A Curious Heart (Love Vine: A Regency Series) Read Free

aristocracy and despite being over thirty, birthed three more children.
    As such, Alana was just two years younger than Gordon and eight years the elder of Allie herself.
    Originally, Lady Grace, had been approached to sponsor Allie's come out. In truth, Allie had begged her father not to have Lady Grace and had suggested her aunt as an alternative. It had been touch and go for some time, her grandmother being inclined to 'do her duty by the girl' as she'd put it to Gordon.
    Only by the grace of divine intervention did Allie escape being chaperoned by that harridan. A bout of indigestion—followed by a severe cold—had kept the elder to her estate in Hampshire. Not that Allie wished illness on anyone, of course, but she couldn't help a small feeling of guilt-laden relief upon hearing the news.
    Lady Alana had been all too happy to step into the breach, fond as she was of London Society. Considered a spinster at the ripe old age of six and twenty, she declared quite frankly she'd long since given up the notion of making a match and was eager to see her niece established properly.
    Lady Alana was not displeasing to look at. On the contrary, she resembled her mother closely and had a flair for fashion that quite set her apart from the ordinary. She'd also inherited her mother's quick intellect, which had put off her suitors—men being inclined to want a wife that at least appeared slow-witted even if she were not.
    What she hadn't inherited from Lady Grace was the cruel streak and total self-interest that had given the family a dread of the older woman. Lady Alana, though a bit tenacious, was wont to care for others. She did, however, dislike having anyone know of her sentimental side—lest she be called upon to demonstrate such at inconvenient times.
    Though Allie—prone to romanticisms—thought her aunt secretly mourned the loss of the married state and had longed for children of her own, one would never know it by the lady's behavior. A close-mouthed, private woman, Lady Alana would by no means reveal her innermost feelings to the world, but Allie was a great studier of persons and fancied she'd a talent for reading people's inner thoughts.
    To Allie, an admission of decrying her unmarried state would be appalling at the very least, and so she thought her aunt must feel the same.
    * * * * *
    Across the room, Rothburn and Sir Gordon stood together sipping their brandy. As Rothburn's eyes roamed the area they eventually fell upon the graceful figure of Lady Alana and there they stayed. "Your aunt is certainly an attractive woman—wonder she hasn't been snatched up by some besotted peer before now. Why haven't I met her before last night? Been to your country home twice this last year. Never saw her once."
    Rothburn's gaze, having darted to Sir Gordon's face,  returned to the lady in question, his eyebrows drawing together in a frown as he puzzled over her unmarried state. "Does she have a deformity, perhaps, that is not readily apparent?"
    "Not that I am aware of." Sir Gordon gave a short laugh, "But, if you were to spend a few moments in her company you might find out that her flaw is not a physical one—"
    His voice trailed off as Rothburn gave him an irritated—almost angry look. He continued on a more serious note, puzzled by his friend's reaction, "Lady Alana has spent a deal of time traveling these last few years. Hates to be home, so much conflict with Grandmamma, you know."
    "Hard to think of her as your aunt," Rothburn murmured, still gazing at the beauty. "She and her momma disagree, you say?"
    "Those two women are worlds apart and yet so similar. Uncanny it is. You wouldn't believe the quarrels they have. Alana is very strong-minded. Likes her own way, but then again so does Grandmamma.
    "Gives Champlay a devil of a headache once Alana's been home a few days—all the snipping at one another the pair indulge in. Pity the man who marries her! Of course, some men prefer a woman who—ah, knows her own mind.