond the question. The lady had clearly noticed the fact that Josephine had been flirting shamelessly with other men at the party last night. But then, no one could have missed the fact that she danced with the same man three times last night—a man who wasn’t Nicholas.
    “I am coping,” she said. “You know how weddings are, a thousand details and not nearly enough time to prepare.”
    “So true, and the details will drive a person to distraction. I imagine your mother has things well in hand, though?”
    “I wouldn’t survive without her,” Josephine said, and her heart gave a twist. Spending time with her mother was taking an added toll on her.
    “I haven’t seen your mother this afternoon,” Lady Allaway said.
    “She is likely resting in her room. She takes a short nap in the afternoons on the days we’re home.”
    Lady Allaway gave a knowing nod. “I have found a nap in the afternoon makes me a new woman.”
    “My mother says much the same.” Jo flicked a glance at the doorway as Henry Maxwell entered. His gaze alighted on Nicholas, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.
    “If you will excuse me, Lady Allaway, I see Henry just arrived,” Nicholas said. “There is a matter I wish to discuss with him.”
    “Of course,” she replied. “You run along. I’ll see to Lady Josephine.”
    “I wouldn’t mind saying hello to Henry,” Josephine said.
    Nick flashed a dazzling smile. “And he you, no doubt. But we will bore you with our business.”
    “On the contrary,” she replied. “You know how interested I am in business.”
    “Yes, I do, but not this time.” He smiled, but she caught the hint of steel in his eyes.
    “Lady Josephine and I will amuse ourselves,” Lady Allaway said.
    “You’re too kind,” Nick bent over the older woman’s hand again, then took Jo’s hand in his and lifted it to his lips. “I will see you at dinner, Lady Josephine.”
    She wanted to snatch her hand back, but that would do no good.
    Nicholas left, and Lady Allaway said, “You are a very lucky young woman, my dear.”
    “Yes,” Josephine answered, her bad luck coming to mind as it too often did.
    Why had Nicholas returned home? From the corner of her eye, she saw that he and Henry had been waylaid by two of her father’s cronies. They were probably congratulating him on his upcoming marriage. 
    Eric Fleming entered from the open French doors leading to the balcony and his eyes fell on her. He cast a glance at Nicholas, whose back was to him, then crossed the room to Josephine and Lady Allaway.
    “Lady Allaway.” He nodded, then said to Jo, “You look in the peak of health, Lady Josephine. You’re almost glowing.”
    “I noticed that as well,” Lady Allaway said. “But she was in the company of Lord Grayson, so it’s to