The Thoroughly Compromised Bride Read Free Page A

Emily assured him. “You must call and tell us everything. Poor lady, how she does suffer!”
    “Yes,” he agreed, “and bears it so well.”
    Miss Godwin shook her head in wonderment. “It is truly amusing!”
    Elizabeth choked. “Amazing, Aunt.”
    “Yes, I knew you would think so, too.”
    Lord Braxton now gave an arch smile and said, “I had almost forgot! Among my reasons for calling was a wish to learn if I shall have the pleasure of seeing you dear ladies at the concert this evening.”
    “How delightful that would be!” Emily cried enthusiastically.
    “I am not at all sure that I feel up to going out this evening, Aunt. Let us discuss it later,” Elizabeth said hastily.
    “My dear Miss Ashton, I should be most distressed to hear that you are not feeling quite the thing,” Lord Braxton told her. “I do hope your indisposition will not keep you from the concert. I shall look for you there and shall be quite disappointed if I do not see you.”
    At that moment, Wiggons appeared to announce the arrival of Mr. Charles Carlyle. The name was unfamiliar to Elizabeth, and she looked questioningly at her aunt. But before she could ask the question that hovered on her lips, their guest had entered the room.
    Elizabeth turned, and her breath caught in her throat as she found herself gazing at the most handsome man she had ever beheld.
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
    Considerably taller than the average, Charles Carlyle paused in the doorway of the morning room with an air of polite boredom, his glance slowly taking in the room and its occupants, and at last coming to rest on Elizabeth.
    He was dressed in tight-fitting breeches and highly polished topboots, his neckcloth was arranged to a nicety, and his coat of Bath superfine was exquisitely fashioned and fitted him like a glove. Yet no sartorial fussiness marred the elegance of his appearance.
    His black hair was brushed into the Brutus style and one unruly lock fell over his forehead, softening the otherwise austere visage with its slightly aquiline nose, high cheekbones, square jaw line and finely chiseled lips. All this Elizabeth saw before his intensely deep, blue eyes found and held hers irresistibly. For the space of several heartbeats they stood thus, until one of his dark brows arched questioningly, and his eyes narrowed in amusement.
    Brought abruptly back to an awareness of her surroundings, Elizabeth felt her cheeks suffuse with colour, and she could only be thankful when his attention was drawn from her by Aunt Emily, who exclaimed, “Oh, Charles! What a very pleasant surprise! But does this mean that Margaret is here in Bath? I had not expected it so soon.”
    The smile that Charles directed at Emily transformed his face, banishing all trace of arrogance and boredom, and bowing to her, he replied, “Why, yes ma’am, we arrived yesterday evening. My sister has charged me with delivering a message to you. She is all at sixes and sevens today getting settled in, but wishes me to tell you that she hopes to have all put to rights by tomorrow, and will call on you in the morning.”
    “So kind,” breathed Emily. “I shall so look forward to seeing her again. But where are my manners? Charles, you are equated with my niece, of course.”
    Charles appeared startled, and Elizabeth’s eyes danced as she interposed, “You mean acquainted, Aunt Emily.”
    “Yes, dear, that is what I said.”
    Charles looked at Elizabeth with both amusement and appreciation before answering Emily. “No, ma’am, I’ve not had that pleasure.”
    Emily frowned in puzzlement, saying, “No? I made sure... well, no matter. Elizabeth, this is Lady Langley’s brother, Charles Carlyle. Charles, my niece, Elizabeth Ashton.”
    By this time Elizabeth had recovered sufficient composure to extend her hand to him, and with a coolly polite smile, said, “Mr. Carlyle. How do you do?”
    He raised her hand slowly to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers and murmured, “Very well indeed. Miss