Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard

Author:Linore Rose Burkard
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736925518
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Eleven

When Ariana and Mr. Mornay rounded a bend which brought them into view of the guests—as many as had made their way out of the maze—an excited buzz began to circulate. Mr. Mornay with a young lady on his arm was not a common sight.

“How will your family in Chesterton receive you, when you have been cast back upon them in so untimely a fashion, with no suitor, no prospects?” he asked.

She met his gaze with a faint smile. “I had no hopes of finding a suitor, sir, and if I must return home, then my family and I will accept that it is God’s will.” A little unconscious sigh escaped her.

“Now, now, do you blame the Almighty for your own misbehaviour?” he asked in mock reprimand.

Ariana looked up at him in surprise. “By no means. But I do know that what the Lord allows has a purpose. It may be that my misbehaviour, as you put it, was ordained to spare me from a greater ill that might have befallen me had I stayed with my aunt longer.”

He expressed interest in her answer, but there was no time for further conversation. As their presence was noticed more widely, people began to sweep in their direction.

“And if you are not sent packing, Miss Forsythe, I trust you may be able to bear that as well,” Mr. Mornay said. There was no time for Ariana to ask what he meant. The missing debutante had reappeared and the attention of the guests was on them. A small throng soon surrounded them, with many shouting out questions and jests, but Mr. Mornay, now leading Ariana by the elbow, ignored them, moving determinedly to an astonished Mrs. Bentley, who was standing with a glass in one hand and the other upon her heart when he presented her with her niece.

“Is all well?” she asked, her demeanour anything but positive.

“Certainly.” Mr. Mornay’s voice was commanding. Ariana had not yet opened her mouth when he swiftly continued, “Your niece was surveying the grounds when I chanced to spot her.” His eyes met hers for the briefest second; enough for her to understand that he was not going to divulge the details. A silent thank you went forth from her own expressive eyes.

“What, alone?” It didn’t look well for a young lady to go about unescorted, and Mrs. Bentley’s voice conveyed her dread at this idea.

He ignored the question. “She was impatient to rejoin you as soon as she understood that you were the least bit flummoxed by her absence.”

Mrs. Bentley sighed in open relief, suddenly comprehending that her niece was not in disgrace with her host. She nodded, exclaiming, “My dear Mr. Mornay! You are too good! Too good, indeed. How can I thank you for bringing her back safely to us?”

“Not at all,” he said with a brief nod of his head. He then turned to leave, stopping only to bow slightly to Ariana. Mrs. Bentley’s eyes glittered in her head. Ariana was grateful for his simple explanation, and curtseyed nicely to him.

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