Read Online A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice by Reina M. Williams - Free Book Online

I’m sure you would feel refreshed.”
    “I am well, thank you. I would like to go back inside, please,” Cecilia said as she tried to retreat to the door. He seized her arm and walked toward the stairs leading to the shadowy grounds. She attempted to pull away, but his grip was stronger than she had thought.
    “I believe Miss Wilcox wishes to return to the ballroom, sir,” said a commanding voice behind them. It was Mr. Thornhill. The image of the lion rampant came to Cecilia at that moment, but Mr. Thornhill was all politeness. “Miss Wilcox, you were saving this dance for me?”
    “Yes, thank you,” she replied. The young man, seeing who confronted him, returned hastily to the ballroom.
    As Mr. Thornhill took her arm, he muttered. “Impudent young pup.”
    “Thank you, sir. I suppose you need not have troubled yourself. I could have prevented him, but I did not wish to call attention to myself.” Cecilia fought the urge to lean into his arm and let his scent, like that of the stand of elms along the stream at home, envelop and comfort her.
    “Indeed?” he said, his eyebrow raised, as they reached the door. “Now, shall we have that dance?”
    “Yes, thank you,” Cecilia replied. A deep warmth aroused her as he guided her in, yet irritation tickled her throat for he seemed ready to laugh at her. He was a most confusing man. She really preferred the giddy lightness Mr. Cateret and Mr. Mainmount inspired.
    Mr. Thornhill, though not the best dancer, was a strong partner. With him she felt no awkwardness, boredom, or disgust. He also looked very handsome in his buff breeches and waistcoat and a dark green dress coat which brought out the emerald in his sapphire eyes, reminding Cecilia of a cool stretch of river near Partridge Place. Cecilia noticed, too, that though Mr. Thornhill asked only two dances, he was always nearby, his calm yet penetrating eyes on her. His presence made her feel secure, yet unsettled.
    She had more reason to feel uneasy, too, when her mother and aunt introduced her to the Mainmounts. Sir Roderick Mainmount was a corpulent, complacent man, who shocked Cecilia by referring to an old friendship with her mother, who he spoke of as the beauty of his county and Lady Mainmount she found patronizing, though perhaps she was merely annoyed at her husband’s animated attention toward Mrs. Wilcox. Their son, as Cecilia knew from their meeting the day before, was more pleasing. He was much like Mr. Cateret in his dark looks and easy-going manner. While Cecilia felt drawn to Mr. Mainmount for these reasons, she was disquieted by them as well. Clearly her mother wished her to give him due attention, so she accepted his offer to take her into the dining room for refreshments to be followed by a dance.
    Cecilia was both amused and repelled by the ostentatious display of food and silver which greeted them. While it was the fashion to impress guests with such a presentation, her sensibility was offended. Surely one did not need or even want cold chicken, ham, rabbit, salmon, shrimp, three jellies, four puddings, including vegetable and muffin, sweetbreads, and several other dishes Cecilia did not recognize.
    There was only room for the ladies to sit, so Mr. Mainmount stood behind her, most attentive, bringing her what she wished from the sideboards. He seemed somewhat surprised that she only desired a little chicken, fruit, and a glass of punch, but Cecilia was not used to dining so late nor did her fluttering stomach feel equal to overindulgence. As she ate, she noticed Mr. Thornhill standing behind her aunt Higham. Clearly, he had escorted her in, which struck Cecilia as a kind gesture. His look of displeasure did not match this assumption, though Cecilia quickly realized that his frown was directed at Mr. Mainmount. She shifted in her seat, wondering if there was something unsavory about her companion or if Mr. Thornhill was merely jealous. Neither option was favorable because her mother would most