Shady Lady 5 by Thornton Elizabeth

Author:Thornton, Elizabeth [Thornton, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Erotica, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 0553584901
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 2004-02-03T08:00:00+00:00

Jo was quite mistaken in her belief that she had made a bad first impression. In fact, the opposite was true. Only Cecy was disappointed. She had hoped that Mrs. Chesney would turn out to be a hussy. That would have given her a certain cachet with her friends. The Shady Lady was turning out to be not so shady after all.

On the way home, Lady Fredericka and Maude were discussing their impressions of Jo. “I was struck dumb when I first saw her,” declared her ladyship. “I thought she must be one of the maids. Did you see the mud on her gown and boots?”

“What I saw,” said Mrs. Daviot, eyes flashing, “was a woman who does not stand on her dignity but who can enter into a boy’s games when I’m sure there were other things she would rather be doing.”

She had liked Jo Chesney on sight, and her regard had only increased during the visit. It was obvious to her that Mrs. Chesney was a conscientious if somewhat anxious guardian who wasn’t ashamed to ask for help in the task of raising her ward. There was affection there too. As a devoted mother, Mrs. Daviot could only approve.

“I think,” she said, “it is to her credit that she has taken on the burden of raising a young boy. Eric is very fortunate.”

“Well, of course he is,” replied her ladyship impatiently. “That is just my point. I was so afraid she would turn out to be a fashion plate. It’s a relief to know she is a good-hearted, sensible young woman with more on her mind than the social whirl. Waldo could do a lot worse.”

“Mama.” Maude enunciated each word carefully, “Mrs. Chesney made her sentiments as clear as crystal. Nothing will induce her to marry again. No one can take the place of her first husband. She didn’t come up to town to be with Waldo but to find her friend Lady Webberley. I’m convinced that that is all there is to their friendship.”

“On her part, perhaps, but I’m not so sure about Waldo’s.”

“Why not?” asked Cecy, her interest reviving.

After a moment’s reflection, her ladyship said, “I don’t really know, except to say that Waldo answers all my questions with such wide-eyed innocence that my suspicions are aroused.”

“Mother,” Maude said, “you are making too much of it. There’s nothing to be suspicious about.”

Lady Fredericka dismissed her daughter’s words with a gesture of one hand. “And now that I have met her, I see where her attraction lies. She is devoted to her aunt, to her ward, to her friend, and even to her late husband. I’ve always admired loyalty.”

“So you like her, Mama?” said Cecy.

“Very much indeed. And I particularly liked the way she greeted us when we surprised her in her garden. It showed great presence of mind. Mind you, I could wish that she was a few years younger and had never married, and that her father was not Sir Vivian Moore. But then she wouldn’t be the woman Waldo admires.

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