Read The Kiss of a Viscount (The Daughters of the Aristocracy) for Free Online Page A

“Then how ..?” He looked down and read the card, his brows furrowing at the information. “How did you find out about this ‘Lady E’?” he wondered. Instead of handing the card back to his friend, George slipped it into his waistcoat pocket and continued dressing.
    Teddy shrugged, a movement made awkward by the lack of a right arm. “She found me . I’ve seen her before, though. In fact, I think I know who she is. But she sought me out. Left me the card. So, I met her at that address and a day later, I have my position. And, I’ll be getting a wooden arm next week. Some carpenter is carving one for me now. She saw to that, too.”
    George realized he’d been staring and tore his gaze away from Teddy’s empty sleeve. “And she’s paying for that as well, I take it?” The comment wasn’t meant to sound judgmental, but somehow it came out that way.
    Teddy stiffened at the tone in George’s voice. “As I said, I will pay it back. The charity exists to help us cripples get our old jobs back.” He paused when George seemed surprised at the comment, wondering then if his friend had misunderstood the name of the organization on the calling card.
    “And did you ask whose blunt is behind the operation?” George wondered, his expression softening a bit. He realized at once he should be happy for Teddy, but he couldn’t help but be a bit suspicious at the same time. There were dozens of charities in London that could claim they helped widows and their children, but none he knew of that existed to help find employment for wounded soldiers.
    “I think the only funding available right now is this woman’s own pin money,” Teddy replied.
    Pin money? Twenty guineas wasn’t exactly pin money ! As he buttoned his breeches, George considered his friend’s explanation. So a woman had founded a charity with the sole purpose of helping wounded war veterans gain employment. What was in it for her? “You say you know who she is?”
    Shrugging again in that way that seemed just a bit awkward, Teddy replied, “Yes. I think she’s Lady Elizabeth Carlington.”
    George’s head snapped up. “Lord Morganfield’s daughter?” Not too long ago, Josie had talked about the chit – thought he should marry her! He had never even met Lady Elizabeth, but overheard comments made at White’s led him to believe the young lady was unmarried, quite spoiled and very beautiful.
    The money to fund her little venture was probably coming from her father.
    “Yes. In fact, I am quite sure of it,” Teddy went on. “I once saw her at the theatre before I left for France. I wouldn’t have given her a second glance except that my older brother was quite taken with her and thought to court her. And then, a few months ago, she was at Lady Worthington’s musicale. She seemed to want an introduction, but some old biddy from Almack’s refused to allow it.”
    Frowning, George considered Teddy’s words. “Your brother thought to court the daughter of a marquess ? Aiming a bit above his station, wasn’t he?” he asked rhetorically as he folded his uniform. An attendant would see to its storage on his behalf.
    “I suppose, but why not? Her dowry is probably in the thousands. Who’s to say her father wouldn’t allow her a love match if that’s what she wanted?”
    Daddy’s only daughter would not be allowed to marry for love , George thought to himself. Not if David Carlington was the father. The man was one of the most powerful lords in Parliament. Despite the scandal that had nearly knocked him out of power all those years ago, the man was quite resilient and well-respected by his peers. He would no doubt be the architect of an arranged marriage for political gain. “Because you’re speaking of David Carlington,” George countered, his grin returning. “And unless your brother had some way to become a member of the ton , it’s rather doubtful he would have a chance in hell at becoming a Carlington son-in-law.”
    Teddy was forced