A Proper Companion Read Free

fierce bear
hug, and then swung her through the air like a young girl.
    "Put me down, you fool! I am an old woman!" she
snapped, although her eyes gleamed with delight.
    Lord Bradleigh returned his grandmother to earth and
planted an affectionate kiss upon her cheek. "Old woman?" He
grinned. "Ha! You are forever young, my dear heart. You look
wonderful."
    "You have not lost your charm, I see." The dowager
glared up at him, still somewhat breathless. Without warning her
eyes darkened, and she reached up and soundly boxed his ears. "How
dare you!" she said.
    Completely startled, Lord Bradleigh stammered,
"W-what is this?" while he rubbed his stinging ears.
    "As if you did not know. Emily, show him."
    Emily had observed the unusual scene with amusement.
Failing to completely suppress a smile, she offered the Gazette to Lord Bradleigh.
    He turned, and for the first time noticed Emily's
presence. He hesitated a brief instant as his eyes caught hers,
full of amusement but with a hint of caution. He turned to the
dowager with a questioning look.
    "I beg your pardon, my dear," she said. "This is my
companion. Miss Emily Townsend. Emily, this is my impudent and
surprisingly foolish grandson, Lord Bradleigh."
    Lord Bradleigh turned to Emily and bowed. "Your
servant, Miss Townsend."
    Emily nodded and dipped a tiny curtsy. "Lord
Bradleigh." She smiled as she held out the crumpled Gazette .
He returned her smile with a look in his eye that caused her knees
almost to buckle as he took the newspaper from her hand. So
that's what it's like , she thought , to be stared at by a
rake . It was a most unsettling experience.
    Lord Bradleigh glanced down at the Gazette ,
and his eyes immediately caught the announcement of his betrothal.
"Oh," he said blankly.
    Clearly he hadn't yet seen the announcement, though
he did not appear entirely surprised. A fleeting expression of
irritation crossed his face. Emily guessed that his unexpected
visit to Bath was to let his grandmother, the Cameron family
matriarch, know of his plans, and he would not be pleased that his
future in-laws did not have the courtesy to wait until the Cameron
family had been informed before sending an announcement to the
papers.
    Or was she reading too much into a momentarily
furrowed brow, and making hasty judgments based on the dowager's
low opinion of the Windhurst family?
    "Oh? Is that all you have to say, Robert? Oh ?"
    Emily tensed as the dowager bellowed. This was
likely to be a very uncomfortable conversation.
    "Please sit down, Grandmother, Miss Townsend." Lord
Bradleigh led the dowager to a small settee by the window.
Charlemagne scrambled up on her lap. The earl reached down and
tickled him behind the ears. " Bonjour, mon petit carlin. Veilles-tu sur ma
grand'mère ?" he
whispered to the pug.
    Emily smiled at this gesture. Everyone who was
acquainted with the dowager was quickly made to learn that the pug
must be addressed in French, as the dowager was convinced he
comprehended only his native tongue.
    Despite her curiosity about Lord Bradleigh, she had
no desire to be a part of what was sure to be an awkward meeting.
This was a family matter and none of her concern. She excused
herself to allow the dowager privacy with her grandson, saying that
she must speak with Mrs. Dougherty, the housekeeper, about
arranging rooms for the earl. She would also have fresh tea sent
up.
     
    * * *
     
    After Emily departed, the dowager turned to her
favorite grandson. "So. Are you ready to explain this proposed mésalliance ?"
    The earl grinned. "Now, dear love, do not be so
quick to judge."
    "You have not developed a grand passion for the
chit, have you?"
    "No, of course not."
    "Then you lost another one of your silly wagers and
were forced to make an offer?"
    "No."
    "Good God. You compromised her!"
    "No!"
    "Well, then, what?" the dowager asked, her hands
flying up in exasperation. "You never even mentioned you had
intentions of marrying, though God knows I have wished it for