The Earl's Wallflower Bride (29 page)

Her mother gasped and stopped so she could
turn to her. “What would you think if I told you that all those
conversations you and your father have about investments shouldn’t
go on for days at a time?”

“That’s different. Money is important.”

Her mother opened her mouth to protest until
she caught the teasing gleam in Iris’ eye. “Why, you’re a wicked
one. Please tell me Opal is like other ladies, that she enjoys
dressing up in beautiful gowns and adorning herself with
jewelry.”

Putting all jokes aside, she smiled. “Mother,
I have a feeling you and Opal will be as well matched as Father and
I are.”

With a cheer, her mother continued to lead
her out of the drawing room. Iris called out a quick good-bye to
her father, who was chuckling.

By the time, the carriage pulled up to Iris’
townhouse, her mother flung the door open and jumped down. She
turned back to Iris and waved her forward. “Come on, Iris. We
mustn’t delay. It takes a long time to get an entire wardrobe that
every London lady needs.”

That point was debatable, but Iris wasn’t
going to ruin her mother’s good mood. The poor lady had to bear
with a daughter who couldn’t care less about the latest fashion. It
was only right she finally got someone to dote over.

Iris emerged from the carriage and walked up
the steps with her mother, inwardly smiling as her mother rambled
on about how different colors could best flatter a lady’s
complexion.

They got to the door just as someone called
out to Iris. Iris glanced over her shoulder and saw Bethany
hurrying over to them. They waited until Bethany reached them
before going into the townhouse.

After Iris told the butler to get Opal, she
led them into the drawing room. “Would you like to join us for an
afternoon of shopping?” Iris asked Bethany.

“I’d love to go shopping,” Bethany replied,
“but I’ve been worried about you.”

“Didn’t you get my missive?” Iris asked.

“I did, but you only said you were abducted,
taken to Warren’s estate, and that he came to your rescue.”

“You did leave out a lot of details,” Iris’
mother agreed.

“I said everything that was necessary,” Iris
said.

Her mother’s eyes went heavenward. “Sometimes
you are too much like your father. There were a lot of details you
left out.”

“I figured I would explain everything when I
saw you, and I did.” Iris glanced at Bethany. “I’ll explain them to
you, too. If I were to write everything down, my hand would fall
off.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t exaggerate.”

“It would take pages and pages to tell it
all. It’s much easier, and more practical, to say it in
person.”

“All right.” Her mother nodded. “I see your
point.”

Bethany groaned. “You’re going to be the
death of me, Iris. I’ve been circling the street in that carriage,
waiting for you to return here so I could talk to you. When are you
going to tell me?”

“While we go shopping,” Iris assured her. And
since it was going to take all afternoon, it should be enough time
to give Bethany all the details she wanted.

The footman opened the front door, and Iris
heard Warren give him a greeting. She went to the doorway of the
drawing room and waved to let him know she was there. After he went
over to her, he gave her a quick kiss before saying hello to her
mother and Bethany.

Iris was sure her face was bright red from
the fact that he’d actually kissed her right in front of them, but
to their credit, they didn’t tease her about it.

“I didn’t think you’d be back so soon,” Iris
told him. “Wasn’t there anyone at White’s you wanted to talk
to?”

“There was,” he replied. “But I missed you
and wanted to come back early.”

“Oh.” She glanced at her mother and friend.
“I just invited them to take Opal shopping for some dresses. I
thought you were going to be gone until dinner.” She paused then
ventured, “I don’t suppose you’d like to join us?”

He grimaced. “As much as I’d like to spend
time with you, I’d rather not.”

“I understand,” Iris said. Had it not been
for the fact that this was for Opal and that her mother was excited
about it, she wouldn’t be doing this.

“We’ve been invited to a dinner party at
Malcolm Jasper’s in a couple days,” he told her. “It’ll be you, me,
Malcolm, Regan, Robert, and Bethany. I thought it would be nice to
spend an evening with some friends.”

“I’d love to go.” And she would. This would
be much better than having to endure an evening with Miss Barlow
and Miss Bachman. She glanced at Bethany. “Maybe this time we won’t
need to drink sherry to get through the evening.” Like they had the
last time they had to attend a dinner party with Warren and his
friends.

Bethany giggled at the secret joke, though
her mother’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion over what was so
funny.

Before Warren could ask her what she was
talking about, Iris asked, “Can we have them over here sometime for
a dinner party?”

He smiled. “Of course. Oh, before I forget,
there’s a captain who’ll be there, and Malcolm, Robert, and I are
thinking of doing business with him. I’ll have him discuss his
plans during the dinner, so you can tell me your thoughts on it
after everyone goes home.”

“Really?” Pleased, she placed her hand on her
chest. “You’d like my opinion on a potential investment
opportunity?”

“Yes. You’re the one who got an old Sovereign
due to a wise investment you made.”

The fact that his response was so
matter-of-fact touched her even more. “I can’t wait for the dinner
party!”

