Obsession by Sara Bennett

Author:Sara Bennett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kaye Dobbie

“We will enjoy ourselves.”

Amy’s quiet voice brought Deb out of her megrim. There was a certainty in the girl’s voice that made her smile as their equipage made its way toward Sir Rollo’s house. Evening was turning the fields around them mauve and grey, and birds settled in the trees as they turned into the long driveway that led to their destination.

Amy had quickly become a good friend since they exchanged confidences. Friends in adversity perhaps. Tonight the girl looked especially pretty in a pale pink silk gown with a wreath of flowers upon her dark hair. She seemed small and dainty beside Lancaster’s bulk, and Deb couldn’t help but worry about her future. Her brother was not gentle with dainty things. He was selfish and liable to break Amy’s heart if she had the foolish misfortune to fall in love with him, although Deb was beginning to believe Amy was far too practical and sensible for that.

Any chance of the engagement being broken rested with Mr Blackwood, but he was sunk in his corner of the carriage as if he would have liked to disappear altogether. It had become obvious to Deb that he was no match for the earl’s loud and bombastic personality. Amy would be unlikely to find her father any help.

“The refreshments will be appalling,” the earl drawled now, holding a handkerchief to his nose as they passed by some cows watching them curiously from behind their fence.

“There was some rather nice cake once,” the countess spoke in her mild way.

“There’ll be plenty of wine.” Lancaster looked about enthusiastically. “A few glasses and I won’t care who I dance with.” He chortled.

Amy grimaced and bowed her head.

“You will be dancing with your fiancé, I should imagine.” Deb gave her brother a hard look.

Lancaster frowned but then his gaze slid to Amy and he started, as if he had forgotten his new status. “Of course,” he blustered.

The Georgian house was well lit up and sounds of music and conversation wafted over them as they alighted from the carriage. Ostlers took charge of the horses and for a moment the family stood gazing up at the stone building with the flight of steps to the open front doors. Sir Rollo’s title had been earned, not inherited, but he was wealthy, two things the earl found difficult to swallow.

“Let us proceed,” he said now with the air of one ascending a tumbril, and led the way inside.

His arrival was greeted with the appropriate expressions of pleasure—Sir Rollo never seemed to notice the earl’s snubs. Before long both the earl and the countess were lost among the crowd. Amy was clutching Deb’s hand and seemed intent on sticking close by her. Probably a wise move, Deb thought as she watched Lancaster snatch up one of the tankards on offer and tuck himself into a corner with some of his cronies.

She gave Amy a reassuring smile and moved into the crush. There were people she knew and she greeted them and introduced Amy, relieved when the girl seemed at ease with these new faces.

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