A Most Unconventional Match by Julia Justiss Page B

have a cosy dinner and perhaps go on to the theatre.’
    â€˜Sorry, Mama, can’t,’ Hal said, holding his mother’s gaze steadily. ‘Glass of wine, then leave. Might have managed if invited earlier,’ he added.
    It never failed to irritate him that his mama, who claimed to be so meticulous about social niceties, thought nothing of summoning him at the last minute. As if he could never be committed to something of more importance than whatever she wished him to do.
    â€˜Leave?’ she repeated, frowning. ‘Surely your evening plans can accommodate having dinner with your closest kin.’
    â€˜Prior business,’ he informed her.
    She made a moue of distaste. ‘Can you not confine meeting with Cits and merchants to daylight hours? Evenings should be reserved for mingling with your peers.’
    â€˜Are peers, actually,’ he replied. ‘Chelmsworth and Montague. Dining at White’s.’
    Since both men held seats in the Lords, she couldn’t find fault with their breeding or the fashionable ton location. But his mama wouldn’t give up that easily. Hal waited to see what other objections she could manufacture.
    â€˜I suppose I must approve, for once, your choice of company,’ Mrs Waterman allowed reluctantly. ‘We’ll have to forgo the theatre, then. Send a note to White’s and tell them you’ll join them later.’
    Hal shook his head. ‘Waiting dinner for me. Most impolite, send excuse at last minute.’
    He had her there, Hal thought. Apparently conceding the point, she said, ‘Oh, very well. It would not do to give offence to men of their prominence. Perhaps you can spare the time to have some sherry with your mother?’
    Ignoring her sarcasm, Hal took the glass Holmes handed him. He’d managed, with less difficulty than he’d anticipated, to avoid having his evening commandeered. Now he hoped his luck would hold and he could make his exit before Lady Tryphena arrived, sparing him the need to converse with her. That comment about her helping Mama to improve his speech had not yet lost its sting.
    â€˜But I am most disappointed,’ his mother continued. ‘I had counted on having you and Lady Tryphena become better acquainted before Lady Cowper’s ball. Since you seem to have grown so exacting about your social obligations, ’tis fortunate I solicited your escort for that so early.’
    So that was the reason behind the last-minute invitation. Euphoric as he was to have a valid excuse on this occasion, unfortunately he hadn’t yet come up with anything as foolproof to escape the ball. His mother would hardly deem his preference for dining at his club and playing a few hands of piquet a sufficient excuse to refuse her invitation. Still, one way or another, he intended to wiggle out of it, so he might as well incur her censure immediately by beginning to lay the groundwork.
    â€˜Not sure. New investment pending. Have other consultations. Best not count on me.’
    â€˜Business consultations,’ his mother said, dismissing those with a sniff. ‘I forgive you for tonight, since Lords Chelmsworth and Montague are both men of impeccable birth. But if I understand you correctly—never an easy feat—you’re saying that for the night of the ball, you haven’t a prior engagement with anyone of equal stature.’
    In the face of her direct probing, Hal tried to think of some reasonably truthful positive reply—and failed. ‘No,’ he admitted at last.
    â€˜Tradesmen and bankers can be put off to another day. So, shall we say seven?’
    Only desperation could have tumbled such an idea into Hal’s head. But anything was better than suffering through an evening in the company of Lady Tryphena the bring-him-up-to-snuff. ‘Not gentlemen,’ he said. ‘Lady.’
    His mother put down her glass and stared at him. ‘You have a previous engagement with