Entanglement by Vonnie Hughes

Author:Vonnie Hughes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: society;regency;historical;family;love;romance;abuse
Publisher: Vonnie Hughes
Published: 2016-06-28T17:46:33+00:00

Chapter Five

Alexandra champed at the bit, waiting for the coast to clear. Downstairs her father was taking an inordinate amount of time preparing to leave for his club, or so it seemed. Would the man never leave the house?

As she tied the ribbons of her cloak, she muttered, “Almost there, Grandmama. I’m nearly free, thanks to you.”

After Mama had left home, Grandmama had come to live with them for a time. But Papa had “driven her silly,” so she said, and after two years under their roof she had returned to her own home at Lowestoft. At first Alexandra had missed her almost as much as she’d missed Mama, but then Grandmama invited them to stay at Lowestoft as often as Papa would allow, and those were happy days. When she was fifteen Grandmama had taken her aside and said, “Alexandra, I know you will care for your sister always. You are a responsible girl.”

Alexandra had nodded. Yes, of course. Hadn’t she always looked after Emmaline?

“I am going to leave you a nest egg. When you come of age, remember me and spend your inheritance wisely.”

At the time Alexandra had had no idea what Grandmama meant, but when three years ago Grandmama had died and the terms of her will were read out, Papa had been furious. “That was to be mine, mine! To leave it all to a witless girl who will fritter it away; it doesn’t bear thinking of.”

However Mr. Blount had assured Papa that the terms of the will were correct and clear, and that nothing could be done to overturn it.

Another reason for Papa to dislike her, Alexandra thought as she collected her pattens from the cupboard. As if being the spitting image of Mama were not enough. At least she would not have to worry about that much longer.

She opened her bedroom door and prowled along the hallway to the top of the stairs so she could hear more clearly.

She had already spent a half-hour persuading Emmaline that she did not wish to go for a walk in the park. In the end she’d had to pretend she was not feeling well. So of course Emmaline decided to stay home and read to her. That took another half-hour of arguing until Emmaline had left in a huff, taking Ginny, the downstairs maid with her.

“Yes, sir.” Mrs. White’s voice accompanied the shutting of the front door.

At last! Alexandra grabbed her reticule off the bed and hurried downstairs. The weather was inclement but that did not matter.

When she reached the corner of Great Jermyn Street, she wondered which way to turn. Well, there were only two choices. She turned left and walked slowly along the street avoiding the horse dung, her pattens clattering on the cobblestones. Every now and then she paused, looking at the townhouses.

It was a quiet street. At the far end a coal-heaver’s cart turned the corner to drive along the mews behind the townhouses, and a governess escorted a boy with a hoop along the road towards the park.

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