Lady Barbara's Dilemma by Marjorie Farrell

Author:Marjorie Farrell [Farrell, Marjorie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1993-08-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

David’s calls to the East End had not gone unnoticed, and one day, over afternoon sherry, his father remarked upon his now regular absences.

“I assume it is a woman, David?”

“Why, yes, Father,” replied his son coolly.

“It cannot be anyone your mother and I know, or surely you would have mentioned her name.”

“No, you are right, it is no one you know.”

“It is, of course, quite natural to have a mistress. But we were hoping, your mother and I, that you would soon be thinking of settling down and raising a family.”

“Miss Cohen is not my mistress, Father.” Yet, he added to himself. He certainly could not deny that he wanted her more each time he saw her. But she was a respectable woman, was Deborah Cohen, and he did not know if he had any chance of persuading her to a kiss, much less a liaison.

“Miss Cohen?” said his father.

“Miss Deborah Cohen. She is the daughter of a wholesaler in the East End.”

“You are surely not considering anything serious with her, are you, David? We have not worked all these years to achieve a place in society only to have it thrown away. I was hoping, in fact, that you found Lord Sedgewick’s daughter attractive.”

“Yes, I know,” David replied through gritted teeth.

“Marriage to a Christian woman would guarantee your children’s future, David.”

“It is not so much Lady Emily I find unattractive as her family. Her father is both a drinker and a gambler, and her mother is well-known for her indiscriminate choice of lovers.”

“Ah, but the title is an old one. Our money for their title—a common enough bargain and you know it. But the Duke of Andlem has also made overtures to me, so it need not be Lady Emily if you don’t like her. She is a bit young and spotty, I admit.”

David had long been aware of his father’s plans for him and had never questioned them. After all, the more secure a position in society he achieved, the better he would be able to effect political reform. But for some reason, today the thought of marrying some destitute nobleman’s daughter galled him.

“I assure you, Father, I have not forgotten my obligations. Miss Cohen is someone I met by chance. I enjoy her company, and I like being able to do her the favor of getting her out of Mitre Street occasionally.”

“No need to become agitated, my boy. I am sure you know what you are doing.”

* * * *

Actually, David was not at all sure he knew what he was doing. He had told part of the truth: he did enjoy Deborah’s company and he did like to think he was making her life a little more enjoyable. But the more he saw her, the more he wanted to touch her, and the more frustrated he was with Sarah’s presence. He didn’t think he had a snowball’s chance in hell of making her his mistress, but surely a kiss or two should not be impossible to bring about.

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