Read The Bridal Quest for Free Online Page A

gentleman," she went on flatly. "The truth is, his past is, well, unsavory. I am not aware of the particulars—and, frankly, I do not care to be." She turned her fierce gaze on Rochford again, then swung back to Francesca. "He lived among the worst sort of people, far from the influence of his family and peers. The result is that he is lacking in the qualities that make up a gentleman. His speech and manners are quite unrefined, and his education is woefully short."
    "Gideon is very well-read, Aunt." Rochford came to the man's defense again, but his great-aunt waved away his words.
    "Pshaw!" she exclaimed contemptuously. "I am not talking about
books,
Sinclair. I am talking about his education in the things that count—he cannot dance, and he has no idea how to make polite conversation. The man can barely sit a horse." She paused to let that horror sink in. "He is much too familiar with the servants and the tenants, yet he scarcely says a word to his family or even the local gentry. Fortunately, we have managed to get him to stay at the Hall most of the time, but now he insists on returning to London."
    "He does have business here," the duke pointed out mildly.
    "And what if someone we know sees him conducting his ... business?" Lady Odelia gave a theatrical shudder at the thought.
    "Aunt Odelia, I think there is little for anyone to remark upon on seeing a man going into a bank or meeting with his clerks," Rochford protested, his voice edging into irritation. "Come now, you will make Lady Haughston think that he should be locked up in the attic."
    "Would that I
could
lock him away," Lady Odelia retorted.
    The duke's dark brows drew together, and he took a breath before answering her. It occurred to Francesca that she might soon have a battle between these two right here in her sitting room.
    "But, Lady Odelia," she intervened hastily, "I am afraid I still do not quite see what I have to do with all this. How can I introduce him to anyone if he has no interest in Society?"
    "She wants you to help her arrange the poor chap's life for him," Rochford responded in a biting tone.
    Francesca's eyebrows sailed upward, and she said coolly, "I beg your pardon."
    "Don't be difficult, Sinclair," Lady Odelia admonished. "There is no need to snap at Francesca just because you are annoyed with me."
    Rochford's mouth tightened, and he flashed a hot glance at Francesca, but he bowed his head in polite acquiescence and said, "Of course. Forgive me, Lady Haughston. I meant you no disrespect."
    "Do not worry," Francesca murmured in a silky tone. "I have learned not to put overmuch importance on what you say."
    She was rewarded by a sardonic look from beneath his brows, but the duke said nothing more.
    "It isn't that I dislike the boy," Lady Odelia went on, ignoring their exchange. "He is my great-nephew, after all, and I hope it never will be said that I denigrated any of my own blood—although God knows, Bertrand has tested my limits often enough. However, Gideon is a Lilles, at least in part, and it is scarcely his fault that he does not know how to act. So I put my mind to it and came up with a solution." She paused and looked at Francesca, then announced, "Gideon must marry. And you are just the woman we need."
    "Oh." Was the woman suggesting that she herself marry the man, Francesca wondered with horror.
    "We must attach him to a thoroughly respectable, quite proper woman. One of unquestionable breeding and taste. It is to be hoped that she will be able to influence him, direct him into better behavior. Smooth some of his rough edges and cover up his flaws. And if she cannot, well, at least she will insure that his children will be suitably well-bred."
    Lady Odelia paused, then went on didactically. "A proper marriage goes far in overcoming the taint of scandal. If a woman of impeccable lineage is willing to ally herself to him, then everyone else will prove more amenable to overlooking his various ... problems."
    "Well," Francesca began