Secrets of a Spinster Read Online Free

a grin to Colin’s face. “Touché.”
    He sat forward and rubbed his hands over his face. “What if I just throw caution to the wind and take her somewhere myself?”
    “Alone?” Colin winced. “I don’t think so. What about Christian?”
    “My brother?”
    Colin nodded immediately, looking thoughtful. “What if you and Christian take both girls to the theater tomorrow? Nobody would think very much of the Harris brothers escorting the Hamilton sisters, everybody knows how close your families are. And Christian is so fresh to Society that nobody’s had time to think anything of him at all but his family’s reputation, which, thanks to his wonderful, kind, good-hearted, gentleman-like brother,” he paused to indicate Geoff a touch dramatically, to which Geoff merely smirked, “is nothing less than immaculate.”
    “He does have other brothers, you know,” Geoff muttered, feeling more than a little embarrassed by the exuberant, if mocking, praise from his friend.
    Colin shook his head, still grinning. “The other three have nothing on your reputation, Geoff, and you know it.” He sat back with a satisfied sigh. “I knew it was a brilliant idea, I ought to trust myself more often.”
    That would not have been entirely wise, but Geoff thought it best to say nothing. After all, this was Colin’s home, and if he thought himself so very clever within its walls, then who was Geoff to tell him otherwise? And it really was a good idea. Colin was a good deal cleverer than people gave him credit for. But that, too, was not to be spoken of.
    “So your brother is back in London, is he?” Geoff asked as he relaxed further into his chair. “I thought Kit was determined to avoid town forever.”
    Colin shrugged and helped himself to some more food. “So did I, but suddenly last week, there he was. You know, you would never think it, but he is actually one of my chief sources of gossip.”
    He was right, Geoff didn’t think it. “How is that, exactly?” he asked with a laugh. “Your brother never speaks badly of anybody. He barely speaks at all.”
    “I didn’t say he joined in the gossip,” Colin said with a wag of a finger. “He just hears everything and tells me about it. He can be quite elaborate when he chooses to be.”
    Geoff gave him a disbelieving look. “I find that very hard to believe.”
    “Would you like a demonstration?” Colin asked politely, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
    “I think that would be called for under such circumstances.”
    “Well, then,” Colin began smugly, rubbing his hands together, “here you are: Mary Hamilton was at the party at Lord and Lady Carteret’s Thursday evening. She spent most of the night near the west wall, near a window with dark green draperies. She wore a grey dress and a gold chain. She danced exactly four times.”
    “Did she, indeed?” Geoff interrupted, feeling a small burst of pleasure. “With whom?”
    “Nate, Derek, Beckham, and Cartwright.” Colin recited, his smile becoming just a touch pitying.
    For a moment, Geoff said nothing. “That’s it?” he asked finally.
    “That is it, I’m afraid. Four dances, all with our married friends and her godfather.”
    “Blast,” Geoff cursed with a wince. “Not that I am ungrateful, but why doesn’t anyone see her like I do?”
    Colin did not answer immediately, but at Geoff’s attempt at a murderous expression, he fumbled. “I haven’t the foggiest, Geoff. I don’t know her very well at all, but I know you think very highly of her, so that’s enough for me. I think very highly of her. Very highly, indeed.”
    “You’d better think highly of her,” he growled as he looked down at his fingers.
    “D’you know, Geoff, I think that’s the first time I have seen you so defensive.”
    Geoff looked up at him, ready to lash out, but he saw genuine curiosity in Colin’s expression and exhaled softly instead. “If you had a very good friend who was someone well thought of, but generally