Read The Story of a Baron (The Sisters of the Aristocracy) for Free Online

but Ballantine was in search of more satisfying fare. Nothing fictional, he had decided the night before, but rather something to help with a particular problem. Hence, his trip to his favorite bookshop, The Palace of Prose.
    The baron made his way to the third story of the shop, figuring the book he sought, In Pursuit of the Perfect Woman: A Gentleman’s Guide to Finding a Wife , would be mid-priced. At least, Thomas Christianson, the Earl of Atherton, had assured him it was affordable. Atherton had also sworn by the book’s recommendations, claiming to have used its advice to gain not only a loving wife, but one who came with a substantial dowry and a disposition that not only tolerated his mistress, but encouraged him to take another. “You never know when the first one will tire of you, dear,” she’d apparently said, “So it’s best to have another waiting in the wings. Or between the sheets, I suppose.”
    Matthew wasn’t sure if he believed his friend’s recollection of Lady Atherton’s position on mistresses, but the man did have money with which to gamble at Black’s. Although Matthew didn’t gamble to excess – he couldn’t afford to do so given his limited means – he thought it would be an improvement for his position in Society to stay at the gaming tables longer than half an hour once a week.
    The baron stopped in his tracks as he reached the top of the stairs. Although it was too early for most shoppers of the famed bookseller, the third floor could claim at least one other on this pleasant day.
    One of the female persuasion.
    A female who was rather beautiful, in fact. Lit from above by a skylight and dressed entirely in pink, she appeared almost angelic as the beams of light cascaded around her. Although her head was bent over an open book and somewhat shadowed by the brim of her pink bonnet, her profile suggested she was young but at least of marriageable age.
    As Matthew Winters regarded the tall gel at the end of the hallway, he thought she seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place where he might have met her. In a ballroom, perhaps, or maybe she had been perched on a phaeton parked outside of Hunter’s Tea Emporium.
    The thought reminded him that he’d promised his mother he would escort her to Hunter’s for an ice sometime that week. Given the fair weather, he figured he had best fulfill the obligation sooner than later. If it rained, he’d be forced to enter the premises and endure being introduced to every available unmarried daughter of the peerage.
    Well, a number of them anyway.
    The shop wasn’t large enough to accommodate all of them.
    The baron made his way past the shelves featuring books on botany and physiology and around a table on which was an artfully arranged display of books on keeping a household.
    Convinced the woman was about to take her leave of the book shop, Matthew was determined to introduce himself before she did so.
    Passing the sportsman’s section, he paused to glance at a book on fly-fishing. He was about to open the slim volume when he noticed the woman motioning toward one of the lounging rooms. He was nearly in greeting distance when her lady’s maid suddenly appeared in the doorway.
    Damnation!
    The woman turned and regarded him for only a moment, recognition suddenly apparent in her eyes. “Ah, Lord Ballantine,” the willowy blonde said as she held out her hand in his direction. The maid suddenly stepped back and pretended to study a book on art history.
    Stunned, Matthew had to force his mouth to stay closed. Apparently they had met in the past, but he still couldn’t put a name to the face. She was poised, not the least bit embarrassed about her height, and definitely not a milkwater maid. “My lady,” he answered as he took her hand and kissed the back of the pink silken glove. “You have me at a disadvantage, I’m afraid,” he admitted, deciding a bluff wouldn’t work.
    The woman, who sported a light pink pelisse and matching parasol,