Black Sheep's Daughter by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1989-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Muriel was dressed in a pale blue gown which enhanced the celestial colour of her eyes. Beneath a chipstraw hat decorated with blue bows, her golden ringlets shone in the autumnal sunlight. Teresa was not in the least surprised that her cousin John was eager to meet her.

It pleased her to be, for once, the one performing the introductions. Lady Parr was clearly delighted to make the acquaintance of her noble relatives, though Teresa noted with relief that neither her ladyship’s character nor her sense of decorum led her to toadeat them. Muriel blushed and smiled with a pretty shyness that Teresa wished she could emulate.

Andrew greeted their lordships with what she could only view as suspicion. She realised that no mention had been made of his engagement to Muriel, so she hastened to remedy the omission.

For some reason, this made Andrew look still more resentful, while her cousins redoubled their attentions to the enchanting Miss Parr.

Teresa found herself riding behind the carriage with Sir Andrew. "I'm sorry," she said, "should I not have revealed that you and Muriel are affianced?"

"It was perfectly proper to tell them," he said noncommittally.

"I thought you were annoyed that they admired her, but when they learned that she is betrothed it only seemed to increase their admiration. I do not understand it; I expected the reverse."

He laughed. "That is because you are a very straightforward person, without a devious notion in your head. Gentlemen of rank and fortune like your cousins are the natural prey of the matchmaking mamas with marriageable daughters. When they are also young and handsome, like your cousins, even the most milk-and-water misses grow predatory. Since Muriel is already spoken for, they are safe in making her the object of their attentions."

Heads turned as Teresa's peal of laughter rang out. "You are not roasting me?" she said, still grinning. "No, it does make a twisted sort of sense. Oh dear, everyone is staring! Lady Parr warned me that my laugh is not sufficiently restrained."

"Fustian! If you raise your eyes, you will see that you have brought smiles to a dozen sour faces. Your laugh is a tonic and you must not subdue it. I fear my next question will do just that, however. Have you yet spoken to the duke about the trial?"

"No, he was from home this afternoon. I expect I shall have an opportunity this evening to speak with him. Was your appointment with the Foreign Secretary satisfactory?"

"Lord Castlereagh was most complimentary."

"Lord Castlereagh? I had not realised that he is the Foreign Secretary! I met his wife just now. It seems that she is just as important in her way, for she is one of those who controls access to Almack's. I will not say that she was complimentary, but she did promise me an invitation. Andrew, Castlereagh is one of my uncle's particular friends! I must make quite certain that he understands how indebted we are to you, and that you are a diplomat. With his patronage, I daresay you will be made ambassador in no time.

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