Read Online Lady Myddelton's Lover by Evangeline Holland - Free Book Online

violet-scented embrace. She tossed her wrap and feather boa aside and sank into the chair beside him in a frou-frou of silk and lace, her wide-brimmed hat perched saucily over one dark eyebrow. She reached into her bag, pulled a slim, gold cigarette case from its depths, and flicked it open. He shook his head to decline her offer, but handed her a case of matches he had in his pocket.
    “Now,” She said, lighting a gold-tipped cigarette. “Tell me just why Aline left London in such a hurry.”
    His conversation with Lady Idira was rather illuminating; though she did most of the talking, punctuating her very strong opinions with a wave of her cigarette. Nevertheless, he candor was surprisingly comforting, and he told her about his and Aline’s first incredible, though entirely surprising on his part, meeting. Lady Idira broke into peals of laughter, and he waited for her to explain her amusement, a smile playing about his mouth.
    “You remember Lady Vernon, no?” She gasped between bouts of chuckles.
    He nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
    “It was entirely her idea to arrange Aline’s desire for a lover for her birthday,” Lady Idira grinned. “I never would have imagined you would appear—I wonder what happened to the man she hired for the night.”
                  “Well, ah,” Richard said sheepishly. “It was always me.”
                  “Blow me down with a feather!” Lady Idira cried, startled from her mirth. “How did that come about, and without my knowledge?”
                  “Lady Vernon wired me on my ship as it sailed into Southampton, and told me Aline wanted to see me in London that night,” He ran a hand through his hair. “I had no idea what awaited me here.”
                  “And you rushed to meet her the moment you stepped out of the railway.” Lady Idira said wondrously. “You love her.”
                  “Madly,” He admitted.
                  “Why are you here, and she is there?”
                  He dropped his gaze from her inquiring gaze to hide the burning sensation in his eyes. “She does not want to marry me.”
                  “I don’t believe her,” Lady Idira exclaimed. “And I definitely do not believe you are craven enough to accept her rejection.”
                  “She said no, and she is gone. That appears absolute enough for me.”
                  “And what are you going to do now? Sail back to Australia and soothe your man’s pride amongst your cattle?”
                  “I’m the Earl,” Richard said shortly. “I have responsibilities, duties, and people here.”
                  “Then be the earl, and capture your countess.” Lady Idira said simply.
     
    ***
     
                  Myddelton Park was famous for its gardens. A turreted baronial house gifted to an Elizabethan Myddelton by his grateful Queen, It surrounded three square courts and covers about five acres and contained three hundred and sixty-five rooms and had seven great staircases, some of them very elaborate. This Richard learned from the liveried guide who ushered the parties of gaping visitors, each of whom paid two shillings to tour the estate (a privilege extended to tourists by the fourth Earl of Myddelton in the early ‘eighties to shore up the family’s waning coffers). He joined the tour merely by accident, having caught a train from London packed with boisterous American tourists, who flipped through red leather bound Baedekers, and pointed and stared at every landmark printed in the guide.
                  He paused before a Gainsborough portrait of a distant ancestor of his, and smiled mildly at the guide, who frowned at him for not keeping pace with the party. He opened the printed guide of the house, planning to slip the tour as soon as he figured out how to get from the portrait gallery to