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

Miss Tremaine, sashayed in her direction. Ada folded her hands in her lap. Her stomach pinched. This woman was up to no good.
    “Enjoying the evening?” Miss Tremaine took a seat, fluttering a fan over her face.
    Ada nodded.
    “But of course you are. What girl wouldn’t be, lavished with the attentions of such a charming man as Geoffrey Buchanan. You must love him very much.” She leaned closer, the overpowering scent of her rose perfume making Ada’s nose twitch.
    “More than words can say.”
    “I know exactly how you feel. Ever since I first saw Geoffrey, when I was seven years old, I dreamed…” She lowered her lashes and pressed her lips together, with a sigh. “Well,
que sera sera.
I hope you both will be very happy.”
    “Thank you.” Ada had been around females long enough to spot a predator a mile away. Violet Tremaine was one such woman.
    “Where
did
Geoffrey say you two met?”
    “New York.” The words slipped from her lips before she realized her error. Newport—not New York. She nearly covered her face with her hands in horror. “I mean Newport. We first met there but became, er, better acquainted later in New York.”
    “Mm-hm.” A thousand speculations flashed through the brunette’s eyes. “You don’t happen to know Mrs. Millicent Hayward, do you?”
    Yes, but not in the way Miss Tremaine undoubtedly did. Last year, in an effort to earn extra money, Ada had assisted at an enormous fancy dress ball Mrs. Hayward had hosted. A memory flashed through her mind. That’s where she knew her! Violet Tremaine had dressed as Marie Antoinette, and Ada had accidently bumped into her while carrying an enormous tray, nearly dropping the array of cream puffs all over the woman’s ridiculous skirt. Uh-oh. She had to think fast. Violet Tremaine couldn’t remember her, too, could she?
    “Of the New York Haywards?” Beneath her gloves, Ada’s palms went damp.
    “So you do know her? I thought I recognized you from one of her soirees. She gives the most delightful parties, don’t you think?”
    “Divine.” Ada forced a pasty smile. If one didn’t mind that her French chef was a hellion to work for and her butler a lecherous snake.
    The door opened and the men entered the room. Ada breathed a sigh of relief as Geoffrey followed the group inside. With more eagerness than warranted for her role, she stood and rushed to his side. Though Miss Tremaine didn’t remember her, she should still stay as far away from the woman as possible.
    “Missing me?” Geoffrey placed his hand on her shoulder. The warmth of him radiated through the thin material of her gown. She sucked in a breath. He smelled faintly of vanilla cigars and the men’s cologne that always clung to him. Standing so near made her want to press herself against him, lean into his strength. Feel his arms around her, protecting her from the Violet Tremaines of this world.
    Stop.
The wine must have muddled her head. She didn’t want to be in Geoffrey Buchanan’s embrace. Wearing a corset so tight must be doing things to her good sense.
    “How did you know I liked motorcars?” A smile edged his lips.
    “I didn’t. I just guessed.”
    “I expect to take you out tomorrow morning. That is, if you’re ready to travel at ridiculous speeds?” His eyes sparked with amusement.
    “Oh, I’m ready.” She grinned.
    “Not in the least bit nervous?”
    She shook her head. “I’ve already trusted my future into your capable hands. One motorcar ride won’t make much difference.”
    His laughter teased hers. “I like having you trust me, Ada McClane.”

    The admiration streaming from Ada’s eyes gleamed brighter than the shining silver and black leather of the Daimler motorcar parked in the drive.
    She clutched her veiled hat with two fingers, the other hand resting on Geoffrey’s arm. In the past days, he’d discovered all the nuances of the hesitant, yet firm way she placed her fingertips on his sleeve. The way she sometimes led, sometimes