Page 50 of A Mismatch Made in London

And he was handsome, with blond hair and blue eyes, lips that were usually smiling, and a deep voice that was very pleasing. I could see by the way ladies gazed at him that they found him handsome as well. And he seemed to be deliberately singling me out.

Once I caught Lord Gotthurst staring at us. My heart squeezed with pain, but I refused to mourn him. I could not have been in love with him, I told myself, as I barely knew him. But I did like to think that he very much regretted he had to give me up due to his mother’s disapproval.

Mr. Harper had said that his grandfather had been in theshipping business, so he would not have been so proud as a baron or other peer of the realm. His family could not care as much that I was not so wealthy as some. My father was a gentleman, with tenants and a good income. That would, hopefully, be enough for a gentleman like Mr. Harper. And he didn’t seem to mind my country manners. In fact, he had said my manners were pleasing.

On the way home from the ball, I noticed Mr. Beaumont staring at me and frowning. What had I done now? But Juliet looked happy.

“Mr. Shelley danced with me two times. And he said he would call on us tomorrow. And he also said he wishes to invite us to his country house for a fortnight. What do you think, Jeremy?”

“He said the same to me. Shelley is a good sort of fellow.”

“What do you think his intentions are?” Juliet seemed almost unsure of herself, something she rarely, if ever, was.

“I have always known Shelley to be forthright and honest, a good man. I believe his intentions are to discover whether or not you and he are compatible, and if he decides you are, then he will ask you to marry him.”

Juliet had a trembly smile as she let out a long sigh.

Juliet’s smile grew as she said, “And Amelia has made quite a conquest tonight, it seems. Mr. Colin Harper danced with me once, and all he could talk about was Miss Moore, how beautiful she was, her kind and sweet disposition. He asked me, ‘Is she truly as good as she seems?’ To which I replied that she was quite as kind and wonderful as he could imagine.”

I ducked my head and tried to stifle a giddy laugh. I cleared my throat and said, “I liked Mr. Harper. He is very charming.”

“Like? Charming? I should think you would like him! And he is very handsome to go along with charming, and he is to inherit his family’s fortune. He knew that you were staying with us, so he asked if he might call on us tomorrow. Quite the conquest.”

“I would not call him a conquest. I dislike that term. But I did enjoy talking with him.” And dancing with him.

“Yes, I could see that.” Juliet smirked. “And I daresay men use the word conquest about women far more often than we use it about a gentleman.”

“Be careful with that one,” Jeremy said. “He is charming, but I don’t trust him.”

“Excuse me?” I felt the heat rise to my head. “What right have you to judge him?” Was he trying to put doubts in my head about the man? After his interference concerning Lord Gotthurst, he could hardly have the right to say anything.

“I am not judging him. I—”

“Jeremy, why would you say such a thing?” Juliet said. “I’m beginning to think you don’t like anyone who dares to show an interest in Amelia.”

Even in the dim light of the carriage, I could see Jeremy glare at his sister. “That is unnecessarily incendiary, Juliet.” There was a warning tone in his voice. “I just wanted to put Miss Moore on her guard. There have been rumors about Mr. Harper, and he—”

“Rumors?” I sat up straighter. “That is gossip.”

“Jeremy, how unkind of you to spread gossip.”

“It isn’t gossip that I have seen him myself at the gaming tables, and ... I do not wish to speak ill of anyone. Perhaps he has changed.” He turned his face to the window.

I was furious. Did he want me to be unhappy? I’d thought perhaps he had changed when he intercepted Lord Gotthurst at the ball and kept him from saying anything further that would make me cry and embarrass myself, but he was deliberately putting unfavorable thoughts in my head about a polite and charming young gentleman who had paid me proper and particular attention.

We all rode in silence the rest of the way home.

I wanted to say something about how people do change, orthat rumors usually don’t convey the whole truth. It was annoying that now Jeremy had planted a seed of doubt about Mr. Harper’s integrity. I wanted to enjoy his attentions, to believe he was a good man. And I decided I would do just that, unless otherwise proven.

14

Jeremy paced alone in his room after they arrived home from the ball. It was late—nearly dawn, in fact—but he still couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about Miss Moore dancing with Colin Harper.

It was true, he had no real proof to offer that Mr. Harper was anything but a normal gentleman’s son, a little profligate, but no more so than most. He sometimes drank to excess and liked to place rather extravagant bets, but he lost no more and no more often than many others. But there was a rumor that he had ruined a young woman, which had produced a child. The woman was the daughter of a tradesman, and he had paid just enough money to get it hushed up. Jeremy didn’t know if it was true or not, but even if it wasn’t, he didn’t think the man was good enough for Amelia Moore. She was innocent and kind and deserved an exceptionally good man, someone who would love and respect her, not someone who only wished to use her.

He blew out a breath. She was under his roof and was his sister’s best friend, and that must be the reason he felt so much concern for her. He knew she generally disliked him.

He recalled how she had looked, like a frightened deer, ready to bolt, when Gotthurst started walking toward her at the ball.He knew Gotthurst well enough to know he was probably going to beg Miss Moore’s forgiveness for not introducing her to his mother.