Marrying Miss Monkton by Helen Dickson

Author:Helen Dickson [Dickson, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Claudette Osbourne lay in a large bed. She was propped up by several thick white pillows, down which fell a thick plait of silver hair streaked with traces of gold. Her eyes were pale blue and tiny wrinkles creased her face. She was a striking-looking woman, a forceful woman secure in her own strength and will, a will, along with the dominating power of life that shone in her eyes, that filled the room with her presence.

Her shrewd eyes took in every inch of Maria before she spoke. ‘I’m glad to meet you, Miss Monkton—but come closer where I can see you,’ she said pleasantly.

Taking Maria’s hand, Charles drew her closer to the bed. ‘Maria, meet my mother.’

‘I’m happy to meet you, Lady Osbourne. I apologise for imposing myself on you like this, but I assure you my stay will by of short duration.’

‘My dear, you are welcome to stay just as long as you like—is that not so, Charles?’ she said, with a strong trace of her French accent. ‘I apologise most sincerely for not getting up to greet you. I was not expecting you, you see.’

‘Please don’t worry about it. We arrived very late and I was exhausted after all the travelling.’

‘I hope your room is comfortable and to your satisfaction.’

‘Yes, thank you.’

‘I understand you’ve had quite a journey and I am relieved you have managed to reach England safely—you and Charles.’ An odd tenderness glowed in her eyes whey they rested on her son. ‘I have every confidence you would have been safe in his care. But you have left relatives there.’

‘Yes, my aunt and her daughter—my cousin Constance.’

‘And naturally you must be very worried about them—as I am about my own family in the south of France.’

Maria nodded. ‘I pray for them and hope they are safe.’

‘Then I hope your prayers are answered. My son tells me you are in London to meet your betrothed.’

‘Yes.’ Maria glanced pointedly at Charles, thinking how considerate he was to his mother, although his persona, that of caring, loving, sympathetic son and committed guardian of herself, disguised the fact that, where keeping her from Henry was concerned, he could have put Machiavelli in the shade.

‘I hope to see Colonel Winston before the day is out, is that not so, Charles?’ The light from the window illuminated her face and picked out the midnight-blue lights in her black hair. She was pale, and her expression seemed strained, but her candid green eyes met Charles’s with an almost innocent steadfastness, for she had no intention of letting him renege on his promise.

‘I told you I shall arrange it,’ he replied stiffly.

‘And make sure you do.’ Lady Osbourne laughed, surprising Maria with the youthful zest with which she dismissed her son’s statement. ‘It would be cruel of you to postpone their meeting any longer.’

‘I have no intention of doing so,’ he replied, breaking off as Denning knocked on the door to announce he had a visitor. ‘Excuse me,’ he said, striding to the door.

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