Read Online Elizabeth Kidd by My Lady Mischief - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: My Lady Mischief
Ads: Link
the dining room.
Old times, indeed.
Chapter 6
Lady Kedrington glanced out the library window, saw that the warm afternoon would linger into a fine evening, and went back to arranging profusions of spring flowers in a silver bowl on a side table. It was only one of many such arrangements scattered throughout the house for, as she had sensibly pointed out to her husband when he raised his eyebrow at the stream of blooms being carted in from the florist’s wagon, there was nothing like flowers to accentuate a happy occasion. Furthermore, she had every intention of showing Elena all around the house so that she would feel at home in it, and she wanted every room to look its best for her future sister-in-law.
“Were there not sufficient quantities of tulips at Windeshiem to satisfy your requirements?” his lordship enquired mildly from his chair, where he was perusing the morning’s post.
“As a matter of fact, there were not,” his lady informed him. “I really must speak to Robinson when we are next at home about planting more bulbs.”
“We shall be there before you know it,” Kedrington said. It was indeed their habit to retire to their country estate by the end of July, after taking a short holiday in some seaside town, if not Brighton, which could be more trying than London when the Prince Regent was in residence.
Antonia glanced at him. “Do not think, dearest, that I miss Windeshiem so much as all that. I know I am a country girl at heart, but with all that is going on in town just now, I cannot be sorry to be here in the midst of it.”
“I know that your delight in arranging a social affair is forever at war with your desire for a comfortably rural life.”
“It is contradictory of me, is it not? You are a treasure, Duncan, to be forever patient with my contradictions.”
“For purely selfish reasons, I assure you. It keeps me on my toes to anticipate your next whim—that is, your pleasure.”
“Whim is the correct word. I do not deny it. I daresay one day you will tire of my flightiness, but so long as you find it novel, I will take advantage of your peculiar fascination.”
His lordship smiled and went back to his letters. “Here is one for you, Antonia. Trotter must have overlooked it when he sorted our correspondence.”
Antonia took the letter and tore it open carelessly. “It is from your Aunt Hester, confirming her attendance at dinner tonight.”
“Julia, one gathers, expects Miss Melville to wait upon her like the rest of us, now that she has approved her entry into the family.”
“Of course, and I cannot say I am sorry for Julia’s absence. It was all I could do to whittle down the guest list to a number that would not cause Elena to blanch at seeing them all gathered at the same dinner table.”
“Yes, I noticed that your little soirée turned into a dinner party almost overnight. What is the final tally?”
“Twelve. I did attempt to limit the number to six—Carey and Elena, you and I, Hester, and Arthur Melville—but then there would have been no one to make an announcement to . You don’t think Elena will be overwhelmed, do you?”
“I can only congratulate you on your restraint.”
“I did my best to keep the menu simple and drew the line at inviting only those persons who are resident in town, although I should have liked to have Octavian and Isabel to complete the family.”
“A wise distinction.” Kedrington glanced at his wife speculatively. “How is Isabel?”
Antonia’s niece, her late older brother’s only child, was in the family way only six months after her wedding, and while Kedrington knew that Antonia was as happy for her as she could be, he did not doubt she harbored a certain envy at the apparent ease with which her niece, only eight years younger than herself, was blossoming into motherhood. He hoped Antonia would not have much longer to wait. He wished he could alleviate that particular longing of hers, and he did not attempt any
Old times, indeed.
Chapter 6
Lady Kedrington glanced out the library window, saw that the warm afternoon would linger into a fine evening, and went back to arranging profusions of spring flowers in a silver bowl on a side table. It was only one of many such arrangements scattered throughout the house for, as she had sensibly pointed out to her husband when he raised his eyebrow at the stream of blooms being carted in from the florist’s wagon, there was nothing like flowers to accentuate a happy occasion. Furthermore, she had every intention of showing Elena all around the house so that she would feel at home in it, and she wanted every room to look its best for her future sister-in-law.
“Were there not sufficient quantities of tulips at Windeshiem to satisfy your requirements?” his lordship enquired mildly from his chair, where he was perusing the morning’s post.
“As a matter of fact, there were not,” his lady informed him. “I really must speak to Robinson when we are next at home about planting more bulbs.”
“We shall be there before you know it,” Kedrington said. It was indeed their habit to retire to their country estate by the end of July, after taking a short holiday in some seaside town, if not Brighton, which could be more trying than London when the Prince Regent was in residence.
Antonia glanced at him. “Do not think, dearest, that I miss Windeshiem so much as all that. I know I am a country girl at heart, but with all that is going on in town just now, I cannot be sorry to be here in the midst of it.”
“I know that your delight in arranging a social affair is forever at war with your desire for a comfortably rural life.”
“It is contradictory of me, is it not? You are a treasure, Duncan, to be forever patient with my contradictions.”
“For purely selfish reasons, I assure you. It keeps me on my toes to anticipate your next whim—that is, your pleasure.”
“Whim is the correct word. I do not deny it. I daresay one day you will tire of my flightiness, but so long as you find it novel, I will take advantage of your peculiar fascination.”
His lordship smiled and went back to his letters. “Here is one for you, Antonia. Trotter must have overlooked it when he sorted our correspondence.”
Antonia took the letter and tore it open carelessly. “It is from your Aunt Hester, confirming her attendance at dinner tonight.”
“Julia, one gathers, expects Miss Melville to wait upon her like the rest of us, now that she has approved her entry into the family.”
“Of course, and I cannot say I am sorry for Julia’s absence. It was all I could do to whittle down the guest list to a number that would not cause Elena to blanch at seeing them all gathered at the same dinner table.”
“Yes, I noticed that your little soirée turned into a dinner party almost overnight. What is the final tally?”
“Twelve. I did attempt to limit the number to six—Carey and Elena, you and I, Hester, and Arthur Melville—but then there would have been no one to make an announcement to . You don’t think Elena will be overwhelmed, do you?”
“I can only congratulate you on your restraint.”
“I did my best to keep the menu simple and drew the line at inviting only those persons who are resident in town, although I should have liked to have Octavian and Isabel to complete the family.”
“A wise distinction.” Kedrington glanced at his wife speculatively. “How is Isabel?”
Antonia’s niece, her late older brother’s only child, was in the family way only six months after her wedding, and while Kedrington knew that Antonia was as happy for her as she could be, he did not doubt she harbored a certain envy at the apparent ease with which her niece, only eight years younger than herself, was blossoming into motherhood. He hoped Antonia would not have much longer to wait. He wished he could alleviate that particular longing of hers, and he did not attempt any
Similar Books
