Bless Thine Inheritance by Sophia Holloway

Author:Sophia Holloway [Holloway, Sophia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2018-07-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Although she usually broke her fast in the comfort of her bed, Lady Mardham presented herself for breakfast, much to the amazement of the senior footman, who almost dropped a chafing dish of mushrooms. Mr Richard Mardham choked over his coffee, and had to be patted firmly upon the back by Lord Pocklington.

Lady Mardham cast him a mildly reproving look, and graciously partook of tea, toast, and a coddled egg. Her presence had a damping effect upon the conversation of the gentlemen, who had addressed their appetites in suitable silence, but thereafter had been arguing good-naturedly over the likeliest spots to provide good sport with a twelve bore. Her ladyship appeared impervious to the change in atmosphere, however, and sat in regal state, embarrassing her son further by chastising him for attempting to drink his coffee when it was patently too hot.

He cast the other men a look of apology. At least they all possessed, or had possessed, mothers, and would understand that mothers always treated one as if still in short coats. He would rather scald his mouth than linger in the breakfast parlour with his parent. Shortly thereafter he rose, and made his excuses, which signalled the others that breakfast was over.

Lady Mardham sat quietly to await the young ladies. She wanted to speak with Sarah before she encountered Lord Deben, and this guaranteed it. In fact Sarah entered before any of the others, for she did not feel very sociable just at present. She stopped upon the threshold, seeing Lady Mardham, and made a small ‘oh’ sound as she gave a little curtsey and bade her hostess good morning. She was aware of an agitated feeling in her stomach.

‘Good morning, my dear. A fine morning, is it not? I am so glad you are up betimes, for I wished to have some private word with you, upon the subject we discussed yesterday.’

Sarah wondered why Lady Mardham was not more open, since they were alone.

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Sarah came and sat, which at least prevented her knees from knocking.

‘Now, I paid particular attention to Lord Deben’s manner last evening, as I said I would. You were so very right to consult me, my dear child, before opening yourself to an awkwardness.’

Sarah’s heart sank.

‘I see, ma’am.’

‘I do not blame you in the slightest, for you have nobody with whose manner you might compare Lord Deben’s, other than the gentlemen here at present. He is the most considerate of others, which is very taking, and I can quite see that his ability to make one feel the only focus of his thoughts when he converses with one could lead to … a misapprehension. However, I observed him talking to poor Celia, and to Mrs Wombwell, and he was attentive, in the nicest of ways, to each. What you must do, my dear, is keep a hold upon your natural inclination in his direction, lest you place yourself in a difficult situation, and expose the both of you to acute embarrassment. I do not, of course, say that you should refuse to converse with him.

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