A Question for Harry Read Online Free Page B

sister-in-law who was not technically the only daughter of an American robber baron. She had a sister.
    “ Wolves, Granny?” Fiona addressed her grandmother with a low chuckle. “Nay, they are not wolves but sharks. See how they circle me, like a tasty bit of bait in these frigid waters? Every one of them ready to devour me.”
    Fiona smiled flirtatiously at a passing gentleman, even going so far as to hold her fan in front of her face with her left hand to indicate in the age-old language of the fan that she desired his attentions. Though the man nearly tripped over his own feet as he turned to watch her, he still did not approach, proving her point. “My brothers have become the shoals that protect me and keep me safe, and you as well, Granny, as colorful as an anemone that enfolds me. Little do my brothers know that their behavior is counterproductive to their edict that I let myself be courted –and so is yours, Granny. One cannot court where one cannot first meet.”
    Lady Hyde’s lips pursed. “Evelyn,” she said tightly aside once more. “Your influence upon my dear Fiona has made tremendous strides these past several years. She can be everything that is proper and demure, a true lady … when she wishes to be. However with such unseemly outbursts continuing, I fear that her more rebellious nature is not to be contained.”
    Eve smiled serenely and offered ruefully, “I did try to beat it out of her again and again, my lady, but to no avail. At least she no longer indiscreetly hangs out over the balcony at the theater to call greetings to her friends and wave at random gentlemen.”
    Lady Hyde snorted indelicately as Fiona beamed fondly at Eve. There was a reason Eve was one of her favorite sisters-in-law. “Thank goodness for small favors,” the elderly lady said, taking Eve’s hand in hers and patting it lightly. “Indeed, my granddaughter’s more flamboyant displays are now thankfully largely confined to the privacy of her own home. Quite unlike your behavior, dear girl, when you had your first Season here.”
    Eve squeezed the dear old lady’s hand between hers and winked at Fiona. “I blame my American upbringing, of course. Why with your tutelage at a younger age, perhaps it might not have taken me quite so long to become a proper lady.”
    “Perhaps not . Perhaps not,” Lady Hyde patted Eve’s hand again, as if her words were not blatantly tongue-in-cheek. “Though you are now, of course.”
    Eve winced but added smoothly, “As Fiona will surely be one day as well.”
    Lady Hyde only raised a brow but did not verbal ly concur. Not that Fiona expected her to, of course. She’d long been a trial to her grandmother, especially in the unhindered years between her mother’s death and Richard’s marriage to Abby. Perhaps Lady Hyde might have taken her more firmly in hand when Fiona’s mother died if she hadn’t been mourning the death of her only daughter, her only child, and things might have been different for Fiona now. She might be more ladylike, more subdued, but she was not and was, admittedly, thankful for it. In truth, she was rather glad to have been raised as she was.
    It had made her who she was … exasperation to her grandmother and all.
    Dear old thing …
    “Posture, Fiona!” Lady Hyde prodded Fiona with the point of her fan once again, effectively poking away any tender sentiment that might have hovered in Fiona’s mind.
    She scowled at her grandmother, lips parted for a retort when Eve shifted uncomfortably by her side.
    “Lady Hyde, I am feeling a tad fatigued after all this standing. Would you mind terribly if Fiona helped me to those chairs on the far side of the room?”
    “Not at all, Evelyn,” Lady Hyde allowed grandly . “I have said it before and I shall say it again, it was quite wrong of my grandson to bring you out so soon. Away with you!”
    “She’s said it about a thousand times,” Fiona whispered fiercely as Eve took her by the arm and led her away .