Read Online The Winter Bride (A Chance Sisters Romance) by Anne Gracíe - Free Book Online Page B

both, and must be leading them forward to the great event.’”
A short silence fell. Jane, having finished the chapter, passed the book to Damaris, and a buzz of conversation rose.
    Damaris hesitated. Should she approach Mr. Monkton-Coombes now and speak to him? There would be a short break now for everyone’s refreshments to be replenished—people liked to listen while they sipped tea or sherry or nibbled pensively on a cake or an almond wafer—and then it would be Damaris’s turn to read.
    But what if he argued? It would only draw attention to them, and she didn’t wish that. London society was hungry for gossip of even the mildest sort.
    He straightened and stepped away from the wall he’d been lounging against. Damaris rose from her seat, clutching the book to her chest. If he tried to approach Lady Beatrice, she would intercept him, distract him somehow. She had no choice.
     • • • 
    F reddy was intrigued. Damaris had kept glancing at him on and off throughout the reading session. Clearly she wanted to talk to him. He headed toward her, but he’d taken a mere half dozen steps when—“Mr. Monkton-Coombes, the very man I wanted to talk to.” An elderly female claw hooked him from the crowd. “You know my great-niece Hermione, don’t you? Hermione Fullerton-Smith?”
    Freddy did, much to his regret. One of the Lincolnshire Fullerton-Smiths and a muffin of the highest order. “How d’ye do, Miss Fullerton-Smith?” he muttered, casting a frustrated glance across the room to where Blenkinsop, a fellow he’d been to school with, was oozing flowery compliments over Damaris.
    Dammit, Blenkinsop was exactly the sort of fellow Max would expect Freddy to protect the girls from.
    She turned her head, caught his eye and gave him an unreadable look.
    At his elbow, the dowager tightened her grip.
    “What a lovely surprise,” Miss Fullerton-Smith murmured with a coy smile. “I didn’t expect to see you until the house party. I’m so looking forward to it. And”—she walked her fingers playfully up his arm—“to getting better acquainted with you.” It left him cold. Colder than cold.
    He stepped back, ostensibly to let a footman bearing a tray through. “I’m afraid I don’t know which house party you mean. And I doubt very much if I’ll be there.”
    She gave a tinkling laugh. “Well, of course you do, and you’re being very naughty. Mama and I have been assured by your dear mama you’ll be there.”
    Freddy almost snorted. His mother knew nothing of his social engagements. And wherever this house party was, if the Armthwaite muffins, Miss Blee and now the Fullerton-Smiths were attending, he planned to be as far away from it as possible. Somewhere like France. Or Russia.
    A silvery bell rang out. Immediately people began to resume their seats. Freddy took his leave of Miss Fullerton-Smith and her great-aunt and retreated to the opposite side of the room.
    Damaris raised her book, preparing to read. The room fell silent. Freddy found another wall to lean against and retired to glower at Blenkinsop and listen to Damaris’s beautiful voice reading.
    The wretched story continued. These girls seemed to have an endless supply of stories about women whose sole aim in life was to find rich husbands. Ghastly stuff. Who’d write a book about muffins?
     • • • 
    “A nother chilly morning, Miss Chance.”
    Damaris, who’d just let herself out of the back gate, jumped as the deep voice came out of the swirling fog. “Mr. Monkton-Coombes?” She didn’t even try to hide her surprise. It wasn’t quite dawn. He was clearly waiting for her. “What on earth are you doing here?” Again.
    “Escorting you to work.”
    “I don’t need an escort, thank you. I’m perfectly all right by myself.”
    “I’m not going to argue. I made a promise to Max I’d look after you girls and I mean to keep it. It’s to stop Abby worrying,” he added, hoping it would mollify her. He presented his arm, and