His Perfect Lady Read Free

feeling as though every eye focused on the purplish-red stain running down her blue dress.
    “Excuse me, Uncle Toban,” she said, coming up behind him.
    “Ah, Catherine, there you are. We were just discussing you. Lord Dudgery said how he’d been waiting for an opening on your dance card.” Uncle Toban clapped an older gentleman on the back. “Do you think you can make space for him?”
    “I would love to, but perhaps another time. I’m ready to depart.”
    “Give us a moment, Dudgery. I must speak with my niece.” He took her arm and led her away from the crowd. “Is this about your dress?”
    “In part,” she admitted.
    He smiled down at her, a twinkle in his eye. “I saw the whole thing, and I believe you should be flattered by the attention. As a debutante in her first season, Lady Evelyn should have no reason to be jealous of a woman your age. However, your beauty outshines every diamond in the room.”
    “Thank you.” Her cheeks burned at the compliment.
    “You’re not going to allow her insecurities to ruin your evening, are you?” He cocked a brow at her, a challenge in his gaze.
    His eyes pled with her, bringing her to the point where she almost agreed to stay. Then images of Lord Jonathan, the new Lord Linwood, wrapped around that woman invaded her thoughts. Straightening her back, she looked directly at her uncle.
    “There is more. Lord Linwood is here.”
    Uncle Toban’s eyes widened as they ran over the occupants of the room. When his gaze settled back on her, she knew she had won. He would not insist she remain here.
    “I was assured by a reliable source that he does not attend events like this. Are you certain it was him?”
    “Completely.” Although she wished her memory of him didn’t shine so clearly, she had never succeeded in putting him out of her mind. The more she tried, the more his image solidified within her. Lord Linwood was a difficult man to forget.
    Her uncle’s efficiency pleased her. Less than ten minutes after seeing Lord Linwood, she sat in the carriage. The quick exit didn’t appear to damage Uncle Toban’s jovial state, as he could not cease from recounting all the new acquaintances he’d made over the evening.
    “Your aunt would have loved this. If only her health would improve.”
    She nodded in agreement, although she suspected illness had nothing to do with her aunt’s condition. Ever since she’d learned of her son’s gambling addiction, she hardly ever left her chambers. Catherine wondered how her uncle managed to continually settle all of Kenneth’s debts, but she never found the courage to ask.
    When her father died six years ago, her uncle had inherited the title of Baron Berwick and all its entailments, which were not many. However, she never noticed a shortage of funds. In addition, Uncle Toban didn’t pause at the opportunity to visit London in hopes she would find another husband.
    “What about you, my dear?” he asked. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
    “I did, until the end, that is.”
    “Of course.” He shifted on the seat as if he’d forgotten the reason why they had to make an early exit. “Has any gentleman caught your eye yet?”
    She laughed. “We have only been in London for a few days. I daresay it will take longer than that for me to find someone.”
    “You never know. You could walk in a room and with one look know that is him. From some of the comments I received, or overheard this evening, a few gentlemen feel that way about you.”
    Part of her wanted to tell him to pick one for her and get this over with. She could not endure seeing Lord Linwood everywhere she went. Not after what she did to him all those years ago. If he confronted her, she would be forced to marry the first man she saw and return to the safety of the country.
    Her choice of betrothed didn’t matter. Regardless of who he was, her husband would die.

Chapter 2
    “Are you going to tell me what happened last night?” Stanwick’s voice broke through