Read Online Chivalrous by Dina L. Sleiman - Free Book Online Page B

over. Perhaps just a slight dip to the knees and bend to the head,” Rosalind said.
    Gwendolyn shifted her stance.
    Her mother resumed her circular path around Gwendolyn. “Do you feel more comfortable now, darling?”
    â€œYes, Mother. I suppose I could manage this way.”
    â€œThat puts her beneath the average height of a nobleman. And might I suggest,” Rosalind dared to add, “that if she dances or converses with a man taller than herself—which, rest assured, many shall be—she need not worry so much about her height. I fear such concerns shall cause her to grow nervous and awkward in her conversation.”
    Lady Barnes put a hand on her hip and tilted her head. “I think she shall fare well enough. We have been rehearsing her banter, and she has been instructed to smile and giggle, to flutter her lashes and turn her eyes to the floor as oft as possible. Men are quite susceptible to such tactics.”
    â€œAre you all quite finished discussing me as if I am not in the room?” Gwendolyn sneered.
    â€œTut, tut, tut!” her mother said.
    Gwendolyn pasted a syrupy smile in place of the sneer.
    â€œMuch better.” Lady Barnes raised herself on tiptoes to place a kiss on her daughter’s cheek. “Never fear, darling. Once a handsome young man catches your fancy, our efforts will make perfect sense.”
    â€œAs if Father cares who catches my fancy,” Gwendolyn grumbled.
    â€œNow, what have I been telling you?” Lady Barnes stomped her petite foot upon the stone floor. “You must curry your father’s favor. Charm him alongside everyone else, and he shall give you your way.”
    â€œLike he has given you your way over the wine issue?” Gwendolyn cocked a brow.
    Her mother’s cheeks flamed bright red. “That is . . . different, and rather unkind of you to mention.”
    But Gwendolyn’s harsh statement did its job in closing the subject. Rosalind still did not know if the baron might relent from finding a domineering husband for Gwendolyn as he had threatened. Rosalind for one could not imagine life trapped with such a man.
    Of course these days she could only imagine life with one virile, jovial, and entirely unsuitable man. Despite her strict instructions to herself, her mind wandered to Hugh’s attractive face day and night. Rosalind managed to hold back a groanof pain. Why was it that she could offer such excellent advice to Gwendolyn, while in affairs of her own heart, she behaved like a half-witted sot?
    At that moment, Gwendolyn’s troublesome little pup Angel, who had been drowsing upon the hearth, streaked in a flash of white across the room and stole Gwendolyn’s blue silk slipper from where it sat near the bed.
    â€œNo! No, you bad little dog!” Rosalind grabbed for her, but Angel took that as an invitation to play. She ducked under the bed and flew out the other side.
    Rosalind dove over the mattress but wasn’t quick enough. She chased the dog about the bed, slipping as she rounded the corner and nearly crashing into Gwendolyn’s mother.
    â€œGood heavens!” Lady Barnes squealed, clutching her hands to her chest.
    Mischief, perched on his imperial pillow throne as usual, seemed to think the chase a grand idea and joined in the fun, jumping down to grab the matching slipper and dash about as well.
    â€œStop that at once, both of you,” Gwendolyn demanded in a stern tone of voice. “Bring!”
    The absurd little dogs obeyed their mistress like a tiny battalion of well-trained soldiers. Meanwhile, Rosalind held back her huff of frustration.
    â€œGood girl, good boy,” Gwendolyn said as they dropped the slippers at her feet, and she gave them each an affectionate pat.
    Lady Barnes straightened her mantle. “I cannot believe I let you drag those troublesome creatures along.”
    No sooner had she said as much, than Angel stood upon her hind legs and