Read Bridal Favors for Free Online

likely at the end of her options, isn’t she?” She shook her head woefully. “Just look at what I’ve been forced to because of you.”
    He laughed, surprising a grin out of her. She peeked over the top rim of her glasses in amused exasperation. Couldn’t he at least
pretend
to give her words credence?
    “I take it you’re not filled with remorse?” she asked without much hope. “
Will
you help me, anyway? Please?”
    For a long moment, he considered.
    “All right, Evie, I’ll tell you what,” he finally said. “I’ll let your American have her party at my abbey. I’ll even allow you to transform the old place into whatever set piece you want—provided you cart away the props once the happy couple is united. But,” he added severely, pushing away from the counter and coming to stand directly over her, “there is one condition.”
    “Anything! What?”
    “I’ll be at the abbey.”
    Evelyn face fell. “I can’t ask Mrs. Vandervoort to invite a stranger to her wedding!”
    “Cheer up, Evie.” He chucked her under the chin, amazing her. No one chucked young ladies under their chins. And
most
certainly not her chin.
    “I shouldn’t care to be invited,” he said. “Exceptionally dull affairs, weddings. Can’t see why anyone who can possibly avoid them doesn’t. No. I’m simply going to
be
at the abbey. Watching the migration of the,” he glanced at her, “the
Bubo Formosa Plurimus
.” He hesitated and added, “
Minor
.”
    “
Bubo
what?” Evelyn asked. It sounded like Latin and the most Latin she knew was
amo
,
amas
,
amat
.
    He pulled a professorial face. “You don’t know the
Bubo Formosa Plurimus, Minor
? Well, I can’t say that I’m surprised. It’s a very rare, exceptional little bird that I had the honor and great privilege of discovering when it flew into my window.”
    “You’re an ornithologist?” Evelyn blurted out.
    “An ardent enthusiast,” he said modestly. “Though I do claim some small expertise and in some circles might be regarded as an authority.” He turned his hand over and examined his nails.
    Evelyn studied him suspiciously. It never occurred to her that a masher might have other activities besides, well,
mashing
. But, of course, there was nothing to say they couldn’t have outside interests. Well, well, one learned something every day.
    “So you see,” he met her eye, “I’m afraid I must insist.”
    Evelyn wavered. If nothing else, he was discreet—as proved by the absolute silence surrounding his affair with Mrs. Underhill. And having him on the premises might prove a spot of good luck, say, if some problem with the plumbing should arise. On the other hand, there would be a score of lovely, sophisticated women at the party, and a bunch of birds couldn’t hold his attention indefinitely.
    “Mr. Powell. Can you promise not to—” She paused. How did one put this delicately?
    “I assure you, I won’t be the least bit underfoot.”
    She fidgeted. “That’s not exactly what I meant. You mustn’t . . .”
    “Mustn’t what?”
    She took a deep breath. “You mustn’t embark on any relationships during my tenancy.”
    He regarded her blankly. She’d been too subtle.
    “I mean you mustn’t use the abbey for any untoward purposes during the tenure of our contract.”
    He looked completely mystified. “Pardon me?”
    Gads!
She stared at him in embarrassment, utterly flustered. “Tryst, rendezvous, criminal converse, liaison! Whatever you call it—don’t have one while I’m at North Cross Abbey!” she blurted out. “I mean while
Mrs. Vandervoort
is there. I mean either of us!”
    She’d startled him. His eyes widened and his body stiffened. Then, amazingly, he flushed. But that didn’t stop the lupine smile from curving his sensuous mouth, or the glint of unholy amusement that brightened his blue-green eyes.
    “Well, that rather takes the fun out of things, doesn’t it?” he asked.
    She felt an answering blush sweep up her throat.