Family Plot by Sheri Cobb South

Author:Sheri Cobb South
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gale, Cengage Learning
Published: 2014-01-10T05:00:00+00:00

As Lady Fieldhurst had predicted, the first hour of the ball kept her far too busy to seek out Mr. Pickett even had she attempted to do so. She was obliged first to say all that was proper to her host, Mr. Angus Kirkbride, then inquire into the health of the guest of honor. Miss Kirkbride, Julia was forced to own, was in exceptional looks, and if her gown was a bit old-fashioned (unearthed from among her mother’s things, said Miss Kirk-bride, she not having had an opportunity to have anything new made up for the occasion), this circumstance only added to her mystique. Mr. Duncan Kirkbride bowed low over Julia’s hand and rather curtly expressed his pleasure at seeing her again, then took himself off to lead out a very young lady in pink satin for the opening set.

“What a pretty girl,” Lady Fieldhurst observed as she answered Mr. Gavin’s bow with a curtsy. “Who, pray, is Duncan’s fair partner?”

“You must be thinking of Miss McFarland,” Gavin said, following her gaze. “We are expecting an interesting announcement there any day.”

“Indeed? But she seems so much younger than he.” Not to mention the fact that the poor girl looked terrified of her formidable suitor. “He must be almost twenty years her senior. Can he truly be happy with such a young lady, or she with him?”

“I see you are a romantic, Mrs. Pickett,” observed Gavin wryly. “You must have made a love match for yourself, and now you believe everyone seeks a marriage based on the tender passion. But there are those who haven’t the luxury of marrying to please themselves. For them there are other, more pressing concerns.”

Indeed there were, such as wealth and land and the begetting of heirs. But Lady Fieldhurst had no intention of carrying on a conversation in which she felt herself to be on very shaky ground. “If we are to speak of pressing concerns, I fear I am keeping you from your duties as host. I must not keep you here talking to me when you should be securing a partner for the Scottish reel.”

Gavin was quick to demur, but Lady Fieldhurst insisted upon her willingness, nay, eagerness, to observe the dancing from one of the chairs positioned against the walls. For the next half-hour, she sat amongst the dowagers, tapping her foot in time to the music while she watched the clock and counted the moments until she could seek out Mr. Pickett on the terrace. At length she saw Duncan heading in her direction, having surrendered Miss McFarland to Harold for the next set. Driven as much by boredom as by the desire to assist Mr. Pickett in his investigations, she rose from her chair and contrived to intercept the surliest of the Kirkbride cousins as he crossed the room.

“Oh Duncan, you are just the person I need!” she trilled brightly. “Mrs. Murray has been singing the praises of your uncle’s champagne. Can you tell me where I might find a glass?”

Thus cornered, Duncan Kirkbride had no choice but to play the gallant.

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