Susan Johnson Read Online Free Page A

say a word out of turn.”
    “It looks as though I have no choice,” Annabelle muttered with a grimace. Short of shouting back at her mother—an impossible act of disrespect, considering the fact that her mother continued to beckon them with great vigor—she was obliged to capitulate.
    “I will be on my best behavior—word of honor.”
    That charming smile again, familiar not only to her, but to a great number of ladies in the Ton . The young marquis had cut a wide swath through the boudoirs of London before he’d left for the Continent. “Just don’t stay long,” she cautioned. “And I warn you, my mother’s mind wanders.”
    “I am duly warned on both counts,” he replied pleasantly, crooking his arm in her direction.
    There was nothing to do but place her hand on his arm and follow him down the garden path toward the table set under the shade of the trees. And there was also nothing to do when they reached her mother and Molly but to introduce their illustrious visitor. “Mama, Molly, the Marquis of Darley. Lord Darley, my mother and our wet nurse.”
    “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Foster, Molly.” His formal bow was perfection, his smile correspondingly splendid. “Your daughter and I have mutual friends in London, Mrs. Foster. She’s a most accomplished actress, as you no doubt know. And that’s not just my opinion but one with which every playgoer and critic in the land concurs.”
    “Belle is perfect in every way, is she not?” Mrs. Foster cheerfully agreed, beaming at Duff’s fulsome praise. “Come, come, young man, sit down, partake of our rustic tea and tell us of the doings of the great world.”
    Annabelle’s eyes widened at her mother’s sudden animation and polished air, as if she took tea with nobles every day.
    Darley immediately understood from whence the lovely Belle had acquired her looks and poise. Ill or not, Mrs. Foster had the bearing of a countess, a lovely smile, and obvious command over her daughter. A point he not only noted, but intended to exploit. Not for nefarious reasons. He simply wished Belle’s company this fine summer day. And from all appearances, the mother didn’t look seriously ill. Perhaps a ride wasn’t out of the question.
    It was a habit of long standing—wanting what he wanted. But coming from a family of great wealth and title, how could he have escaped those selfish urges? And it was a perfect summer day.
    Applying the full extent of his charm to the fulfillment of his wishes, he soon had Mrs. Foster laughing at his jests, teasing him back, conversing with him as though they were old friends. And before long, he had both babies in his lap and was making them giggle, too. “My sister has twins,” he noted, gently bouncing the enfants on his knees. “I’ve learned to deal with two babes at once.”
    That admission induced Mrs. Foster to ask him numerous questions about his family, all of which he answered with complete candor. And after Duff had mentioned that he and Eddie had been living rough at his father’s hunting lodge, she insisted Eddie be included in the festivities.
    “I don’t suppose your valet has had a bit of cake for a long time, then,” she declared. “I’ve yet to meet a man who knows much about baking.”
    “I can’t argue there,” Darley replied with a smile, calling over his batman to join them. “Eddie’s cooking is of the most rudimentary.”
    For the next half hour or so, laughter and frivolity became the order of the day. One person no more than pronounced something amusing, than another responded with equal wit. Eddie entertained them with an acceptable ditty or two from his repertoire of camp songs. And whether it was Duff’s accomplished baby-minding or because of Eddie’s lilting voice, the babies soon fell asleep in the marquis’s arms. Without asking, he placed the sleeping babes in their baskets and settled back in his chair with the naturalness of a man who had often cared for children.
    Annabelle found