A Conformable Wife by Alice Chetwynd Ley

Author:Alice Chetwynd Ley [Ley, Alice Chetwynd]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2019-03-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVII

“Almeria’s brother is a most personable man, is he not?” asked Louisa when they were once more at home. “I suppose you met him occasionally while Almeria and he were staying at Aldwyn Court. Is he as agreeable as his looks suggest?”

“My acquaintance with him is really very slight, but, yes, he is certainly agreeable.”

“I did not think you could have known him very well. You had so little to say to each other. In truth, there seemed a certain coldness in your reception of him. Is there perhaps something about him which you don’t quite like?”

“No such thing. As far as my knowledge of him goes, he has everything to recommend him that a gentleman should have: good looks and address, an estimable character. And moreover, a sister of whom I’m especially fond. There, will that satisfy you?”

Louisa smiled. “Not quite. There is an underlying reticence in your praise that gives me the impression you’re keeping some matters hidden.”

“Then we may cry quits, my dear, for I have the very same impression when you are speaking of Mr. Colby,” retorted Henrietta with a laugh.

Louisa’s expression altered. “Yes, well —” She broke off, staring into space for a while. Henrietta watched her curiously, but wisely refrained from prompting her to continue, knowing that if she did so, Louisa would most likely turn the subject off with a laugh and a shrug. Her forbearance was rewarded, for presently Louisa once more took up the conversation.

“Hetty,” she continued, with a serious look, “are you quite sure that you’re in no danger of falling in love with — Colby? He is a man who knows to a nicety how to charm women, and you have little enough experience of such men, I dare say. I would not have you hurt for anything! Not even if I were obliged —” She broke off again, evidently in agitation.

“If you were obliged to do what?” Henrietta could not resist the question, but it brought no intelligible response.

“Oh, nothing,” replied Louisa with a despondent shrug.

“Well, my love, I wouldn’t wish to oblige you to do nothing.” Then, seeing that her friend could not even force a smile at this modest quip, she continued, “Come, there’s no need to look so serious! Haven’t I told you already that I’m merely indulging myself in a harmless little flirtation? I am just getting into the way of it, you know, what with Mr. Colby and young Fortescue! I might even spread my wings wider still and attempt to draw Mr. Burke into the game. But, no! I fear he’s not the man for light dalliance.”

She had the satisfaction of seeing Louisa’s expression lighten.

“What an abandoned female you are become! Is this all my doing, am I to suppose?”

“Not quite all, for I came to Bath with the fixed intention of enjoying all those frivolous pleasures that I missed in my first youth. But you’ve proved an apt mentor, I must say!”

At that Louisa laughed outright.

“I fear Mr. Fortescue stole

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