Devotion by Meg Kerr

Author:Meg Kerr [Kerr, Meg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781773170022
Publisher: Prism Publishers
Published: 2017-07-08T04:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER

17

Meryton, April 1816

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Lord Marlowe finding that the Meryton apothecary had not the requisite skill to heal his foot had left Netherfield very soon after his first arrival. His love of sport drew him back as soon as he could run; Edmund Delaford received on St. George’s Day a note to expect him shortly, the note being followed by his carriage and self on the Saturday. Without making even a pretense of civility to his hosts he immediately borrowed a horse and rode to Bewley in quest of Dora. Once there, however, his bangings on the door with his whip and his shouts produced no result; no one appeared; and after a quarter of an hour of this exercise he rode back to Netherfield in exactly the humour one might expect.

On his friend’s return Delaford could see that some vexation had occurred to disturb his temper. He forbore from investigating the circumstances, but succeeded in irritating Marlowe even further by advising him that the entire Delaford family would be that evening attending the Meryton Assembly ball, which occurred monthly.

“You must stay home, then,” Marlowe told him instantly. “You do not expect me to play cards or billiards by myself?”

“I must go; it’s all arranged,” said Delaford, who perceived no greater benefit to himself in entertaining Tom Marlowe at Netherfield than in dancing in Meryton, for he had found his neighbours very congenial. “Come with us, it will be better than sitting here alone with nothing to occupy you.”

“Certainly I shall not. It would be intolerable.”

“What is the reason for your repugnance? The people here have easier manners than in town, and there are some pretty girls. Come, and enjoy yourself.”

“The country has only this advantage over town, that it can better supply a gathering of people who are neither handsome nor refined. I have no interest in meeting any of them.”

“How can you despise them before you have seen them? I promise you, you will do much better to join us than stay here.”

“I refuse to comply with your request.”

“I shall not press you further then.”

“I am glad of it, for you are boring me.” Strange to relate, then, that when the time came for the Delafords to enter their coach, Lord Marlowe deigned to appear, squeezing himself in beside the twins, although Edmund Delaford could see that his mind still was not cheerful. But he could readily believe that the prospect of emptying a bottle of port single-handedly in the dining room held even more limited charm for his friend than a rustic ball.

On their arrival at the Assembly Rooms, the three younger Delafords soon dispersed to find or by sought by partners and Mrs. Delaford found a chair next to Lady Lucas. Lord Marlowe insulted Fanny by not asking her to dance, refused Edmund Delaford’s and Mrs. Delaford’s offers to introduce him to any of the other young ladies present and walked about the room with a haughty countenance, looked at with appreciation for his fine person and title,

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