Letitia Or The Convalescent Heart by Catherine Bowness

Author:Catherine Bowness [Bowness, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Regency & Victorian Romance, London Society, England & Britain, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Beautiful & Feisty, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2018-12-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

The Countess groaned, coughed and, becoming aware of the dribble, sat up with an angry flush and wiped it away with a small lace handkerchief.

“Can he not look where he is going?” she exclaimed. “If he continues to drive in such a fashion I would not be surprised if we were to be tipped out! Pray speak to him, Frederick!”

Letty sat up more gracefully, yawned like a kitten and rubbed her eyes childishly.

“Where are we?”

“Nearly home,” his lordship told her.

“Home?” she asked crossly. “You mean Stonegate? It’s not my home!”

“I hope it will be,” the Earl replied, his eyes meeting Aspasia’s again.

“Well, perhaps; I don’t like my home either,” she acknowledged.

“Did you like Amberstone?” Aspasia asked.

“No, it’s horrid: dirty, dark and dreadfully lowering,” she responded before adding thoughtfully, clearly picturing a much improved abode in her mind’s eye, “although I think it could be quite pretty if an effort were to be made to clean it up and redecorate.”

“I’m sure Archibald would be grateful if you were to take its refurbishment in hand,” the Earl suggested gently, still looking at Aspasia.

“Well, it’s nothing to do with me!” Letty snapped. “I should think he’d be insulted to have me telling him what to do.”

“On the contrary, I should imagine he would be delighted to have you take such an interest in his affairs,” Stonegate responded.

“It’s a hideous house,” the Countess interrupted, not willing to let an opportunity for an insult to pass even if its intended recipient was absent. “It’s my opinion it ought to be pulled down before it falls around his ears.”

“A pity Archibald isn’t able to have the benefit of your judgment, Mama,” the Earl said. “He might set its demolition in train at once.”

“Oh, he knows I don’t care for it. I can’t think why his father left it to him because it’s practically in ruins and he didn’t leave enough money for it to be set to rights. I suppose it was your influence, Frederick. I must say I think it iniquitous that he didn’t and that you haven’t made up for it. How can he be expected to live in such a pigsty?”

“Oh, I hope he won’t knock it down!” Letty exclaimed, looking quite upset. “It is the most romantic house!”

There was a pregnant pause while Aspasia and the Earl tried not to meet each other’s eyes, failed and were obliged to cover their mouths with their handkerchiefs, and the Countess stared, open-mouthed, at the girl.

“You are a most contrary female,” she observed when she had recovered slightly. “A moment ago you pronounced it ‘horrid’.”

“Well, yes, but the most romantic houses are horrid until someone has paid proper attention to them. All it needs is a coat of paint, several layers of polish and – I think, I really do think – some new curtains.”

“Do you think romantic persons also seem horrid at first?” the Earl asked curiously.

“Very likely; it’s about transformation, you see.”

“Of course,” the Earl murmured, fascinated, while Aspasia said at the precise same moment, “Beauty and the Beast.

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