Two Corinthians by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780802710871
Google: 15kqAgAACAAJ
Amazon: 0802710875
Goodreads: 1710072
Publisher: Walker & Co
Published: 1988-12-31T11:00:00+00:00

Chapter XII—George

George had no intention of tackling the delicate subject of Claire's shabby and outmoded dress in so public a place as Hyde Park. Another week passed, therefore, before an opportunity arose to speak to her privately.

One afternoon, Lord Pomeroy suggested to Lizzie that he should take her next day to the Royal Academy and Miss Linwood's Exhibition. Lizzie accepted with alacrity.

“I hope you will join us,” he said, turning to Claire.

“Thank you, but I must go to Bumble's Green tomorrow. Mrs Copple writes that the materials for my greenhouse have been delivered, and I must be there to ensure that they build in the right place. There is no need to postpone your outing, though. I shall need Alfie but Molly can go with Lizzie."

George spoke quickly, before Pomeroy could voice his evident discontent. “I should like to see your Bumble's Green house. May I drive you there?"

Claire looked at him dubiously. “I shall leave early, there is nothing of interest, and I must be there all day."

“I look forward to learning all about the construction of greenhouses,” he said glibly.

“What a rapper!” exclaimed Lizzie.

Claire laughed, but she accepted his offer. “I am willing to condemn you to a day of tedium because the gig from the livery stables is both uncomfortable and exceeding slow,” she confessed. “I daresay it will take scarce half as long to get there with you driving, sir."

George noted with some amusement that Pomeroy was looking daggers at him.

“I wager I can do it in a third the time of a hired gig,” the younger man said challengingly.

“But not tomorrow,” George pointed out, “since you are engaged to guide Lizzie's artistic education."

“That does not matter,” said Lizzie, abandoning art without a second thought. “You ought to have a race. I will go with Bertram and Claire with you, George."

This proposal united the gentlemen.

“Take a female on a curricle race?” Bertram said, horrified. “You must have windmills in your head, Lizzie."

“Would it be so very unladylike?"

“Not merely unladylike but highly dangerous,” George explained.

“Oh, then if it is dangerous, you must not race after all. Are you a member of the Four-horse Club, Bertram?"

“No,” he growled.

“A race would not be fair then, for George is. How odd, I had thought you a top sawyer too."

“Pomeroy is most certainly a top sawyer,” George assured her. “To my knowledge he has been put up for membership more than once but has refused the honour."

“Why?” asked Lizzie.

Lord Pomeroy looked harrassed. “Because I refuse to be seen wearing a waistcoat with inch-wide blue and yellow stripes!” he snapped. “I shall call for you tomorrow at eleven, Miss Elizabeth, if that suits you? Good day, ma'am,” he said to Claire, and departed.

“Oh dear,” sighed Lizzie, “he is miffed at me and I do not even understand why."

“Don't take it personally,” advised George. “He simply transferred to you his annoyance with me."

“Why should he be angry with you?” Claire asked in astonishment.

George silenced Lizzie with a glance. “Perhaps he doubts his ability to best me in the race we shall not be holding,” he suggested.

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