Hearts Betrayed by Gayle Buck - Hearts Betrayed

Author:Gayle Buck - Hearts Betrayed [Buck, Gayle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780451168764
Google: 9tNV8pidHbUC
Amazon: B0045Y2FF0
Barnesnoble: B0045Y2FF0
Goodreads: 2411951
Publisher: Signet
Published: 1990-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

At breakfast there was no sign of Lydia. Michele was disappointed, but not really surprised. It was otherwise with Mr. Davenport. He watched the door with a frown, more than once drawing out his pocket watch to glance at it. “Where the devil is the girl?” he asked finally.

Lady Basinberry had been watching her brother silently for several minutes and she now took the opportunity to show her disdain. She curled her upper lip in derision. “Surely you do not expect Lydia to bounce in to breakfast as though nothing has happened.”

Mr. Davenport threw his sister a glance of dislike. “I expect my daughter to know better than to indulge in a fit of the sulks, Beatrice.”

“The sulks! Is that how you view it, Edwin?” Lady Basinberry’s eyes snapped with an angry light. “You have turned her life upside down. How did you expect a young girl to react to such ridiculous dicta?” she inquired scornfully.

Mr. Davenport threw down his napkin, a harassed expression on his plump face. He got to his feet and with heavy dignity said, “I am going to my club.”

“You were always a craven,” Lady Basinberry shot at his retreating back.

For reply, Mr. Davenport crashed the door shut. There was a short silence. Michele broke it with a hesitant question. “My lady, what has happened? Lydia refuses to see me or, for that matter, anyone else but her maid. And what you have just said to my uncle—what is it about?”

“You may well ask! My brother has finally and irrevocably proved his idiocy. In his words, since Lydia has seen fit to whistle down such an eligible offer as Lord Randol’s, then she may end her days a spinster. Edwin has forbidden Lydia to attend social functions for the remainder of the Season or to receive callers. If any inquire after her, she is to have the influenza, if you please,” Lady Basinberry said bitterly.

Michele exclaimed in horror. “This I cannot believe! Why, Lydia is a prisoner, en effet! How can my uncle do this thing when he is, before all else, a bon âme?”

Lady Basinberry sighed, suddenly tired in her demeanor. “Edwin is indeed a genial man. But like most mild-mannered sorts, he simmers and stews and sometimes boils over when one least expects it. Unfortunately for Lydia, as it happens,” she said. Lady Basinberry stared at the remainder of her breakfast with almost a look of revulsion on her face. She pushed aside her plate. “I cannot swallow another mouthful. Edwin’s stupidity has positively curdled my stomach.”

Michele stared into her teacup, swirling the hot dark liquid. “I hold myself utterly responsible for Lydia’s disgrace.”

Lady Basinberry was startled. “Nonsense! How could you be responsible? Michele, I warn you. If you mean to turn maudlin on me, I shall not be held accountable for my actions. My temper is frayed almost beyond endurance as it is.”

Michele looked up. Her gaze was straightforward but unhappy. “But it was I who advised Lydia to make known to Lord Randol her true feelings regarding his suit.

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