Read Online Crossed Quills by Carola Dunn - Free Book Online

her to sponsor Kitty alone. I hope you will go to one or two dances at least, to see how you go on, but if you hate it, my love, you know I shall not force you to continue.”
     Dropping to the floor, Pippa rested her cheek against her mother’s knee. “Oh Mama, I dread it so.”
     “I know, Pippa love, but give it a chance.” Mrs Lisle stroked her hair. “I cannot bear for you to wither away into an old maid, or worse, to become Mrs Postlethwaite! Not that I mean to say the vicar is not a worthy man, and kind in his way.”
     “It was kind in Lord Selworth, was it not, to offer to find us a place to stay in London?”
     “Yes indeed. I do not know how we should contrive without his assistance. Most houses will be taken already at this late date, and I cannot afford to pay enough to give us much choice at the best of times. I hope Kitty will not be disappointed to be living in an unfashionable district.”
     “She will learn to know her true friends by whether they consider themselves too grand to call,” Pippa said tartly. “Dearest Mama, how can she, or I, be disappointed when we have the best mama in the world?”
     Mrs Lisle smiled. “I trust you will one day discover,” she said softly, “that what a mother does for her children she does to please herself. Well then, I hope we shall not all be disappointed. It is by no means certain that Mrs Debenham will choose to support her brother. For all we know, she disapproves of his Radical views.”
    * * * *
     “Wynn, the most vexatious thing!” Millicent jumped up and ran to meet her brother at the drawing-room door. Hanging on his arm, she prattled on, “Some horrid busybody has persuaded Mama that Bina is too young to be a proper chaperon for me. Mama says she will come to lend us countenance, but Bina says we must not tear her away from the children and Papa, and the only other person who will do is George’s horrid Aunt Prendergast. Wynn, I cannot bear—”
     “Hush, chatterbox! And pray don’t let me hear you speaking ill of George’s relatives.” Detaching her from his sleeve, over her blond head he gave his brother-in-law a wry nod. “Especially in his presence! Apologize, Millie.”
     “Well, I’m sorry, George, but it was you who told me—”
     “It’s all too true,” George Debenham interrupted, having already learnt the necessity if one was to make oneself heard in his young sister-in-law’s presence. A tall, dark, rather saturnine gentleman, he moved forward and shook Wynn’s hand. “I wouldn’t wish my aunt on anyone, and poor Bina is in despair.”
     “But there is no one else, Wynn,” Millie moaned. “Neither George nor Mama and Papa have any relatives both suitable and available. I do think Mama could leave the children now that there are servants to take care of them and Papa, but Bina says—”
     “Bina says,” said that lady as Wynn bent to kiss her cheek, noting that she looked more determined than despairing, “Mama hates to be away from the young ones and Papa, and hates London. I recall all too well how she pined when she brought me up for my Season. I will not be responsible for putting her through the misery again.”
     “Quite right,” Wynn seconded her. Her unruffled firmness reminded him strongly of Mrs Lisle. A splendid notion struck him. “Hush, infant,” he ordered, raising his hand as Millie started to babble again. “If you will only let me think, I may have the answer.”
     In a pregnant silence, he sat down, absently accepting the glass of Madeira Debenham inserted into his hand.
     Mrs Lisle lacked connections in the Beau Monde, but she was perfectly respectable. Bina had the connections, through her husband, but lacked an older lady to lend her countenance as a chaperon. She was acquainted with Mrs Lisle, and she was Pippa Lisle’s friend.
     On the other hand, Debenham had at most a fleeting acquaintance with the Lisles, and several years ago. Was it too much to ask him to take