Pursuing Priscilla by Emily Hendrickson

Author:Emily Hendrickson [Hendrickson, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2003-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The next morning Priscilla woke early. After a peek out of the window to check the sky, she hastily dressed in a deep-blue merino cloth riding habit trimmed with unusual embroidery. It promised to be a fine day eventually once the mist wore off. She perched her small round hat of fine beaver on her blond curls, checked its set in the looking glass before gathering her Limerick gloves and crop. It was a simple matter to slip quietly from her room. A misty blue sky made her hopeful that the morning would improve.

She paused in the entry to request her horse be brought around from the rental stables.

Her blue kid half boots made no sound as she made her way to the breakfast room. Aunt Mercy was not to be seen. However, that dear lady had discovered that Felix’s aunt Beatrice rode in the park at a very early hour—hence Priscilla’s determination she would see her there.

Thinking it best to have a substantial breakfast rather than toast and chocolate, she consumed an ample meal. While nibbling on a scone, she wondered how Lady Beatrice would receive her—if Priscilla found her. Would she turn up her nose at being accosted by a stranger? Oh, Priscilla devoutly hoped not. She swallowed a sip of tea, then took a resolute breath as she rose from the table.

It was important to meet another of Felix’s relatives. She was sure he was having some second thoughts about his dear uncle George. Likely Felix’s dislike of them had begun in his boyhood. It seemed to her that as an adult he hadn’t seen enough of them to alter his opinion from blameless to scandalous. She wished she knew more, but perhaps that would be revealed all in good time.

She drew on her gloves and picked up the crop. The horse rented from the nearby stable waited at the bottom of the steps when Simpkins opened the front door for her.

As late as it had been when Lord Latimer had brought her home, she was wide-awake, most likely with the excited thought of actually making the acquaintance of Lady Beatrice. If, that is, Lady Beatrice would allow an unknown young woman to be so bold. But then, it seemed to Priscilla that any woman who had the daring to elope with her brother’s tutor might be approachable.

* * * *

Mist drifted across the park in the early morning light. Golden shafts of sunlight pierced the haze that now revealed, now concealed the landscape. Ghostly trees loomed up like ragged giant mushrooms on tall rough stems. It was not really chilly, but she shivered just the same—nerves, most likely.

She searched the path ahead. The parkland lay to one side, with Rotten Row behind her. Where was Lady Beatrice? As time passed, Priscilla began to think her quest hopeless. She walked her horse along the Row, alert for the sight of another rider. There was not a soul to be seen through the mists. She was about to turn back, deciding she would have to try on the morrow, when a distant movement gave her pause.

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