英语小说：Destined To Last 节选 (The end)

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DESTINED TO LAST
by Alissa Johnson (fiction)

A Leisure Book
Published by Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
ISBN: 9780843962529
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"He is not...ideal." Kate's mother, now the dowager Lady Thurston,
stood at the library window and watched as Mr. Hunter disappeared
around the side of the house. "His behavior is most presumptuous."

Next to her, William Fletcher, head of England's War Department,
scratched at his bulbous nose. It was a thoughtful habit he was only
vaguely aware he possessed. "Hunter is a good man. I rather thought
you liked him."

"I do. Very much." His friendship with Whit, and his loyalty to the
Coles in times of trouble, had made Mr. Hunter an honorary member of
the family in her eyes. A sort of nephew, she mused. She didn't know
him well enough to think of him as a son. But she knew her daughter
well enough to be skeptical with William's notion of making Mr.
Hunter into a son-in-law. "And I am not above admiring a well-
delivered spot of presumption from an attractive gentleman.
However--"

"He stepped in front of a bullet for Whit, you know," William cut in
casually as he continued to look out the

She drew in a hard breath. "Someone shot at my son?"

"Your son was a soldier for a time," he reminded her. "I imagine any
number of people have shot at him."

Her eyes narrowed. The months Whit had spent on the continent were
not something she cared to remember. "And the circumstances
surrounding 'this' particular shooting?"

"Nasty bit of business in London a few years back. A Mrs. Georgiana
Clemens attempted to dissuade Whit and Hunter from arresting her
traitor of a hu*****and."

"A woman?"

William bobbed his head and watched a squirrel dart across the lawn.
"That's the trouble with new agents pulled from the nobility. They
never suspect the women."

"Mr. Hunter is not of the nobility."

"Indeed. He saw the pistol, pushed Whit away and took the bullet in
his side. Well, 'across' his side," he amended. "He insists it was
only a scratch."

"I see," she murmured, and ruthlessly shoved away the image of her
son having guns aimed at him. It didn't do to dwell on such things.
Nor was it advisable to act on the swell of gratitude she felt, and
the accompanying impulse to seek out Mr. Hunter and offer him
anything his heart might desire, including the hand of her only
daughter.

William turned from the window, his expression a bit smug. "And
there is no denying the effect he has on Kate."

"Kate appears to be denying it with very little effort," she pointed
out, mostly because she felt it wouldn't do for the man to become
overconfident.

"Bah." William waved that away, his confidence clearly unscathed.
"She merely gives herself ample opportunity to ignore it by avoiding
him."

Lady Thurston thought about that as she crossed the room to take a
seat on a settee. "Kate has never before shied away from matters of
the heart. Rather she has been quite diligent in seeking them out."

"It seems this time they shall have to be brought to her."

She smoothed the skirts of her bronze gown and thought of her soft,
romantic daughter, and the cunning and ambitious Mr. Hunter. "No."

"No? What the blazes do you mean, no?"

"Do watch your language, William. And I mean, no. Regardless of my
gratitude toward, and personal affection for, Mr. Hunter, I do not
believe him the best match for Kate."

"He is."

"He is not."

"He..." William straightened his shoulders. "Mrs. Summers is in
agreement with me."

"Mrs. Summers is in the unenviable position of having to choose
between me, her friend, and the man with whom she has formed an
attachment. Naturally, she would agree with you."

He ran a hand through what remained of his hair. "That is not--"

"And Mirabelle agrees with me."

William took a seat across from her, sitting down with a huff. "Your
daughter-in-law is nearly always in agreement with you. You've
raised an outspoken group of young women."

She smiled at what she considered a compliment. "Indeed, I have."

"Two for Mr. Hunter, and two against. We are at an impasse."

"I am Kate's mother," she said and gave a small sniff. "My choice
takes precedence."

He gave her a bland look. "I am the man with a deathbed promise to
the late Duke of Rockeforte to fulfill."

"Matches for five children," she remarked with an amused shake of
her head.

"'Love' matches for five children," William corrected with just
enough derision in his voice to make perfectly clear his opinion of
the endeavor. "Which is why it must be Mr. Hunter."

"Mr. Laury is a far more suitable candidate. He is a charming but
earnest young man, and his romantic nature will appeal to Kate. They
even share the common interest of music."

"It's Mr. Laury you want, is it?" William fell silent for a moment,
and tapped his finger on the arm of the chair. "I suggest a
compromise," he eventually announced. "We try them both. See which
of the two fits."

Lady Thurston rather thought that plan made the gentlemen sound like
bonnets, but she couldn't argue with its practicality. "How?"

"I believe your Mr. Laury has made mention of attending Lord
Brentworth's house party next week?"

"He has, yes."

"I'd planned to send Hunter on a mission to Cornwall, but upon
further reflection, I've decided his services would be put to better
use at Brentworth's."

Lady Thurston nodded in understanding. "I shall see to it Kate
attends."

"Well, then." William's smug smile returned. "May the best match
prevail."


Paperback - Read ends on page 16.