In My Lady's Chamber by Laura Matthews

Author:Laura Matthews [Matthews, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1981-09-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Sunday was a day on which the Heythrops broke their usual routine. In addition to church attendance, the girls were not expected to do any studies. The day was not given over to a surfeit of religious observation by any means. The children, in fact, viewed it entirely as a day of freedom and looked forward to it despite the lengthy and usually unintelligible (to them) sermons delivered by Dr. Trainer. He had a habit of choosing obscure texts which led to even more obscure sermons, and his choice of music was almost intolerably lugubrious. But Lady Eastwick had vetoed Edward’s suggestion that he read some edifying verses from the Bible at home after church to instill a proper regard for religion into his younger brothers and sisters.

“Nothing is less likely to inspire virtue than being made to sit still and listen to someone prose on at you about goodness,” she had responded with a certain asperity. “You forget that you yourself were once happy enough to return home from church and run round the orchards in your best clothes, Edward. And don’t be suggesting that we shouldn’t have music or play cards, either. I can’t fathom where the idea came from that one must be miserable in order to show a proper reverence.”

So Sunday was perhaps the favorite day of the week for the younger children, and they weren’t at all surprised to see their uncle shab off before they all walked into Channock for the service, though they had assured him that Dr. Trainer was on holiday and would have a much livelier replacement. Eleanor’s indisposition had passed, and Lord Steyne accompanied them, walking with Lady Eastwick and sitting beside her in the family pew. Miss Tremere strolled along with the children despite Edward’s attempts to draw her into a theological discussion of the Trinity. And they found their hopes for Mr. Oldbury not unjustified. His sermon was understandable, with no trace of condescension, but a rather positive approach to handling life as it came.

Edward, however, was incensed at the attention Mr. Oldbury paid Miss Tremere after the service, and chose to distinguish Christina Winchmore with his conversation to show the governess he couldn’t care less. Charlotte, according to her plan to match Miss Tremere and Mr. Oldbury, made every effort to keep her younger brothers and sisters at her side so the governess and the clergyman would have a chance to speak with one another uninterruptedly on their walk back to Charton Court.

Theodosia brushed back a loose strand of hair and viewed Mr. Oldbury with laughing eyes. "We enjoyed the service, Mr. Oldbury. Amy told me next week she intends to leave her finger-knitting at home, as she won’t need it.”

"Praise indeed! Dr. Trainer will be gone a month, at the very least. A trip to Scotland at his age is not a matter to be taken lightly, or hurried. I’ll try to bring my best sermons to keep the young ones from being restless. They must be quite a handful.

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