Two Beaux and a Promise Collection Read Free

wondering where I am – she just married my best friend, so I’m expected at the breakfast. We’ll stash you out of sight until I have time to think about your problem.”
    “I won’t return to Derrick.”
    “Of course not. What the devil was your father about to leave Herriard in charge of you in the first place?  He must have known the man is a scoundrel.”
    “He named Grandfather. But Grandfather and Derrick’s father died in a carriage accident a week after my father died, so Derrick inherited my guardianship along with the title.”  She still shuddered to recall those days. Her grandfather had wanted her to make the society match her mother had refused, though he’d long since come to terms with his daughter’s elopement. Derrick abhorred his grandfather’s acceptance of so base a union, but he’d been careful not to admit it while the old man controlled his allowance. Only after the accident had he shown his true colors, relegating his low-class ward to the attics and refusing to recognize their blood ties.
    “We will discuss alternatives later. Come along.”  He lifted her easily, then peeked out the chapel door to make sure the nave was empty before heading for the office and his horse.
     

— 2 —
     
    Richard was shaking with fury by the time he reached Hawthorne House. Their departure from St. George’s had not gone as smoothly as he’d expected. He had set Georgiana across his horse, then mounted behind her. But he’d hardly settled into the saddle before Herriard had attacked. If the man had been mounted, they would never have escaped. As it was, Herriard had caught Georgiana’s foot and nearly pulled her off. Only a sharp kick had freed her.
    Herriard was a menace and a disgrace to his breeding. He should never have been put in charge of an innocent maiden. But no one who might have objected had known about her. Once her mother had eloped with a merchant, she’d ceased to exist in society.
    It wasn’t the first time he’d questioned the dictates of his class. Young ladies ought to be more than breeding stock or assets to stave off financial disaster. Guardians should not have total control of their wards. Nor should parents. Society should protect girls from the Herriards of the world – or so he’d argued with Charles more than once.
    Georgiana was a prime example. Imagining her under Herriard’s roof made his blood boil. And Stagleigh would be worse. So lovely a girl was no match for a lecher. He had to protect her – and not just because it would let him pursue Herriard openly. She deserved more than a life of abuse.
    The question was how to proceed.
    Keeping her at Hughes House until he dealt with Herriard would expose his mother to Herriard’s spite. Not a price he was willing to pay; her health was too fragile. Yet there was nowhere else he could take her. He had no rooms of his own and lacked the means to lease something. Even an inexpensive hotel would cost too much just now – his pockets were empty until next quarter day, still two weeks away.
    His only option was to swallow his pride and beg help from his friends.
    “Stay here,” he ordered, laying Georgiana on the couch in Jacob’s study. “I must attend the wedding breakfast, but I will lock the door so no one can bother you. As soon as I can get away, we will discuss the next step.”
    “But—”
    “Relax. I won’t return you to Herriard. The man is a cad. But this is my sister’s wedding day. I cannot abandon her.”
    “Of course not.”
    “I’d rather keep your presence quiet for now, even from the staff, so I’ll bring refreshments when I return.”
    She nodded.
    He didn’t like to leave her alone, but he had no choice. Slipping the key into his pocket, he hurried toward the drawing room. Locking the door protected her, but it also protected him if he’d misjudged her – as occasionally happened. She could not rob Jacob and flee before he returned.
    “Where have you been?” hissed Emily as he