The Bluestocking's Fortune: A Regency Romance (The Bluestocking Club Book 2) by Audrey Harrison

The Bluestocking's Fortune: A Regency Romance (The Bluestocking Club Book 2) by Audrey Harrison

Author:Audrey Harrison [Harrison, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-10T23:00:00+00:00


***

Lydia need not have worried about the reception she would have at the Assembly; Alice had been perfectly correct in that people receiving help free of charge were inclined to look on Lydia as a real benefit to their area. She was greeted by almost everyone with pleasure as soon as she walked into the ballroom of the Assembly Rooms.

“I told you all would be well,” Alice whispered as they were greeted warmly by yet another person.

“Even Mr Reynolds has smiled our way,” Lydia whispered back of the clergyman.

“He dare not come across to us for fear of upsetting his patroness further, but the churchyard is looking far better since Gregson started working there,” Alice said of one of the soldiers who had arrived after Matthew had left.

“I agree; he seemed the perfect match, and the place does look much improved,” Lydia said.

Eventually, Lady Mabel could not avoid the two women any longer, and as their paths crossed, she nodded coolly towards them both but did not stop to chat.

“I wonder how long it will be before she swallows her pride and asks for servants?” Alice said quietly.

“It might sound mean-spirited, but I am not inclined to send anyone there even if she does,” Lydia replied. “The men have enough to contend with without dealing with Lady Mabel’s constant criticism.” There had been reports that a couple of the men experienced nightmares, so although they were cheerful enough during the day, it was clear they had been deeply affected by what they had gone through.

“I can understand that.”

“Mrs Hill said the innkeeper had sent a note over just before we left, saying that there was another soldier who was a long way from home but was a more difficult character than the others he had sent so far. He wanted to check we would accept this man, who apparently is a captain, before sending him.”

“And will you? It could prove challenging.”

“I have already sent word back to say that he should send him over in the morning. We cannot just take the easy ones; the more troubled they are, the more they need our help,” Lydia said.

“You are brave.” Alice smiled. “Most of the time, I want to hide in a corner away from the world.”

“But you help me so much. Do you need to return to London? Are you uncomfortable here?”

“No, not at all. I am happy to help, but I am definitely a follower and not a leader. I could not be so organised and focused as you are.”

Lydia smiled. “I have had a lot of help.”

They were interrupted by their next dance partners and spent the following half-hour enjoying a quadrille. When the dance had finished, Lydia was side-tracked by her partner, who wanted to know how he could get access to the soldiers under her care. It seemed word was spreading about the free service for very little outlay. After talking to him for a while, she turned and scanned the room for Alice but could not see her.



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