Read Online Accidentally in Love by Claudia Dain - Free Book Online Page A

desert Mrs. Culley and her sons. They shall need us now more than ever. Of course, based on what Mrs. Culley said as they were leaving Melverley House, they are soon to leave Town. To remain now would be folly.”
    “They’re leaving?” Emeline said, the kippers tumbling in her belly.
    “How can they stay now?” Mama said, and she then went on and on about suitability and scandal.
    “Excuse me, madam,” the butler said, holding a tray with a card on it. “A note from Lady Eleanor Kirkland for you.”
    Mama’s eyes widened. Mama took the note and opened it, read it, her eyes widened further, and then she passed the note to Emeline.
    According to the note, Eleanor most cordially requested that Mrs. and Miss Harlow accompany her to Madame Lacroix’s millinery shop, the same shop in which they had accidentally met only the day before, to aid her in choosing a new hat as the skill with which they dealt with milliners and fashion had so impressed her. Would they do her the honor?
    They most certainly would.
     
     
    Kit was browsing the library shelves of his borrowed London home when Pip, Sig, and Harry burst in upon him. They were unannounced, not having the patience to wait for such a pointless thing as that.
    “I beg your pardon, Mr. Culley,” the butler said, frowning.
    “It’s quite all right,” Kit said. “‘Tis their habit and no reflection on you.”
    Ever since the wallpaper incident at Melverley House the night before, Kit had been treated with great care by any servant he happened upon. It would have been quite amusing if it hadn’t been so ridiculous.
    “Are you leaving Town?” Harry said the minute the butler closed the door behind him. “You can’t leave. How will we have any fun at all if you’re back home?”
    “Aren’t you having fun?” Kit asked, sitting on the large sofa positioned under the largest window in the room. Harry plopped down beside him, slouching so that his head was a mere inch from Kit’s arm.
    “Aren’t you?” Harry said. “You got to punch someone. I didn’t think you could do that in London.”
    “I didn’t punch anyone. Don’t spread false tales.”
    “Someone said you wanted to punch Lord Raithby,” Sig said.
    “Who said such a thing?” Kit said.
    Sig shrugged.
    “Why would I want to do that? Raithby is a friend.” Though not as much of a friend as he had believed only twenty-four hours ago. What had he and Emeline found to laugh about?
    “Because he and Emeline got on so well?” Pip said, sounding very sophisticated for fifteen.
    “Where did you hear that?” Kit snapped.
    Pip shrugged and walked to the far window, his back to the rest of them.
    “Didn’t they get on well?” Sig asked.
    “Did Emeline say so?” Kit said.
    Sig shrugged and walked to the bookshelves. The books were mostly histories, nothing that would interest Sig.
    “Are you really leaving Town?” Harry asked, slouching further, his hair getting mussed.
    “I suppose so,” Kit said. And in so doing, he would leave Emeline to Lord Raithby. The thought was horrifying. “It seems I must.”
    “Because you punched the footman?” Harry said.
    “I didn’t punch anyone,” Kit said.
    “Then why are you leaving?” Sig said.
    “It’s expected,” Kit said.
    “By whom?” Sig said.
    To that, Kit had no answer.
    “No one can make you leave Town, can they?” Pip said. “When I come to Town to look over women, I don’t think anyone will be able to make me leave.”
    “I am not looking over women. Don’t be coarse, Pip,” he said.
    “Is it coarse to say what’s truly happening?” Pip countered, coming back across the room to face him. “Isn’t that why Emeline is here? To be looked at and found favorable?”
    Yes, it was coarse to put into words the actual state of affairs.
    Yes, Emeline was in Town to be looked over and found worthy.
    What a revolting notion. What devil had come up with it in the first place?
    “If no one is making you leave, why are you leaving?”