His Perfect Bride by Jenn Langston Page B

him I thought it was a splendid dinner and everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves as well.”
    “He didn’t notice anything because his interest centered only on you. How could you attract him and he not notice my presence?” Sarah seemed genuinely puzzled and upset by Mr. Gregory’s lack of regard. “Please excuse me, I must check my hair.”
    As she stalked away, Brianna could see Sarah’s calculating expression and almost laughed at how everything was turning out. Mr. Gregory would never know the gift Brianna had bestowed upon him, for Sarah could not stand the thought of a gentleman not admiring her. Knowing Sarah’s determination, she would attempt to obtain his attention.
    Since Brianna no longer considered Mr. Gregory a marriage prospect, pairing him with Sarah seemed to be a perfect solution. With a few comments to Mr. Gregory, Brianna was confident his attention would turn in Sarah’s direction. The tricky part would be convincing him to keep any interest he had in Sarah to himself. As Brianna contemplated how to achieve it, she joined a group of ladies, trying to appear as though she was taking part in their conversation.
    When the gentlemen finally decided to leave their port and cigars to rejoin the women, Brianna sought out Mr. Gregory, anxious to put her new plan into place. One smile at him, and he started in her direction. Leaving her mother’s side, Brianna went over to the window, expecting him to follow.
    “This is a wonderful gathering, is it not?” Brianna asked when Mr. Gregory approached.
    “Yes, everything has been very agreeable.”
    “I was speaking with Sarah Kamins only a moment ago, and we are both pleased at the success of the evening as well. Have you had the pleasure of meeting her?”
    “Not as of yet. I find introductions are not as easily acquired as one would expect.”
    “Well, that is probably for the best.” Brianna shook her head in mock pity. “Did you know she abhors attention of any kind? The poor girl has to endure being the focal point at her parents’ urging. She puts up a good façade, although she would prefer to be ignored.”
    “That is rather odd.” He looked in Sarah’s direction.
    Brianna had noticed Sarah watching them, so she turned to gauge her reaction. When Mr. Gregory made eye contact with Sarah and quickly turned away, the confusion on Sarah’s face was almost comical.
    The remainder of the evening turned out to be amusing for Brianna. She could not have been more pleased at how everything progressed. It was obvious Sarah intrigued Mr. Gregory, and the comments Brianna continuously made about her only seemed to increase his interest. He worked hard at ignoring Sarah, and Brianna saw the steps Sarah made in response to attempt to secure his regard.
    When it was time to leave, Brianna actually felt disappointed. She had always been impatient, and she had to stop herself from asking Sarah what she thought about Mr. Gregory.
    The next day, as she sat at her dressing table, Brianna still could not contain her amusement at the events of the previous night. It would have been a perfect morning if not for the sense of dread filling her at her prospect of the upcoming meeting with the Marquis of Stonemede. She knew after the introduction, her mother would use every opportunity to push them together until the marquis completely devoted himself to her. After that, there would be no escaping him, and her dream of freely painting at her quiet house in the country would be obliterated.
    Considering her mother’s determination, there was only one possible way of avoiding that fate, but it would not be easy. She would need to become betrothed or unattainable in some way. Thoughts of Richard assailed her, and she smiled at the idea of him as her husband. He obviously had an interest in her, or he would not have gone along with her unorthodox plan. The next time she saw him, she determined to obtain more than a simple kiss from him. Perhaps with a little