The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

Author:Georgette Heyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Regency, England, General, Romance, Historical, Regency fiction, Fiction, Love stories
ISBN: 9781402218941
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 1971-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

“Charles has told Cecilia that he will no longer withhold his consent.”

“Good God, has he taken leave of his senses, too? You must be mistaken, girl!”

“Upon my honor, I am not! It is the stupidest thing and will very likely wreck everything, unless you can be trusted to remain firm. Now, my dear Uncle, never mind why Charles has taken this start! Only attend to me! When Charles speaks to you about this, you must refuse to entertain the notion of Cecy’s marrying Augustus Fawnhope. In fact, it would be an excellent stratagem if you were to say that you are of the same mind as ever and mean her to marry Charlbury!”

Lord Ombersley, slightly bewildered, entered on a feeble expostulation. “Much good would that do, when Charlbury has withdrawn his offer!”

“It is of no consequence at all. Charlbury is still extremely desirous of marrying Cecilia, and, if you choose, you may tell her so. She will say that she means to marry her tiresome Augustus, because she is in honor bound to do so. You may rave at her as much as you please—as much as you did when she first made her resolve known to you! But the most important thing, dear sir, is that you should remain adamant! I will do the rest.”

He looked suspiciously at her. “Now, Sophy, this won’t do! It was you who helped her to live in that damned poet’s pocket, for Charles told me so!”

“Yes, and only see with what splendid results! She no longer has any real desire to wed him and has come to see how superior Charlbury is! If Charles had not meddled, all would have gone just as you would have wished!”

“I don’t understand a word of this!” complained his lordship.

“Very likely not. It has in great measure been due to poor little Amabel’s illness.”

“But,” persisted her uncle, painstakingly attempting to follow the thread of her argument, “if she is now willing to listen to Charlbury, why the devil don’t he renew his suit?”

“I daresay he would, if I would let him. It would be useless. Only consider, sir, in what a fix poor Cecy finds herself! She has kept Augustus dangling after her for months, has sworn she will wed him or none! You have only to consent to the alliance, and she must feel herself bound to marry him! At all costs, any formal announcement must be stopped! You may do this, and I beg you will! Do not listen to anything Charles may say to you!” Her expressive eyes laughed at him. “Be as disagreeable to Cecilia as you were before! Nothing could serve the purpose better!”

He pinched her cheek. “You rogue! But if Charles has changed his mind— You know, Sophy, I am no hand at argument!”

“Then do not argue with him! You have only to fly into a towering passion, and that, know, you are well able to do!”

He chuckled, seeing in this pronouncement a compliment. “Yes, but if they give me no

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