Barbara Metzger Read Free Page A

his total unsuitability to take his place there. He pleaded his case over tea and tarts in the sun-filled parlor.
     
     
His doting parent looked at him over the rim of her cup. Nonsense. You can be a perfect gentleman when you wish. I raised you myself, didnt I? And your father might have been a country squire, but he would have been just as comfortable at the kings court.
     
     
The king is mad, Daniel muttered, realizing he was getting nowhere but to the last raspberry tart. So he reminded her about the fiasco at Almacks, and any number of other social solecisms hed committed, and might in the future. Hell, hed been thrown out of more bars and brothels than he could recall, but those were not tales for his mothers ears. I wont be any help to you getting Susanna established, you know. I never attend the ton parties or associate with anyone respectable enough to be considered a suitable parti for a gently bred female, much less their mamas. No one youd care to know sends me invites anymore.
     
     
Lady Cora set down her teacup and raised her chin. I assure you, the Stamfield name is enough to gain my daughter entry to all the best homes. If not, the Royce connection certainly is. No one would wish to insult the earl or the countess.
     
     
Lud, no. Aunt Royce was the starchiest female Daniel had ever known. She made the Almacks patronesses look and sound like cockney charwomen.
     
     
There. You see, with Aunt Royces backing, you do not need me.
     
     
Of course I do. We cannot go about with servants as our only escorts. What would people think, that Susanna is unprotected? Why, every rake and fortune hunter would believe they could take advantage of a young lady with no one to hold them to account.
     
     
His little sister? Daniel choked on the last bite of pastry, and wished he had something besides tea to wash down the bad taste left in his mouth. Id thrash anyone who dared show her the least insult.
     
     
His mother smiled fondly. Exactly. Not that you will, of course. But the possibility is enough to discourage anyone going beyond the line of what is proper. And you must be present and available to refuse honorable but unwanted suitors, also. You cannot expect Susanna to handle those awkward proposals. Or me. Heavens, no.
     
     
His mother could handle any number of callow youths, and give them biscuits and advice, besides. They all are unwanted, he grumbled, eyeing the empty platter. Susanna is too young.
     
     
Nonsense. I was her age when I met your father. In this very room, in fact. He came to call with one of his friends Id danced with. I knew he was the man for me as soon as I saw him. You have his strong build, you know, and his gentleness. I felt cherished just sitting beside him. Of course my father was here, too, to inspect and reject unacceptable callers. Anyone with dishonorable intentions would never have come through the front door.
     
     
Her father was the Royce who got headaches from lies. Of course hed send any scoundrels to perdition.
     
     
Dobbson can simply dismiss the undesirables. A proper London butler always knows wheat from chaff. If Aunt Royce hired him, he is bound to have the same haughty demeanor to set down any pretensions.
     
     
He is a servant, dear. You are Susannas brother.
     
     
And as her brother, I say she is too young to be speaking of suitors and proposals. Doesnt she want to attend a few parties first? At home?
     
     
She has been attending the local assemblies for a year now without settling on any of the neighbor lads.
     
     
Daniel snorted. I should think not. The millers sons and the apothecarys assistant? Or does she dance with that young curate with no chin?
     
     
The curate is of a good family, with a promising future, but now you understand why we came to London, Lady Cora said. She smiled as if Daniel were back in the schoolroom and had given the proper answer during a geography lesson.
     
     
He was still at sea. No, I do not understand why you