Olivia by Joan Smith

Author:Joan Smith [Smith, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1980-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I was at pains to be on hand when Harmsworth came to call on Miss Crowell the next day. This was accomplished by watching for his arrival from the window in Dottie’s room, where we chose to study on that occasion. I slid swiftly downstairs and passed my parcel to him before he entered the saloon. He accepted it with a silent wink. Just what procedure would be employed to transfer the money back to me was not set upon, but I supposed he would return the next morning, and trusted his ingenuity.

Meanwhile, there was a day to be got in somehow. It turned out to be a fine day, and a perfectly wretched evening. But first for the day. Some cousins of Lady Synge had landed in town for a piece of the Season, and were putting up with relatives in Berkeley Square. They had, apparently, a daughter whom they optimistically hoped to see shot off in a few weeks. The papa was a bishop. As there was a daughter in the party, Dottie and Alice were taken along, leaving me free. I cherished these days of freedom. It was a great pity Lady Monterne had left the city, for it would have been an excellent occasion to visit her.

I have not thus far mentioned them, but my father also had some relations in the city whom I had not yet gotten around to calling on. They lived rather away from the center of things, out in Hans Town. The paterfamilias was a retired sea captain. They did not live in a high way, but the house was genteel and the family had been educated. Piano, books, carpeted stairway and other marks of gentility were in evidence. The wife was lively, a gossipy soul who reveled in my tales of the ton. As it gave her so much pleasure to hear the words “Marchioness,” “Lord” and “Lady,” I sprinkled them liberally over my talk.

"Your mama’s sister married some cousin of the Monternes, did she not?” Captain Danner asked.

“My mama was part of the family herself,” I informed him.

“Ah, that would be why you’re so interested in all these aristo people. Not much use for them myself. They put on their trousers one leg at a time like the rest of us, when all’s said and done.”

“True,” his wife told him with a sage nod, “but the trousers have deeper pocket, eh Olivia?”

“I hope you have not taken the absurd idea I am impressed with a title, only because the people I associate with are all lords and ladies. You may be sure they will be saying there is nothing but a sea captain for me, when I go back to Russell Square talking of you, Captain Danner.” I rallied him.

"You could do worse, Dear,” Mrs. Danner told me.

I did not mean to stay so long, but somehow the whole afternoon slipped away, and I got back to Synges just in time to change for dinner. Lady Synge was awaiting me in my room.

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