Pretty Poison by Lynne Barron Page B

wasn’t aware that any such letter had been sent.”
    “How did you think Aunt Margaret instructed me to set sail across the ocean to meet the man she’d chosen for me?” Miss Calvert asked with feigned confusion.
    “I knew of no such thing,” Veronica insisted, casting a nervous look through her lashes at Nick.
    “Of course you did, Ronnie,” Miss Davis cried and Nick was taken aback by the animation upon the lady’s normally placid pretty face.
    “Didn’t you, not five minutes ago, tell me that I’d missed my chance?” Miss Calvert asked. “And after Aunt Margaret had him all but sewn up?”
    Veronica jumped to her feet with a murmured “Excuse me,” and marched out of the room.
    “Oh dear,” Miss Davis whispered.
    “Was it something I said?” Miss Calvert asked.
    “I’d better go after her.” Miss Davis rose and followed the other lady out of the room.
    “She’s not the right lady for you anyway,” Miss Calvert informed Nick and he saw the merriment in her eyes, watched as a smile transformed her face.
    “Which one?” he asked, unable to restrain an answering smile.
    “Both,” she answered. “Neither.”
    “Is that so?” He couldn’t help but laugh at her cheek.
    “Lucinda Davis is too timid by half,” she declared.
    “And Miss Ogilvie?” he asked.
    “Ugh, she’s only after the connection. Her father’s a merchant,” she explained. “Not that there is anything in the least distasteful in that. Da’s a merchant when you get right down to it. But she is looking to purchase you and the entrance into the upper echelon that comes with you.”
    “And that is bad, why?” he asked, fascinated by her nimble mind.
    “She’ll never let you forget that it was her fortune that saved your family,” she replied. “I realize you must marry an heiress, but surely there are nicer ones to choose from. What about Miss Sanderson?”
    Nick followed her nod across the room to where Adelaide Sanderson stood talking with his father. She was a striking lady with sable hair cropped short to frame a heart shaped face. Her hazel eyes were wide set, giving her the appearance of perpetual surprise.
    “You think I should set my cap on Miss Sanderson?” Nick asked, pretending to consider her words. Not a chance. He had a fair idea just whom he would set his cap on. And she was sitting right across from him.
    “She seems an intelligent lady. She’s the granddaughter of Captain Billings.”
    “Is she?”
    “The unsung hero of Waterloo,” she informed him.
    “You know your English history,” he complimented. “Not many English ladies know the names of any of the heroes of the Battle of Waterloo, save the Duke of Wellington, and here I find an American lady who knows of Captain Billings’ exploits.”
    “Oh, I know all sorts of useless information,” she replied. “It’s the curse of the over-educated lady.”
    “I don’t know that I’d call that a curse,” Nick said.
    “No, you wouldn’t. You’re a man. You’ve all sorts of opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge. Have you any idea how long I’ve had to wait to toss out that tidbit?”
    Nick laughed at the woeful look on her face.
    “What do you think?” she asked.
    “About?”
    “Miss Sanderson.”
    “I haven’t met the lady,” he replied.
    “No time like the present,” she exclaimed, rising to her feet, forcing Nick to jump up.
    “What?” he asked in confusion.
    “Come along, Mr. Avery, your future bride awaits.” She tucked her hand around his arm and steered him across the room.
    “Miss Sanderson,” she greeted the dark-haired lady. “Mr. Avery and I were just discussing your grandfather and he informed me that he has not had the pleasure of making your acquaintance.”
    “Oh,” Miss Sanderson replied with a smile.
    “Mr. Avery, may I present Miss Sanderson.” Miss Calvert spoke with perfect formality and no trace whatsoever of the charming accent she’d possessed only moments before.
    “A pleasure,” he