"Someone--a lady--says she's here to take you back to Stansworth house." "What the devil," Jack cursed and threw an armload of personal objects into his trunk. He'd said his farewells earlier in the day to his shipmates, and had already spent a fair amount of time the night before with his captain, complaining about his lot and attempting to drown his sorrows in stiff drink. All it had gotten him was a blazing headache and a shorter fuse. "Let her in, then," Jack said over his shoulder to Pug, who finally turned with a shrug. The boy returned moments later with a delicate vision of loveliness in a light spring dress and a beribboned and lacy bonnet. She had no business being dockside, let alone aboard The Flying Gull. A young maid and tall footman hovered just outside the cramped cabin in the equally cramped companionway. This should be most interesting. Jack straightened to his full height and had the momentary satisfaction of seeing his guest's eyes widen slightly before she recovered herself and managed a smile. "Mr. Elliot, then?" She stepped forward and extended her gloved hand. "My name is Lady Ivy Carlisle, daughter of Lord and Lady Carlisle, and I have been asked by your grandfather to...to..." "Make a gentleman out of me?" he said flatly. "Well, I'm certain you are already well on your way," she said and swallowed visibly. "Perhaps you might benefit from a few tips and suggestions. I understand your launch into society will formally occur at a ball once the Season is in full swing in one month's time." The lady was smooth, he'd give her that much. She was clearly nervous but managed to deliver her little speech with all the polish he would expect of a person of quality. It irritated him to no end. Excerpted from My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
