Emily Hendrickson by Harriet's Beau

Author:Harriet's Beau [Beau, Harriet's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“The thing to do,” confided Emma to Diana in the peace of the Wynnstay drawing room, “is to encourage Sir Basil and Harriet without discouraging Harriet and Ferdy.”

“I do not see how you intend to do that,” Diana said, giving her sister a highly dubious look.

“We shall think of something,” Emma replied serenely.

“And I thought I was the shatterbrained one of the family,” Diana murmured.

“Well, she mentioned a Captain Benwell and I do not know a thing about him,” Emma said with an inquiring look at her sister.

“I do. He is a fortune hunter and up to no good. Damon said he gambles a great deal. The captain is handsome and has a devilish air about him, though. Surely Harriet has more sense than to turn his way.” Diana looked horrified at the prospect of Harriet linked to Captain Benwell in any manner.

“He would probably appear in a better light than Aunt Croscombe or Lord Pomeroy if a choice had to be made,” Emma declared emphatically. “You should have seen that man last evening. He is even worse than reported. I vow he gave me the shudders. She cannot be permitted to marry that creature, especially when we have a better candidate in mind.”

“True.” Diana shifted about on the sofa, then asked, “Did Harriet tell you that her aunt cannot find a companion and now demands that her niece come to keep her company?”

“Indeed. What a gruesome prospect for any young woman.” Emma exchanged a significant look with her sister.

“We must prevent it,” Diana said with a nod. “It is our duty.”

“Well, there is one hope. Ferdy mentioned some archery thing they’ll attend together today, and he insisted that Harriet must go with him on this fishing excursion that we cooked up. Thank heavens the boys are agreeable to anything their uncle does.”

“That is a plus,” Diana agreed. “Oh, those two are so right for each other, but I wonder if we shall ever see it come about, given Ferdy and his bachelor ways.”

“Certainly Harriet was not pleased to learn about La Fleur. Nor would I be,” Emma said with a glance at the door. Lowering her voice she added, “I am sure that Edmund does not stray. At least I strive to keep him happy at home, if you take my meaning.”

“Oh, yes,” Diana nodded confidently. “Damon needs little prompting, but I agree. Did I show you the nightgown that Madame Clotilde made for me? It is blush peach and the sheerest batiste that ever was woven. Damon likes it,” she said with a pert smile.

“Edmund would as well,” Emma said with a chuckle.

They continued to discuss this delightful topic before returning to the matter of Harriet. By the end of the afternoon, they had a plan all thought out. Now all that remained was for Harriet to cooperate and Ferdy not to mess things up again.

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