Loving Lord Egleton: A Regency Romance (Regency Matchmakers Book 3), Laura Beers [ap literature book list .TXT] 📗

comforted. It felt so natural to be in Martin’s arms, as if she had always belonged here. But this was just a temporary reprieve. She had no claim to his heart.

“You are braver than you believe,” he whispered in her hair.

“I don’t feel brave.”

“Then I will believe it for you,” Martin breathed.

Hannah felt buoyed by his words, and by his strength. “You are a good friend, Martin,” she said as she dropped her arms to her side.

“Didn’t I promise that we would always be the best of friends?” he asked with a smile.

“You did, but we were much younger when you made that promise.”

“It makes it no less true,” he assured her.

“I am glad to hear that.”

Martin offered his arm. “Shall we return to the dining room?”

“I think that is a splendid idea.”

Hannah’s eyes opened as she heard the birds chirping merrily outside of her window. She pulled a pillow over her face, muffling the incessant sound.

The door to her bedchamber opened and her lady’s maid exclaimed, “Good morning!”

She removed the pillow. “Good morning.”

“You have managed to sleep through breakfast, but I brought up a tray for you.” Sarah placed the tray on the dressing table.

“That was most thoughtful of you.”

Walking over to the armoire, Sarah pulled out a blue gown and held it up for her inspection. “I thought this dress would do nicely for your picnic today.”

“Yes, I suppose it would.” Hannah sat up and put her legs over the side of the bed.

Sarah eyed her curiously. “Whatever is the matter?”

“It is much too soon for a picnic.”

“Is that so?”

Hannah rose and walked over to the dressing table. As she picked up a piece of toast off the plate, she replied, “Lord Charles and I hardly know one another, and it makes it rather difficult with Lord Egleton always around.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Lord Egleton can be rather infuriating.”

Sarah smiled. “Is that so?”

“My plan was simple,” Hannah said. “Lord Charles and I would take walks in the garden, carriage rides through Hyde Park, and then he would offer for me.”

“And you want Lord Charles to offer for you?” Sarah asked.

“I do.”

“But what of Lord Egleton?”

Hannah took a bite of her toast and chewed it thoughtfully. Knowing her lady’s maid was waiting for her response, she finally admitted, “Lord Egleton intends to court another.”

“Oh,” Sarah murmured. “I am sorry to hear that.”

“There is no need to apologize,” Hannah declared. “Lord Charles is precisely the type of man I want to marry.”

“I know, but—”

Hannah continued as if her maid hadn’t spoken. “There is no use in dwelling on unpleasant things,” she asserted. “I could be very happy with Lord Charles.”

Sarah gave her a skeptical look as she walked over to the bed. “Shall we dress you?” she asked.

“I think that would be a splendid idea.”

A short time later, Hannah exited her bedchamber and headed down the stairs.

Cooper greeted her as she stepped off the last tread. “I was just informed that Mrs. Williams has prepared a basket for your picnic today.”

“Wonderful,” she replied. “I shall go down and retrieve it.”

Before she departed, a knock came at the main door. Cooper walked over and opened it wide. “Good morning, Lord Egleton,” he greeted.

Martin stepped into the entry hall and a smile came to his lips as his eyes landed on her. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here.”

“I was just on my way to the kitchen to retrieve the basket for the picnic,” she informed him. “Would you care to join me?”

“I would,” Martin said as he approached her. “I must say that you are looking enchanting today.”

“Perhaps you should save some of that flattery for Lady Emma,” she suggested.

He reached for her gloved hand and brought it up to his lips. “I assure you that there is enough to go around.”

“You, sir, are entirely too sure of yourself,” she said, slipping her hand out of his.

Martin brought a hand up to his chest, shaking his head in feigned disappointment. “You wound me, my dear.”

“I think not.”

“You certainly know how to keep a man humble.”

“I’m afraid it is the only way I find you tolerable,” she joked.

He chuckled. “You are a minx.”

“If we do not go and collect the basket soon, we might still be bickering when Lord Charles and Lady Emma arrive for the picnic.”

“I believe bickering with you may be my favorite pastime.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Then I encourage you to pursue other hobbies, my lord,” she said sweetly. “Perhaps you should try boxing.”

“I already box.”

“Whist, then?”

He puffed out his chest. “I am quite good at whist.”

“Is there anything you are not good at?”

Bringing a hand up to his chin, he rubbed it thoughtfully before replying, “I don’t believe there is one thing that I do poorly. I suppose excellence is a curse I must bear.”

“You poor lord,” she teased.

“Thank you for that,” he replied, lowering his hand down to his side. “I’m glad that someone finally understands my plight.”

Hannah laughed. “Come along,” she said, spinning on her heel. “I want you to meet our cook, Mrs. Williams.”

As they walked down a hall towards the servant’s quarters, Martin glanced over at her and asked, “Do you often go down to the kitchen?”

“I do, nearly every day,” she replied.

“I find that surprising.”

“How so?”

“I am just having a hard time imagining you spending any time in a kitchen.”

Hannah came to a stop outside of a door. “That is very closed-minded of you,” she replied. “I am very dear friends with Mrs. Williams.”

“Frankly, I do not even know the name of our cook,” Martin admitted. “Mother just hired a new cook after she dismissed the previous one.”

“Mrs. Williams has been with us since I was a little girl, and she became almost like a second mother to me after my parents died.”

“I had no idea.”

A wistful smile came to her lips. “I used to bring my needlework down here and practice next to the hearth in the kitchen while Mrs. Williams would cook our meals,” she shared. “She even taught