Read The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons for Free Online

need to be in high style and ahead of schedule.”
    Geoffrey suppressed a sigh. Hadn’t yesterday’s etiquette lessons taught her anything? Luxury was something his fiancée should accept without question, not exclaim over.
    His mother only smiled. “I’m so glad you think so. I’m very proud of my son’s achievements, as you must be, too.”
    Ada nodded vigorously. “Oh, yes ma’am. Your son,” she glanced up at Geoffrey, adoration in her eyes, “is a wonder. That’s why I’m head over heels in love with him.”
    His mother laughed. “How very sweet, my dear. Unconventional perhaps, but sweet.”
    Two words that fit Ada perfectly.
    Unconventional—and when she wasn’t fuming at him—very, very sweet.

Chapter 6
    A da hid a yawn behind her napkin. Dinner had been going on for what seemed like an eternity, course after course passed around by footmen wearing wigs. Gracious, those must itch.
    From what she gathered, these people had three favorite topics: themselves, their friends, and their money. All of which might make interesting conversation for about ten minutes but became an insomniac’s paradise after more than that.
    Such puppets, each a mirror image of everyone else. The women, all alike in their pastel dresses, diamond jewelry, and fascination with gossip. The men, penguins in white waistcoats, bow ties, and black tailcoats.
Their
conversation was slightly more engrossing, especially talk of the Spanish-American War and their European travels. But when the chatter turned to yachting, she blinked furiously, trying to keep awake.
    “J. J. Astor undoubtedly has the finest craft ever to sail the seas. I heard he did a great deal of the design work himself.” One of the men, Mr. Cadwell Rutherford, droned on.
    “The furnishings are simply divine, I hear,” commented one of the ladies, a willowy brunette wearing pearl teardrop earrings. Miss Violet Tremaine. Gorgeous enough to appear on the cover of
Harper’s Bazaar,
she had a face not soon forgotten.
    “Have you ever been on the Astor yacht, Miss McClane?” Miss Tremaine turned her gray-eyed stare on Ada. Those eyes… she’d seen them somewhere before. But where?
    Ada glanced at Geoffrey. He’d watched her attentively throughout the evening, probably fearing she’d make some terrible faux pas and destroy his plan.
    “I have not had that privilege.” She took a sip of wine. “However, I haven’t been in society for many months. I’m sure Geoffrey will take me out on his yacht, won’t you, dear?” She lowered her glass and gave Geoffrey the adoring smile she’d perfected over the past hours. Not that he needed it. All unattached women bestowed upon him equal views of their pearly whites.
    “Of course, darling. I’d be delighted to.” He gave her a smile full of promise, so blazing in its intensity that an equally bright flush braised her cheeks.
    It seemed so real, the way he looked at her sometimes. He ought to have taken the stage.
    “Perhaps tomorrow you could take me for a ride in your motorcar?” A random guess. Did he even have one? What if he hated the new amenity? Everyone but her would know that. Think her either uninformed or a sham.
    “I would like nothing more.” He grinned, genuine excitement in his eyes. Another point scored. She’d been right.
    Finally, dinner came to an end. The ladies all stood, and Ada followed suit.
    The dozen or so women formed a line and proceeded out of the dining room. Why were the men not following? Was it some society tradition for the girls to play follow-the-leader while the men continued to eat?
    They entered the library. Forming groups, the women chattered and gossiped in subdued tones while footmen brought around coffee and tea. As if anyone actually needed more to consume.
    Ada took a seat by herself in a corner. She’d never been with these people without Geoffrey nearby. What if she said or did something daft and he wasn’t there to warn her?
    The twig-thin, tawny-haired beauty,