Page 21 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
His mind filled with the image of her gleaming eyes and bright smile when she spoke of running away to become a pirate. She was only teasing, of course.
He hoped.
His lips twitched. And the sound that escaped could have been a laugh or a grunt of exasperation…
Or perhaps it was a little of both.
7
Felicity typically welcomed surprises, but in this case, a little warning might have helped her composure.
“I don’t…” Her mouth flapped open and shut. “I don’t understand.”
Her mother was already setting down her teacup and motioning to her maid to gather her things.
She’d been in Felicity’s great uncle’s home for all of ten minutes, but she’d said what she’d come to say and apparently had no time to dally over an actual conversation.
Panic gripped Felicity by the throat. “But, I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
Her mother paused, her brows arching in surprise. “I thought I’d made myself clear. Your father has found a husband for you.”
“I—what?! But who?”
“Lord Bargedale.” Her mother huffed with impatience. “Really, Felicity, you must learn to listen better.”
Felicity’s mouth flapped again and she felt like a fish with her bulging eyes and gaping lips.
She had listened. She just hadn’t believed what she’d heard.
“But Lord Bargedale…”
Is ancient. And mean.
And old enough to be my grandfather.
And also…just plain mean!
Her mother didn’t pause to wait for Felicity to speak. And Felicity didn’t bother finishing. Her mother likely knew all these things, as did her father.
Pointing out his flaws would only make her mother annoyed and impatient. So Felicity drew in a deep breath and tried to think.
Be reasonable, that was what her mother always said.
Reasonable. She could do that. “Mother, we’d agreed that I’d have this Season to make a match?—”
“And how has that been going, hmm?” Her mother’s pinched lips held the answer.
Not good. Not good at all.
Her mother sighed, bustling about to leave as she spoke. “Do you think your father and I haven’t been paying attention? I have friends everywhere, dear, and what we’ve heard is most discouraging.”
“But—”
“All of your friends have found a match. Why, the eligible men of thetonare being snatched up quicker than a blink.” She tsked, not even looking at Felicity as she donned her wrap. “And what have you done? Sit in a corner? Surround yourself with wallflowers and outcasts as usual?”
Her mother headed to the door. “Your father thought it might help your stubborn willfulness if we gave you a say. I told him it was a silly plan from the start. Now look at you. All of your friends have done as they were told, and you are the last woman standing.”
“The Season is still well underway,” Felicity started.
