Read The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley for Free Online Page B

deep in conversation, then made a slow perusal
of the large crowd.
    Her gaze landed on one striking visage
drifting above the sea of coifs and curls around him. Mr.
Lumley . His brown hair was perfectly styled, his cravat
elaborately tied. He spoke to someone at his side as they walked
her way, but his companion was not visible through the crowd.
Joanna’s stomach quivered when he smiled down at the lady. She knew
it had to be a lady because of the way his eyes laughed. He looked
up, catching Joanna’s stare, and his eyes brightened even more. He
guided the young woman at his side around a clutch of giggling
wallflowers.
    Joanna refused to admit her heart dropped
seeing how pretty the lady on Mr. Lumley’s arm was. She cared not
if he’d escorted someone to the ball or found a willing partner for
whatever entertainments he had planned for the evening. The
gentleman was not her concern. Schooling her features, she smiled
politely as the couple stopped before her.
    The lady spoke. “Lady Joanna, my brother,
Mr. Lumley, has asked to be made known to you.”
    Her brother? Looking more closely, she saw a
resemblance in their coloring, slender build, and the laughing
glint in their eyes. She realized she’d met Lady Hannah, along with
a dozen or so other young ladies, at a tea upon her arrival in
London. “Mr. Lumley, Lady Hannah, how lovely to see you both
again.”
    “I felt our meeting yesterday did not
qualify as an introduction. Lady Hannah mentioned having met you at
Miss Brown’s tea, so I begged her assistance.”
    “Yes.” Joanna turned to Lady Hannah. “I
didn’t recognize you at first. I’ve met so many people so quickly,
I’ve difficulty matching names to faces. Is your mother here?”
    “Yes, but she’s sitting with one of her
friends, so my dear brother volunteered to escort me around the
room to find you. He is so good to me.”
    Joanna wondered what cataclysmic events
would have to transpire for Robert to come to her aid thusly.
Thankfully Mama’s good spell continued, and as long as Mama enjoyed
these evenings Joanna was unlikely to find herself at his mercy.
Aunt Ophelia attended almost as many assemblies as Joanna, so she
would step in happily if the need arose. “You are lucky to have
such a kind brother.”
    Mr. Lumley brushed aside his sister’s
praise. “Lady Hannah has a partner for the next set, but I find
myself in need. I’m certain your card filled first thing this
evening, but I can’t risk not asking. Is there a chance you’re
free?”
    For a moment she couldn’t draw a breath.
He’d sought an introduction and wanted to dance with her. After
riding off so abruptly when she’d caught his horse. He was the last
man she would expect to see at the ball, much less dance with. But
he was inordinately handsome and his family well thought of, so it
might raise her standing in the eyes of others to be seen on his
arm. Not to mention, she couldn’t refuse him without causing a
scandal. “Yes, I am free.”
    He responded with a half smile that sent a
wake of warm ripples throughout her.
    Lady Hannah spoke. “My brother tells me you
enjoy riding. None of my friends in London cares for it. Would you
allow me to join you one day?”
    “That would be delightful. I often ride
alone for that very reason.” In truth, other than Amelia, Joanna
had only a few friends in Town, and none had been raised around
horses like she had. They preferred to be seen sporting about in a
curricle, or some gentleman’s phaeton.
    Lady Hannah’s next partner arrived and began
conversing with her, and Mr. Lumley moved to Joanna’s side. He bent
to speak near her ear. “I must thank you again for catching
Triton.”
    Joanna smiled politely, wickedly trying to
remember if he’d actually thanked her at the time. “It’s really
nothing more than I would have done for anyone. Any horse, for that
matter.”
    “You must be quite the horsewoman. I don’t
know that I’d allow my sisters to ride Triton, or