A Proper Companion Read Free Page A

ages.
After all, you have been on the town for years and years, with
mamas throwing their daughters in your path since you inherited
your title. What brought about this sudden capitulation, my
boy?"
    "Nothing very extraordinary, my dear," the earl
replied. "But you are right. I have been on the town for too many
Seasons. As you are well aware, it was my disgust—no, indeed my
terror—of those mamas you mention that has caused me to avoid the
parson's mousetrap at all costs."
    He paused as Barnes brought in a fresh pot of tea
along with slices of plum cake and tiny apricot tarts. The dowager
poured a cup of tea and handed it to the earl. He took a
restorative swallow.
    "I recently celebrated my thirty-fifth birthday, as
you know," he continued. "And I suddenly realized that I could now
legitimately be considered middle-aged." His mouth twisted in
distaste. "I concluded that it was time to finally take that
dreaded and long- avoided plunge into matrimony in order to produce
an heir."
    "At last!"
    "Just so. As you know, I have never experienced a
serious emotional attachment to any woman, at least since the age
of seventeen. Once I had determined to marry, I was therefore not
very particular in my criteria for a bride. I required only that
she be young enough to bear my children, have a respectable
background, a spotless reputation, and at least passable
looks."
    "That's it?" the dowager squeaked. "Why, any number
of women could have answered those requirements."
    'True. The field was wide open, in fact, despite my
... er... reputation. But then I realized that I would prefer that
she not be a giggler or a chatterbox. That eliminates half the
Season's crop. And I cannot abide a watering pot. You see how the
field narrows. And I would have no patience with a clinging vine.
So now very few candidates remain. I would especially prefer that
she be practical and businesslike in approaching marriage. I would
be most uncomfortable with a female who fell head over heels in
love with me when I know I could never reciprocate such depth of
feeling. I wanted a woman who could accept me on those terms
without reproach. And I believe I have found just such a one.
    "For the first time in my adult life I decided to
take a serious look at what the Season had to offer. You will be
astonished to know that I even went so far as to grace Almack's
with my noble presence. You know how I hate that place and its
self-righteous patronesses. But it was actually at Almack's that I
first met Miss Windhurst. Augusta."
    He paused to take a sip of tea, then continued. "She
is nineteen years old, and her background, on her father's side at
least, is unexceptionable. She also happens to be very
beautiful."
    The dowager nodded. "I am not so removed from
Society that I am unaware Miss Windhurst is this Season's
Incomparable."
    "Yes, she exceeds all my requirements in that
respect. An added bonus, so to speak. She is also elegant, cool,
and supremely aloof. I have no apprehension about her
sensibilities. She does not giggle, chatter, whimper, swoon, or
cling. She suits my requirements down to the last peg, so I lost no
time in paying court to her. We have been much in each other's
company during the last month. Two days ago I spoke with her
father, who gave me permission to pay my addresses to her." He then
reached over and took his grandmother's hand. "I am truly sorry, my
dear, that you had to learn of my betrothal through the Gazette . I had every intention of breaking the news to you
myself. Indeed, I have come to Bath for just that purpose. I assure
you, I had no idea the announcement would be made public so
soon."
    "No doubt," Lady Bradleigh said with a sneer. "I
suspect, however, that your future mother-in-law was anxious to
make everyone in the ton aware of her great good luck in
settling her daughter as a countess. What a triumph for her!"
    Lord Bradleigh's face became grim, although his eyes
twinkled with amusement. "Now, Grandmother. You must try