A Sprig Of Lavender by Susan Ralph

Author:Susan Ralph
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Published: 2012-12-10T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Catherine woke when Rachel came in with a water pitcher in one hand and several garments draped over her opposite arm.

“Miss Catherine, I pressed your green muslin. I hope it suits for the day,” Rachel said.

“It will,” Catherine replied in a cheerful tone. “I shall engage in only light activities until the ladies gather in the afternoon. I will take breakfast downstairs, have a short walk, and then spend the rest of my time in the library.”

“Then out of your nightshift and on with the day. Cook has fixed porridge as one of the breakfast offerings and has set out a bowl of dried fruit.”

“Oh, I should hurry, then, before the porridge has time to cool.”

Dressed in her green muslin, Catherine sat at her dressing table, fidgeting. Rachel curled Catherine’s hair into ringlets, pinned them up in a pretty arrangement, and then smoothed the lace trim around the neckline of Catherine’s dress.

“I shall see you at a quarter to four, Rachel. I will need to change into one of my afternoon dresses before joining the other ladies for tea.”

Catherine took her bonnet and gloves down, saving herself a trip back up the stairs before her walk.

In the entry hall, she placed the bonnet and gloves on a table and then strolled to the breakfast room. Lady Penelope was seated at the table. No one else was in the room.

Picking up a plate and bowl from the sideboard, Catherine helped herself to a large serving of porridge, topped it with butter and dried fruit, and then took a slice of toasted bread from the rack. She smiled and nodded at Lady Penelope, who returned the greeting with an abrupt upturn of her lips and hostile eyes.

“Such a lovely dress,” Lady Penelope said in a mocking tone. “The styling was so popular two years ago. I did adore it and am glad you have confidence enough to continue wearing it.”

Catherine hesitated, focusing on her porridge. She lifted a spoonful to her mouth and chewed and swallowed as she gathered the words for her rejoinder.

“I thank you for your compliment. So many of the most fashionable members of the ton commented on my beauty when I wore this dress, I could not bear to part with it.”

Catherine signaled to the footman standing next to the sideboard. “Coffee and one of the morning papers.” She ate without further comment, until the coffee and paper were placed before her. “I do think I shall order another gown fashioned from the same fabric and in this same style.” She turned her attention to pursuing the social news and ignoring Lady Penelope.

Quiet, interrupted only by the sound of metal utensils clicking against porcelain, settled over the breakfast room.

Until Lady Penelope rustled. “Good morning, my lord,” she trilled.

Catherine looked up from the paper.

Lord Parker strode farther into the room. “Good morning, Miss Sutton, Lady Penelope,” he said, bowing to each in turn.

Catherine noticed Lord Parker wink at Lady Penelope.

How ill-mannered of His Lordship to take liberties when others were present.

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