A Certain Magic

A Certain Magic Read Free Page B

Book: A Certain Magic Read Free
Author: Mary Balogh
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considerable bulk, in order to catch up first one of the female travelers in his arms and then the other. He kissed both loudly and was seen to be beaming with goodwill.
    “Lucinda!” he said to the older lady. “Come on inside and have some tea and cakes. There is nothing to wear one down more, is there, than two nights spent at inns. Did you bring your own bed linen as I advised you to do?” But he turned to the younger lady without waiting for an answer. “Cassie!” he said. “Looking as fine as fivepence and good enough to eat. Come to town looking for a husband, have you? Trust your uncle to find you the finest one to be had.”
    “Brother!” the elder lady said, taking his arm in a determined hold and drawing him in the direction of the front door. “The tea will be very welcome, though Cassandra should avoid the cakes. We were forced to spend three nights on the road because of the rain.”
    The Honorable Miss Cassandra Borden followed her mother and her uncle into the house.
    “So,” Mr. Bosley said as soon as servants had handed around tea and cakes and withdrawn from the drawing room. He smiled fondly at his niece. “Getting ready to take the town by storm, are you, Cassie? You are quite pretty enough to turn all the right heads even as you are. By the toe I have decked you out in all the most expensive finery, there won’t be a prince in England not on his knees to you.” He laughed merrily.
    “Oh, Uncle!” the girl said, blushing and staring into her cup.
    “We don’t necessarily want a prince,” Lady Margam said briskly. “But living in the country with Margam gone and not a feather to fly with is not finding Cassandra any husband at all. We want someone respectable and well set up.”
    “When she is the daughter of Lord Margam and niece of one of the wealthiest merchants in London?” Mr. Bosley said, looking at his sister in some surprise. “Come, come, Lucinda, we can do a great deal better than that. You would like something better than a respectable husband, wouldn’t you now, Cassie? Eh?”
    “If you please, Uncle,” she said, not looking up from her teacup.
    “As pretty as a picture, “ Mr. Bosley said, gazing with genial fondness at his niece. “You did well by yourself, Lucinda. You can gain entrance to all the most tonnish affairs with no trouble at all. All you need is some of my money to set you and the girl up, and there is plenty of that. After all, you are my only sister and Cassie is my only niece. What else are family for?”
    “I am much obliged, brother,” Lady Margam said. “But Margam was never one to spend a great deal of time in town. I do not know how we are to be in receipt of any invitations, I am sure.”
    “I have connections,” Mr. Bosley said. “There are people who owe me favors.” He chuckled merrily. “And money, too. I can get the girl taken on. But is there no one you know, Lucinda? It would be so much better if you could gain entry into society on your own account.”
    “No one,” she said. “There was only Lady Henley, Margam’s aunt, who is now deceased, may God rest her soul. And Mr. Trentley, his cousin, who is in America, if I do not mistake the matter. And Mr. Westhaven, his particular friend at Cambridge, who may be deceased, too, for all I know.”
    “No, he is not though,” Mr. Bosley said. “Westhaven? Heir to Lord Berringer? He is in town and much sought after, too. I have been sniffing around me for the last month or so, since I knew Cassie would be coming to find herself a husband. Westhaven is on the lookout for a wife.”
    “He was Margam’s particular friend,” Lady Margam said. “When we were first married and living in Cambridge, that was.”
    “Then you must renew the acquaintance,” Mr. Bosley said, beaming. “He will escort you to some grand do, Lucinda, and Cassie too, of course. He will bring her into fashion. This could not be more fortunate.” He rubbed his large

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