A Magnificent Match Read Free Page A

wardrobe.”
    Lady O’Connell looked taken aback. “A wardrobe?” she faltered. “But I do not think—”
    “I could not possibly go to Princess Kirov otherwise, ma’am. Why, I have not been to a modiste in two years,” said Megan.
    “But a new wardrobe,” said Lady O’Connell. She shook her head. “It is out of the question, Megan.”
    “You would not wish the sophisticated gentlemen of St. Petersburg to stigmatize me as a dowd, Mother,” said Megan, gesturing down at her drab mud-splattered riding habit. “None of them would look at me twice unless I was tricked out in the very latest styles.”
    Lady O’Connell looked unhappy. “No, of course not. Very well, then, I suppose that I must accompany you to a modiste. It is very inconvenient. I have several friends coming to stay in a few days.”
    “I cannot conceive any reason why you should disrupt your own schedule for me, ma’am. Why do I not have Mrs. Tyler accompany me? She has quite good taste. You have said so yourself,” said Megan. “And since Colin is shortly to return to England, he may very well accompany me there.”
    Lady O’Connell brightened. “The very thing! Of course! Colin can have no objection. And dear Mrs. Tyler, what a dear she is. She will know just what will be best. Yes, that is the very thing.”
    “I will convey your wishes to Mrs. Tyler on the instant, as well as your insistence that she procure a few items for herself. I know that you will wish her to be well-provided for on the journey to Russia, as well,” said Megan. Her mind was working quickly as she tried to catalog everything that would be needed to accomplish such a long journey.
    “Do I?” Lady O’Connell looked startled.
    “I assumed, of course, that Mrs. Tyler would be accompanying me as a trusted chaperone on the journey. It would not be at all the thing for me to travel alone,” said Megan. “You have told me many times that I could not go up to London without someone trustworthy to keep me in hand. And Russia is a good deal farther away than London. Besides, I do not know what Mrs. Tyler would do with herself while I was gone. Perhaps she might make one of your retinue. But I do not think that is a happy solution.”
    “No, nor do I,” said Lady O’Connell, with perfect truth. Her widowed cousin was completely suitable to be her daughter’s companion, but she was scarcely a valuable addition to one’s own entourage. “You are entirely correct, Megan. I entrust you completely to Mrs. Tyler’s capable hands. She will know just how to look after you on the journey to Russia and will be your guide in all things proper.” She beamed at her daughter. “I am glad that it is all perfectly settled. Now you must be off to tell Mrs. Tyler the good news.”
    Lady O’Connell’s interest in the conversation was already waning, but Megan was not yet ready to be dismissed. She held her ground, determined to have all pertinent points settled. “Shall I have the modiste’s bills sent to you or to your man of business?”
    Lady O’Connell had already turned away. Her dresser had located the heavy garnet necklace for her inspection and the subject was already exhausted as far as she was concerned. Without glancing around, Lady O’Connell waved her hand in a dismissing gesture. “Send them to Henry, of course. I do not care to have anything to do with them. He shall take care of whatever transactions you may have.”
    “Very well, Mother.”
    Megan curtseyed and left the bedroom. A smile curved her mouth. She was slightly ashamed of herself for pushing forward her own interests so blatantly. However, Megan soothed the twinge of her conscience with the reflection that once she had made the decision to make the most of Princess Kirov’s invitation, it was imperative that she gain all that she wanted at this single interview. Once the question of Megan’s going to Russia had been settled, Lady O’Connell would not give the matter another moment’s