Love Finds Lord Davingdale by Anne Gallagher Page A

not say you did
not find the woman captivating.”
    “Captivating from across the room, yes, I
will grant you that. ‘Twas nothing but tedium when introduced. Has
a penchant for cats and told me all about her Persian or Alsace or
some other such nonsense.” He gave a slight shiver. “Could never
abide the creatures. The only reason God made them is to catch mice
in the barn.”
    “Come now, Thomas. Lady Dorcas was not that disappointing, was she?”
    Thomas raised an eyebrow. “Will, I have known
you how many years? First at school, then with the regiment, which
makes nearly twenty at least, am I right?” He didn’t bother to wait
for William’s reply. “As my friend, a very good friend I might add,
can I not implore you to please keep your wife from trying to find
me a bride? I do enjoy Lady Pen’s company, by all accounts, she is
a delight, and a good bloke to boot, but this matchmaking must
stop. I am not ready for a wife at this particular juncture. I must
say, if she persists, I’m afraid I will have to forego any more
invitations.”
    “Now, Thomas, you know Penny. She is just
trying to help. There is nothing but goodness in her heart. She
feels everyone should be married, especially bachelors too long in
the tooth.” William stirred the embers in the dying fire. “I will
explain to her your feelings on the matter, but I cannot promise
you anything. She is like her aunt in that regard, seems to know
what is right for other people.”
    “Spare me from the Dragon.” Thomas rolled his
eyes. “That woman is a nuisance. Why does Pen have such a
predilection for behaving like her wretched aunt?”
    “Love, my boy. ‘Tis love. Penny loves her
aunt with all the fervor of a thunderstorm, and will do anything
for her, even to the exclusion of all else. Emulation is the
highest form of flattery, or so I’m told, so it seems my wife will
naturally follow in Lady Olivia’s footsteps.”
    “Well, the matchmaking must stop, or I
declare, I will never step in a house where your wife is present.”
He smiled weakly at his friend, for they both knew he would never
act on the threat.
    “I will present your case to her,” William
said. “But mind, I cannot promise anything.” He paused. “It would
behoove you to find your own wife, and then Penny would stop.”
    Thomas sighed. His ex-fiancé, Lavinia had
soured him on the state of matrimony. She believed him wealthy, he
believed her to be in love. When he found she had cuckolded him,
and demanded to know why, he’d been devastated by her chilling
response. “Why would I marry a cripple like you otherwise, if not
for your money?” He looked at women now with a disdainful eye.
    “You know I cannot. Not like this.” Thomas
tried to move his left arm. It didn’t budge.
    “All women do not see you as broken. I’m sure
there is a woman out there who would overlook your disability.”
    “Yes, although not one in Society. I have
been that route and do not wish to travel it again.” Thomas stood.
Finished with the conversation, he had work to do. “When do you
wish to begin moving the animals?”
    William stirred the fire once more and stood.
“I should think by the end of the week. I would like to get them
well and settled before the ball. You will attend will you
not?”
    “Of course, but I swear to you by all I hold
Holy, if your wife….”
    “I will make it clear to Penny she is under
no circumstances to match make in any way.”
    “Good.” Thomas strode to the door. “Thank
you, Will. I shall see you on the morrow then.”
    Walking to the stalls, Thomas knew Lady Pen
would have at least five women in attendance with whom she wished
to introduce him. He smiled. It would do her no good, for he was
not in want of a wife.

Chapter Two
     
     
    St. John’s Wood
    Thursday Next
     
    Thomas brushed the straw from his coat. His
tatty clothes hung loose on his frame, but he didn’t care. The
villagers had seen him thus many times. Still, he supposed the