The Miser's Sister by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1984-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The next morning, when Rose asked Oliver to accompany her to Curzon Street, he growled at her.

Rose scarcely noticed. She was wondering whether it was too much to expect that Theo would be there.

The night before, when Lord Theodore had departed, both Lady Hadrick and Ruth warmly pressed him to call again. Noting the blank look and stammer which promptly overcame him, Ruth whispered, out of her aunt’s hearing, “Miss Pardoe is a frequent visitor, Lord Theodore.”

He smiled gratefully at her and accepted the invitation. To Rose’s disappointment, her parents did not add their own. They were quite unaware of her interest and did not like to presume upon a new acquaintance.

That morning, Lady Hadrick took Letty shopping. Ruth, as usual, stayed behind. They had already received invitations to a few parties, and she needed some new gowns, but she was determined not to be dressed by her aunt. She hoped to persuade Rose to accompany her, though she would have been more than delighted to put off the expedition had Oliver come with his sister.

Rose, when she appeared, refused to leave the house.

“Suppose Lord Theodore comes and no one is at home? He might never come again, Ruth.”

“Nonsense, my dear. Quite apart from the fact that this is the only place he can be sure of meeting you sooner or later, he is a friend of my uncle and will certainly wish to present his respects now and then.”

“He might consider it sufficient to leave his card.”

“That would scarcely further his acquaintance with you, Rose.”

“Perhaps he does not wish to do so. A single evening is hardly adequate to form even a first impression.”

“How can you say so? Ah, you may well blush! Besides, I am sure he must occasionally feel a need to converse, and I hazard a guess that you are one of the few people with whom he finds it possible.”

Rose sighed.

“Yes, the poor dear certainly is bashful in company. I doubt he will ever rise to ambassador.”

“He is not in the least bashful in your company, and with your support I look to see him overcome his stammer and do very well.”

“You go too fast, indeed you do!” cried Rose, blushing again. She glanced at the clock on the mantel. “Eleven already. I fear he will not come today.”

“Now, Rose, you know that fashionable young gentlemen do not leave their beds before noon. If he is not here by one o’clock you shall come shopping with me, and we will go by the Royal Academy so that when he comes tomorrow you will be able to ask intelligent questions.”

“I feel sure that paintings are a fascinating study,” said Rose dreamily. “Only think how much money the Regent spends on them. It is the sort of subject any lady should be conversant with, do you not think so, Ruth?”

A knocking at the front door prevented an answer, as both young ladies dashed to the window. They were rewarded with the sight of Lord Theodore Barrington standing patiently upon the step.

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