Sally James by Miranda of the Island

Author:Miranda of the Island
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The next morning Miranda was herself driving with the Earl of Devoran when she saw Denzil sweep through the gates of the Park with Araminta seated triumphantly beside him.

“Good God!” the Earl ejaculated when he too saw this amazing sight. “Denzil has never before driven a female, apart from yourself.”

“So I understand, but have you any notion why not?”

“I imagine he did not wish to single anyone out. But this is unheard of! Has he – er – have they – ?” He stopped in some confusion, but Miranda spoke quickly.

“Oh, there is Mary Fellowes with her brother. Pray let us stop and speak with them!”

Tom thankfully abandoned the topic of Denzil’s odd behaviour and drove towards the Fellowes’ curricle, but he, like most of the other people in the Park, did his best to keep Denzil in view.

Araminta was relishing to the full the astonished looks that were being thrown her way, and did not care how many times Denzil had to pull up in response to hails from his friends or hers. But eventually they came to a quieter part, and he commented approvingly on her hat, a jaunty bonnet that framed her face delightfully.

“It becomes you excessively. I do not recall having seen it before.”

“No, I have only recently purchased it.”

“Not particularly for this expedition?” he asked teasingly.

“No, indeed. But I have found a new milliner, Therese, who is wonderful! She has the most delectable creations. I could wish to buy every one I see!”

“Therese? Oh yes, I believe I have heard of her.” He recalled with some amusement having been beguiled into accompanying another female to that establishment some months previously, then he tensed, and his horses, feeling the pull on the reins, broke into a trot. For a moment he remained in deeply abstracted thought, and then brought them back to a walk. Araminta looked at him curiously, but soon began to describe another hat she had ordered.

He responded politely but without enthusiasm. She was piqued, and did her utmost to be entertaining, but as he contributed only the briefest remarks in reply, it was hard going for her. They circled the Park again slowly, and it was obvious to Araminta that he was searching for someone. She was inclined to be petulant, when he suddenly turned the curricle and drove it up to where Miranda and Tom Devoran had halted to converse with some men on horseback.

He stopped and greeted them, and replied courteously to their comments, but left most of the conversation to the others. From the glances Araminta stole at him, he seemed to be studying Miranda with marked intensity, and puzzled as much as irritated, she wondered what had come over him.

They parted from the others, but had only gone a short distance when he suggested taking her home.

“You are looking cold,” he said, and despite her protests that she was perfectly comfortable, chose to overrule her, telling her firmly there was no need to be polite with him.

Fuming inwardly

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