“I have a feeling more sherry will be
needed,” Bethany murmured under her breath, a chuckle in her
tone.

“That reminds me,” Warren said, looking at
Bethany, “you might want to get a special gown. Something
appropriate for a bride would be best.”

Bethany gasped. “Did you talk to Robert?”

“I’m not giving anything else away, except to
say he has something important to ask you this evening,” he
replied.

“That’s horrible. You ruined the surprise for
her,” Iris chided him good-naturedly.

“He didn’t ruin anything,” Bethany said. “I’m
just glad he’s finally going to ask. I was beginning to think I’d
never get a proposal out of him.”

“Well, there you go,” Warren told Iris. “All
is well.”

Opal came into the room, and Iris’ mother
went over to her. “I’m so happy to meet you! Iris had so many good
things to say about you. Oh, I should introduce myself. I’m Iris’
mother.” Then, without waiting for Opal to reply, she added,
“You’re very pretty. I can’t wait to see you in pinks and purples.
I bet those are your colors.”

“I love those colors,” Opal replied in
anticipation.

“We’ll see what we can find in those colors
before we move on to other ones,” Iris’ mother said. “You have the
kind of complexion that can accommodate many colors, and your
figure will work for just about any style.”

“She’s right,” Bethany agreed, rushing over
to Opal. “Once we get you in the right clothes and hairstyle,
you’re going to have gentlemen clamoring for you.”

“There’s no need to have them clamoring all
over her until she has her first Season,” Warren called out above
the excited talk between Iris’ mother and Bethany.

Iris’ mother turned to him and smiled
reassuringly. “We won’t have them clamoring until it’s time. We
promise.”

Warren glanced at Opal, who was giving him a
hopeful smile. He smiled at her in return and said, “All right.
Have a good time.”

“You’re a good brother,” Iris replied as her
mother and Bethany led Opal out the door.

Iris’ mother paused and called out, “Aren’t
you coming?”

“Yes, I’m coming,” Iris assured her.

Before Iris could leave with the others,
Warren took her hand and pulled her to him. “I love you,” he
whispered in her ear.

“I love you, too,” she whispered in return.
“I’ll miss you while I’m gone.” Then, on impulse, she gave him a
kiss before she hurried out the door.

Quick Author’s Note

Someone’s going to probably wonder why early
in the story, Warren thought of Opal as his half-sister but later
on, he thought of her as his sister. This was not a typo. I
intentionally did it because after Warren found out Opal wasn’t
like his stepmother and half-brother, he could fully accept her.
That is why she became his “sister” instead of his
“half-sister”.

Coming
Soon:

A Brand New Regency Series!

The Viscount’s Runaway Bride

(Marriage by Bargain Series: Book 1)

What Anthony Barlow, Viscount Worsley,
really wants is a wife who can excite him, but what he ended up
with was an engagement to his sister’s very annoying friend. So
when Miss Damara Onslow intercepts his carriage, he’s immediately
drawn to both her bold spirit and her beauty.

Even more exciting is the offer she makes:
money in exchange for marriage. More than happy to get out of the
marriage he was dreading, he agrees, and soon they are husband and
wife. Never once did he think to ask her why she was so eager to
get married, and the truth might be the undoing of them both.

Reserve Your Copy Today!

Don’t Miss the Books that Came Before The Earl’s
Wallflower Bride!

His Wicked Lady (Marriage by Arrangement:
Book 1)

Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell, is bored
with her life. Yes, she’s been more fortunate than most. She was
once married to a wonderful gentleman, and this love resulted in
her young son—a boy she loves more than anything. But even a son
can’t fill the void in her life. She misses having a husband, both
in and out of bed, so when she happens to come across a gentleman
at a ball who ignites her passion, she decides he’ll be her next
husband. And she’s not the least bit shy about letting him know
it.

Just as determined as Regan is to have Mr.
Malcolm Jasper for a husband, he’s equally determined to end up
with anyone but her. If he marries her, his life will be one of
chaos and scandal. He’s sure of it. After all, she’s much too
outspoken and flirtatious. So he jumps at the chance for an
arranged marriage, thinking once he secures a reputable and quiet
bride, Regan will leave him alone. Little does he know, though, his
sister and her two friends know Regan wants to marry him, and they
are more than happy to help Regan get what she wants.

Regan’s risk pays off. She manages to secure
him as her husband. Will the gamble pay off? Or has she just doomed
them both?

***

Her Devilish Marquess (Marriage by
Arrangement: Book 2)

Dr. Derek Westward has been happy living his
life doing everything possible to upset the Ton. Second to his
occupation, it’s one of his favorite pastimes. Then his brother
dies, and the worst thing imaginable happens. He inherits the title
of a marquess. Now he has to secure the future of his family’s
estate with an heir, and worse, he’s expected to be on his best
behavior, something he’s been unable to do since childhood.