A Curious Courting by Laura Matthews

Author:Laura Matthews [Matthews, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1980-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Selina gave specific instructions the next morning that if Mr. Rushton came to call, she was to be denied. “If he asks for Mr. Henry, then you will have to check with him, but I am not at home to Mr. Rushton.” The surprised look she received from McDonough she ignored and proceeded to the library to finish her task there. She was debating the importance of an old receipt when Henry entered, and she smiled up at him. “Do you suppose I will need to refer to this bill for the range? We have never had the least trouble with it and it is entered in the books, but I can never seem to remember the shopowner’s name when I try.”

“Why did you have yourself denied to Mr. Rushton, Selina?”

“I have no wish to see him, Henry, and I am very busy. Has he called?”

“Yes, he wished to speak to you, but McDonough told him you were not receiving, so he asked for me. Rushton would be willing to wait if you have to change or anything, but he’s anxious to see you.”

“I am not anxious to see him, Henry.”

“He said he wished to discuss a facet of Lord John’s design with you.”

“Pooh. Mr. Rushton doesn’t give a farthing for my opinion. He has seen the Sands’ house, and there is an end to it. I won’t see him, Henry.”

“What the devil has gotten into you, Selina? I thought you were interested in promoting Lord John’s career.”

“And I tell you I can do no more than I have. If you will excuse me, I really must finish with these papers.”

“I have never known you to be so stubborn. What harm can it do to see him?” Henry drew a hand distractedly through his hair, a pained expression on his face.

“Have you perhaps told Mr. Rushton that you would get me to see him?”

“Well, yes, I rather did.”

“You must stop putting me in these positions, Henry. It is all very well to be generous with your own time, but you have no right to dispense with mine as you see fit. I have a great deal to do, and am not willing to waste time on every Tom, Dick and Harry who comes along.”

“It’s not as though you didn’t know Mr. Rushton,” he grumbled. “I can see your denying yourself to Mr. Walters or Mr. Moreton, for you’ve only met them at Sir Penrith’s. But you introduced Rushton to Lord John, and you sold him the land, and he has been very kind to me.”

“To you, Henry. Not to me. If you can think of a way which does not involve me, to repay him for his kindnesses, by all means indulge yourself in doing so. You may tell him I highly recommend that he incorporate the glassed-in room in his hunting-box. Unfortunately, that will only make him reject the idea, but it will be his loss.” Selina purposefully turned back to her papers. “I shall see you at luncheon, Henry.

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