Read Online Cherished Enemy by Patricia Veryan - Free Book Online

away, and mumbled, “I really am—most terribly—I mean, I am so very sorry for—”
    â€œEh?” asked Mrs. Estelle, fixing him with a puzzled stare.
    â€œFor having ruined Miss Albritton’s—ah, sketches,” stammered the unhappy Victor.
    â€œOh. Well, that was really the fault of my naughty baby dog. Lean this way a little, my love. Do you know, ’tis the most amazing coincidence, but Dr. Victor is a friend of our Charles!”
    Rosamond’s covert smile vanished. If Dr. Victor cried friends with her brother, he must be a gentleman after all, which threw a rather different light on matters. “Good gracious! Have you known Charles long, Doctor?”
    â€œSome years, Miss Albritton.”
    â€œAnd do you know what I was thinking?” said Mrs. Estelle. “I was thinking how lovely it would be could we persuade the doctor to become our courier.”
    Her eyes upon Victor’s flushed face, Rosamond witnessed an odd transformation. The agony of embarrassment disappeared; the high colour faded; his hands ceased their efforts to secure his bandage, and he stood straight and very still. “Courier, ma’am?” he enquired in an expressionless voice, his suddenly piercing gaze fixed upon her aunt.
    â€˜Lud,’ thought Rosamond, ‘up go his feathers again!’ Regretting her lapse into kinder feelings towards him, she suggested with a curl of the lip, “Perchance we offend the doctor, Aunt. He likely has more important things to do.”
    â€œNonsense,” declared Estelle, beaming. “He certainly can spare a few days. You behold, dear Doctor, two unfortunate ladies who have been deserted by their maids. Deserted by the wicked girls! As if that were not bad enough, my nephew, who had agreed to escort us home, is prostrated by mal de mer and will be unfit to travel for some days. He is willing, poor lad, but ’twould be better for him, and for us, no doubt—no doubt —did he rest in Dover and go straight back to Paris. You are a physician. My niece would benefit by your presence, and you would render my brother-in-law a great service did you agree to escort us.”
    â€œI am flattered, ma’am,” he said, returning to his bandage. “It chances I have business in The Weald, but—”
    â€œOur home is not in The Weald, sir,” said Rosamond. “Are you thinking perhaps of Little Snoring?”
    â€œI had the impression,” he said, still avoiding her gaze, “erroneous evidently, that you lived with your brother, yes.”
    â€œâ€™Tis quite the other way around,” said Mrs. Estelle. “You would not believe, Doctor—you positively would not believe how that poor boy is bustled about from parish to parish! I was telling Rosamond—but that is neither here nor there. Our home is in Sussex. Not far north of Chichester.”
    â€œIt is called Lennox Court,” said Rosamond, adding ironically, “and ’tis a simple home. We do not live as does Tante Maria.”
    Victor’s eyes lifted. He frowned into two blue and disdainful eyes and knew that now this unpredictable chit was judging him to be an opportunist.
    â€œWe may not live as does your aunt,” Mrs. Porchester said, indignant, “but Lennox Court is a lovely old place, and we have no need to apologize for it, child!” She laid one hand on the doctor’s sleeve. “Do say you will oblige us. If only out of your friendship with Charles. I am very sure Colonel Albritton will more than recompense you for your time.”
    At this his chin lifted and the now familiar glint of hauteur came into his eyes. ‘Well, well,’ thought Rosamond. ‘Now, Aunt Estelle has offended His Arrogance, wherefore ’tis unlikely we shall have the dubious pleasure of his escort.’
    Victor tied the knot, drew the sheet over his handiwork, and looked from the aloof young face to the hopeful older