Candice Hern
Page 71
Devil take it, he was going to have to think fast. "Bentham? Younger son of Worthing? Big, strapping chap with yellow hair?"
"Yes, that's him."
"I would steer clear of that one if I were you."
"Why?"
"I've heard the fellow has a hot temper and a violent streak."
"Lord Peter? I can hardly believe it. He seems like such a kind gentleman."
"Appearances can be deceiving. Most fellows are on their best behavior in public, especially around females. But one hears talk in the clubs. I would be uneasy if I thought you were involved with a man like Bentham. For my peace of mind, may we cross him off the list?"
"All right." Her voice was tinged with disappointment. Had she really been attracted to that great hulking oaf?
"Who's next?"
"Sir Dudley Wainfleet."
He chuckled softly. "You'll have no success there, my dear."
"Why not?"
"Just between you and me, the man is not particularly interested in women."
Her eyes widened. "You mean ..."
"Precisely. Cross him off. Who's next?"
"Robert Plimsoll."
He shook his head and laughed. "It is a good thing you sought my advice on this list of yours."
She lifted her chin at a challenging angle. "Is there some objection to Mr. Plimsoll?"
"Only that he keeps a mistress and their five children in a house in Hampstead."
She gave a little gasp of surprise. "You're joking? I never heard such a thing about him."
"Women never do. Sometimes not even wives know about their husbands' second families. Trust me, my dear. Every man of the ton knows about that house in Hampstead."
"Oh dear. How very frustrating. It is indeed fortunate that I asked your advice." She sighed and took a sip of wine as she looked down at her list. "Harry Shackleford?"
Adam frowned, but said nothing. This exercise was becoming more distasteful. The thought of any of these men with Marianne was intolerable.
"What? Is there something wrong about him, too?"
He shrugged. "Nothing specific. Just a gut feeling."
"And what does your gut say?"
"It may sound odd, but I don't like the way the man treats his horses."
A puzzled frown marked her brow. "His horses?"
"Yes. He shows no care at all for them, and is a tad too free with the whip and the spur. He is downright cruel to the poor beasts, running them until they’re lame. And I have observed that a man who mistreats his cattle often shows the same disregard for his women. I don't trust him."
A suspicious glint lit her eyes. "You think I should cross him off the list?"
"It is entirely up to you, my dear. I am only offering an observation."
"Hmm. All right then. Lord Rochdale."
Adam almost choked on his wine. "Rochdale?" he sputtered. The fellow was one of his closest friends and a notorious libertine. The very idea of Marianne and Rochdale together was simply not to be borne. The man would use her and toss her aside without a second thought. Surely she knew that. "You're not serious?"
She smiled. "No, I'm not."
He heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God.
"I only wanted to get back at you for objecting to every other man on my list."
"Wretch! You almost gave me an apoplexy."
"Serves you right."
Her dimples flashed and she looked adorable, all curled up and cozy in her shawl with her feet tucked underneath her like a girl. Funny. He'd never noticed what dainty feet she had. Despite Adam's best efforts, it seemed some lucky fellow was going to tuck those pretty feet in a very different posture and wrap himself around her better than any shawl. Damn.
"Now," she said, "shall we continue?"
"There's more?"
"Lots more. It's quite an extensive list, you see."
She held up the paper and it did indeed look like there were twenty or more names on it. Adam poured another glass of wine. It was going to be a long night.
* * *
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About the Author
Candice Hern is the award-winning, bestselling author of historical romance novels set during the English Regency, a period she knows well through years of collecting antiques and fashion prints of the period. She travels to England regularly, always in search of more historical and local color to bring her stories and characters to life.
Her books have won praise for the "intelligence and elegant romantic sensibility" (Romantic Times) as well as "delicious wit and luscious sensuality (Booklist).
Candice's award-winning website (www.candicehern.com) is often cited for its Regency World pages, where readers interested in the era will find an illustrated glossary, a detailed timeline, illustrated digests of Regency people and places, articles on Regency fashion, research links, and much more. It is the only author website listed among the online resources for the Jane Austen Centre in England.
Visit www.candicehern.com for more information on all Candice's books, including excerpts and a look "behind the scenes" of each novel.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
A PROPER COMPANION
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
A CHANGE OF HEART
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
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Historical Romances by Candice Hern
About the Author