The Seamstress by Mary Kingswood

Author:Mary Kingswood [Kingswood, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sutors Publishing
Published: 2019-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

20: Miss Crisp's Elegant Millinery

Ferdy almost groaned with annoyance. Hawes, of all people. He had not been near Fanny for weeks, as far as he could tell, but she was such a gentle creature that she would accept whatever excuse he offered and bask in his insincere smiles.

At first Mr Hawes did not see them, and came on relentlessly, head lowered against the wind, one hand holding onto his beaver hat. Then he saw Fanny, started, smiled and made his way towards her where she stood beside Ferdy.

“Miss Winterton! What a delightful surprise! I had no idea you were to found out and about, or I should have sought you out sooner.” He bowed with a flourish, sweeping his hat from his head.

“Mr Hawes,” she said, dipping a slight curtsy. “You are well, I trust?”

“Oh indeed, perfectly well, and if I had not been so, the sight of your pretty features would have driven away every ill upon the instant, and rendered me in the best of health forever more. I do not insult you by enquiring as to your health, Miss Winterton, for it is patently clear even to the most unobservant eye, which I flatter myself mine is not, that you are in the rosiest of good health. Never have I seen you blooming so delightfully.”

Ferdy tried not to roll his eyes at this hyperbole. He stood very still, frozen in place, unacknowledged and perhaps forgotten, as the other two exchanged greetings. He was too polite to interrupt the conversation, but he felt Mr Hawes’ rudeness exceedingly. He had not even offered the courtesy of a greeting, even though he had dined at Ferdy’s house.

Fanny noticed, too, for she said, in a slightly puzzled tone, “You remember Mr Makenham, of course?”

That brought forth a slight exchange of bows, and Hawes’ vacuous smile slipped a little. Fanny looked uncertainly from one to the other, as if unsure what to make of their behaviour. Perhaps she was aware of the animosity between them, for her hand tightened instinctively on Ferdy’s arm. To reassure her, he gently covered her hand with his own. She trembled a little under his touch, like a timid mouse, trusting but still a little afraid.

Mr Hawes licked his lips and looked from one to the other. Then the smile returned. “Are you making your way home, Miss Winterton? I should be delighted to relieve Makenham of the duty of escorting you, if so, and apprise you of all the news from Brinshire as we walk.”

How would she respond to that? Naturally she would want to talk to Mr Hawes and hear the news from Brinshire, but she already had a perfectly good escort, and there was also Aunt Agatha and his sisters to be thought of. To Ferdy’s delight, she raised questioning eyes to him, as if asking how she should answer.

“There may be too much news to impart for one short walk,” Ferdy said smoothly. “Perhaps you might call on Miss Winterton when she is

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