To Catch a Husband by Sophia Holloway

Author:Sophia Holloway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison and Busby
Published: 2024-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sir Harry Penwood was in a thoughtful mood, and his cogitations were not entirely happy. He had encountered Lord Cradley when he ‘happened to be passing’ Hazelwood, the Roxtons’ residence, and the gentleman had all the polish and address Harry knew he did not possess. The man clearly admired Miss Banham but had no problems in charming her with his conversation. His was one tongue that evidently never tied itself into knots.

It could not be said that Lady Roxton looked delighted at his presence; if anything, she looked watchful and guarded. However, Lord Cradley did not stay over long, nor say anything that might be construed as forward.

Miss Banham had been in a bright and happy mood, which was wonderful as long as one did not think about whether it was Lord Cradley who had put her there. She did begin to tell the latest visitor what he had said and thought, until her mama had, quietly but firmly, suggested that Sir Harry did not want second-hand views.

‘Oh dear, I have let my tongue run away with me, Sir Harry. Do forgive me.’ The pleading look would have had ninety-nine per cent of men forgive her anything, and Harry Penwood was not in the tiny minority. Mindful of what Mary had told him, he did not try to compete upon silver-tongued compliments and worldly knowledge.

‘Miss Banham, I would far rather hear your own opinions upon matters than Lord Cradley’s.’

‘You would?’ Miss Banham even seemed to be able to frown without marring her loveliness. ‘But I do not know anything. I cannot tell you who is the prime minister of Am—oh, they do not have one, do they!’ She put her fingers to her lips.

‘I am not talking of facts such as one might look up in an encyclopaedia, Miss Banham, and what you have told me of Lord Cradley’s opinions are just that, opinions. I would rather hear if you have read that book which was all the rage this spring, Pride and Prejudice. One of my friends in the regiment had it sent in a parcel from his mother, with strict instructions to read it. He began it without enthusiasm but was soon absorbed by it. Several of us borrowed it from him, and though one fellow yawned over it and its lack of “action”, I for one found it most diverting.’

‘Soldiers read books?’ Miss Banham clearly thought this a revelation.

‘Indeed, ma’am.’ He laughed, for she made it sound as likely as a dog playing the pianoforte. ‘What a poor view you must have of soldiers.’

‘Oh no, it is just … but how do you find time, between fighting battles and doing manoeuvres and such things?’

‘The truth of the matter is that soldiers spend more time fighting discomforts, disease and boredom of mind, ma’am. One has always to be prepared for battle, but we encounter mud, rain, sunburn, poor food and fevers far more often.’

‘Then why do it? I mean, you could have stayed in Gloucestershire.’ It was a genuine question.

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