Toblethorpe Manor by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1981-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Richard stayed home for dinner. He dined alone, as Miss Fell had a tray in Lady Annabel’s chamber; however, she joined him later at his request, and they played a quiet game of chess. Each had resolved to keep his emotions to himself and to treat the other with impeccable courtesy. Almost in spite of themselves they fell into the easy interchange that had been so precious to them, but now each was conscious of feelings held back, of a certain caution.

Lady Annabel recovered rapidly. At least partially satisfied by the relations between Richard and Miss Fell, she was anxious to have Lucy back under her care and to try if she could to discover how sat the wind in that quarter. A week after her collapse she was pronounced fit (“Thanks entirely to dear Clara’s nursing,” she insisted), and Lucy was to be permitted to return two days later, provided certain precautions were observed. One or two of the London servants had succumbed to the grippe, but Mrs. Dawkins had packed them off home with a basket of comforts, so as not to endanger the rest. The Yorkshire servants regarded them with scorn, as proof of the decadence of London life in general. They would not dream of so discommoding my lady.

Lucy returned home on Friday afternoon. She seemed subdued, though happy to be back in the bosom of her family after three weeks’ absence. She quickly resumed her friendship with her dear Clara, but did not confide in either her or Lady Annabel.

Saturday brought their first visitors in weeks. Aunt Blanche came to see her sister-in-law, bringing Jenny and Edward in her train. Richard was privileged to see Edward introduced to Miss Fell, and her reaction was all he could have wished. Taking in the violently flowered waistcoat, the striped neckcloth, purple coat and positively yellow pantaloons, she remarked with a choking gasp, “I see you are a very Nonpareil, Mr. Carstairs. What a pity Mr. Richard Carstairs is not a little livelier in his dress.”

Edward cast a glance of triumph at his cousin, saw that gentleman laughing, and turned back in suspicion.

“I see you are bamming me, Miss Fell, just as Richard and Lucy do,” he sighed. “None of you understands the exigencies of Fashion.”

Lord Denham arrived and bowed over Miss Fell’s hand. He complimented her on her return to health. He chatted with her for a few minutes and then retired to a corner with Lucy, who flirted with him outrageously.

Jenny came to sit by her and regarded her with evident admiration. “Lucy told me all about you,” she opened, to Miss Fell’s alarm. “How your mama was at school with Aunt Annabel, and how you were thrown from your horse and rescued by Cousin Richard. It is so romantic!”

“It was very uncomfortable,” said Miss Fell prosaically.

Lady Annabel, after consulting Richard, invited everyone present, including Lord Harry, who now appeared, and Mr. Geoffrey Carstairs, to take potluck in Cavendish Square that evening. Lord Harry was

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