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

and Martin, so we don’t need to take on any additional clients this Season.”

Edward groaned. “Does this mean I will need to attend more social events than previously planned?”

“That it does,” Kate replied. “We can’t very well let Hannah go unescorted.”

“No, I suppose not.” Edward pushed back his chair and rose. “If you will excuse me, I will be in the study.”

After Edward departed from the room, Kate gave Hannah a pointed look. “Do you want to inform me of the real reason you are interested in matrimony?”

“I already told you—” she started.

Kate waved her hand in front of her, stilling her words. “I know, but I find myself curious at the timing of it all.”

“Oh?”

“Martin asks us to help him find a bride, and then you are suddenly interested in getting married this Season,” Kate pointed out.

Hannah gave a half-shrug. “It is a mere coincidence.”

“Is it?”

“Besides, I previously mentioned I was interested in matrimony before even speaking to Martin,” Hannah pointed out.

Kate gave her a look that implied she didn’t believe her. “I must pose the question, as I do with all of our clients, has your heart been disposed to another?”

“Why would you ask that question?” Hannah asked.

“I would be blind if I did not notice how you act around Martin,” Kate said.

Hannah tensed. “Meaning?”

“It makes me wonder if you hold him in high regard.”

Hannah removed the napkin from her lap and placed it onto her plate. “I do hold Martin in high regard, but only as a friend,” she lied, rising, “and I do not like your insinuation.”

“I meant nothing by it,” Kate replied.

“I would like to remind you that I am not your typical client,” Hannah stated. “I am your sister.”

Kate gave her a weak smile. “Forget I said anything,” she said. “I spoke out of turn.”

Hannah came around the table. “Consider it forgotten.”

“Thank you.”

“If you need me for any reason, I shall be in the drawing room with my needlework,” Hannah informed her.

Once she’d left the room, Hannah rested her back against the wall and released a sigh. She had never lied to her sister before, but she wasn’t left with much of a choice. If she’d revealed her true feelings for Martin, Kate would have never agreed to help her find a match this Season.

She was confident that once she found someone new to occupy her thoughts, she would start to forget about Martin.

Martin felt the coach jostle as it rolled down the street. His intention was to call upon Edward, but he also wanted to see how Hannah was faring. He couldn’t forget the expression on her face when he had asked for her to help secure him a match. It had been filled with a profound sadness, one that he couldn’t decipher.

He had always felt a responsibility towards Hannah, ever since they were children. She was an innocent in so many ways, and he had always enjoyed being in her presence. At times, she could be quite reserved, but whenever she rewarded him with a smile, it felt as if he had secured a small victory.

Which is why he felt uneasy about Hannah’s reaction the night before. He couldn’t exactly determine why that was. He had tossed and turned all night as he tried to solve the puzzle, but it was in vain.

The coach came to a stop in front of the whitewashed, three-level townhouse. As he walked towards the main door, it was opened, and the stout butler greeted him with the usual smile on his lips.

“Good morning, milord,” Cooper said as he stepped to the side to allow him entry.

Martin stepped inside. “Good morning. Is Lord Berkshire available for callers?”

Cooper nodded. “He is in his study,” he informed him. “Would you care for me to announce you?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“As you wish,” Cooper acknowledged with a tip of his head.

As Martin started towards the rear of the townhouse, he glanced into the drawing room and saw Hannah on a settee, her attention focused on the needlework in her hands. He changed course and stepped into the drawing room.

Hannah didn’t glance up as he walked further into the room. He came to a stop next to the settee and watched as she diligently embroidered her initials onto a white handkerchief. Taking a moment, he admired her enchanting face and how her lips were set in a hard line as she focused on her task.

Martin decided to speak up and make his presence known. “Good morning, Hannah,” he said in a low voice.

Hannah let out a little gasp as her wide eyes came up. “You startled me,” she declared.

“That was not my intention.”

“No?”

He shook his head. “I saw you sitting here and came to inquire about how you are faring.”

“I am well,” she replied promptly.

He studied her for a moment. “Are you?”

A line between Hannah’s brows appeared. “Whyever do you ask?”

“I just wanted to ensure that I didn’t say anything that might have offended you last night,” he said with a timid smile.

“You didn’t.” Her words sounded forced.

“That is a relief.”

“In fact, Kate and I have decided to help you find a bride,” she revealed.

Martin’s smile grew. “That is wonderful news.”

Hannah kept her face expressionless as she continued. “We generally require our clients to go through a series of lessons, but we don’t believe that will be necessary for you.”

“I am pleased to hear that.”

Rising, Hannah said, “We will need to discuss the particulars of your situation, including the attributes you are looking for in a potential match.”

“I imagined that would be the case.”

“We can’t promise that we will find you a match in such a short period of time, but we shall try our best.”

“I do appreciate that.”

Hannah placed the handkerchief on the table. “Are you prepared for the strenuous process of being matched?”

He gave her a cocky grin. “I believe I can handle my own.”

“That’s good, because we don’t have time to coddle you.”

“I assure you that no coddling is necessary,” he joked.

She didn’t appear amused by