Read Online Lord Darlington's Darling by Gayle Buck - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Gayle Buck
Ads: Link
Though, I don’t know what Peter will say about spending an evening as Lord Dar lington’s guest,” said Mrs. Crocker with the hint of a smile.
“Does Peter dislike Lord Darlington so very much?” asked Abby, her gaze averted as she smoothed a crease in her skirt.
“Oh, well, we hardly know his lordship. It is just his coldness of manner and his taste for dandyism which have given Peter, and myself, a disinclination for his lordship’s company,” said Mrs. Crocker with a small laugh. “However, that need not throw up a barrier against an acquaintance with Lady Darlington and Lady Bethany. There are any number of personages in soci ety that we may not particularly like, Abby, but I am certain we shall treat all with proper civility.”
“Of course,” murmured Abby, feeling a lifting of her spirits. She did not know why, but the anticipation she felt for the Darlington soiree was much keener than for any of their other social commitments. She supposed it was because of how pleasant she had found all of the Darlingtons to be, including the marquess . For her part, she admired his nicety of dress. His was not a grossly overstated style, such as the padded and perfumed and ornamented practitioners of the true dandy set; yet the marquess did not exemplify the Corinthian set, either, with their severe lack of ornamentation or color.
The week went swiftly, filled as it was with several social engagements. Abby met Lady Darlington and Lady Bethany on different occasions, and while Lady Dar lington treated her with a flattering distinction, Lady Bethany quickly established herself as Abby’s bosom bow. Abby became the younger woman’s confidante and she came to enjoy the role, since it was the first time anyone had ever asked her opinion or accepted her thoughts as important.
As they walked arm in arm one afternoon in the park, Lady Bethany cast a swift glance behind her to see that their chaperoning maids had dropped back out of earshot. In a confiding voice she said, “Dearest Abby! You will never guess what has transpired!”
“Then, you must tell me,” said Abby warmly.
“Do you recall my telling you about a particular admirer of mine?” asked Lady Bethany.
“Vividly! I gathered he was an Adonis and a verita ble god among lesser mortals,” said Abby teasingly.
Lady Bethany laughed as a tinge of color rose in her face. “I suppose I must have sounded very silly to you.”
Abby pressed her hand. “Not at all! I perceive nothing wrong in falling in love with someone whom you admire.”
“Oh, I am so glad you agree! The thing is, Abby, he has followed me to London!” said Lady Bethany on a breathy laugh. Her eyes sparkled with a particularly radiant light.
“That is news, indeed!” exclaimed Abby. With a smile she said, “I will be most curious to be introduced to this gentleman whose name you have never revealed.”
“I am certain you will meet him everywhere!” said Lady Bethany airily. She slid a speculative glance at her companion. “However, I shan’t introduce you to him, Abby. You see, Sylvan does not approve of his adora tion for me.”
Abby shot her a startled, dismayed look. “I am sorry, Bethany! It—it must make it very awkward for you.”
“Oh, yes,” agreed Lady Bethany, with a lowering of her countenance. “It is of all things the most unfair! If Sylvan had the least bit of human feeling, he would understand how I feel.”
“Perhaps Lord Darlington considers your admirer to be unworthy of you,” suggested Abby tentatively.
“Of course he does! That is just it!” exclaimed Lady Bethany, beaming her approval of her companion’s quick wit. “I knew you would understand, Abby! Syl van dragged me up to London simply to separate us. But now my darling has followed me. Does not that prove his devotion to me? So I must and I shall see him!”
“Shouldn’t you abide by your brother’s wishes? I am positive his lordship has only your best interests at heart,” said
“Does Peter dislike Lord Darlington so very much?” asked Abby, her gaze averted as she smoothed a crease in her skirt.
“Oh, well, we hardly know his lordship. It is just his coldness of manner and his taste for dandyism which have given Peter, and myself, a disinclination for his lordship’s company,” said Mrs. Crocker with a small laugh. “However, that need not throw up a barrier against an acquaintance with Lady Darlington and Lady Bethany. There are any number of personages in soci ety that we may not particularly like, Abby, but I am certain we shall treat all with proper civility.”
“Of course,” murmured Abby, feeling a lifting of her spirits. She did not know why, but the anticipation she felt for the Darlington soiree was much keener than for any of their other social commitments. She supposed it was because of how pleasant she had found all of the Darlingtons to be, including the marquess . For her part, she admired his nicety of dress. His was not a grossly overstated style, such as the padded and perfumed and ornamented practitioners of the true dandy set; yet the marquess did not exemplify the Corinthian set, either, with their severe lack of ornamentation or color.
The week went swiftly, filled as it was with several social engagements. Abby met Lady Darlington and Lady Bethany on different occasions, and while Lady Dar lington treated her with a flattering distinction, Lady Bethany quickly established herself as Abby’s bosom bow. Abby became the younger woman’s confidante and she came to enjoy the role, since it was the first time anyone had ever asked her opinion or accepted her thoughts as important.
As they walked arm in arm one afternoon in the park, Lady Bethany cast a swift glance behind her to see that their chaperoning maids had dropped back out of earshot. In a confiding voice she said, “Dearest Abby! You will never guess what has transpired!”
“Then, you must tell me,” said Abby warmly.
“Do you recall my telling you about a particular admirer of mine?” asked Lady Bethany.
“Vividly! I gathered he was an Adonis and a verita ble god among lesser mortals,” said Abby teasingly.
Lady Bethany laughed as a tinge of color rose in her face. “I suppose I must have sounded very silly to you.”
Abby pressed her hand. “Not at all! I perceive nothing wrong in falling in love with someone whom you admire.”
“Oh, I am so glad you agree! The thing is, Abby, he has followed me to London!” said Lady Bethany on a breathy laugh. Her eyes sparkled with a particularly radiant light.
“That is news, indeed!” exclaimed Abby. With a smile she said, “I will be most curious to be introduced to this gentleman whose name you have never revealed.”
“I am certain you will meet him everywhere!” said Lady Bethany airily. She slid a speculative glance at her companion. “However, I shan’t introduce you to him, Abby. You see, Sylvan does not approve of his adora tion for me.”
Abby shot her a startled, dismayed look. “I am sorry, Bethany! It—it must make it very awkward for you.”
“Oh, yes,” agreed Lady Bethany, with a lowering of her countenance. “It is of all things the most unfair! If Sylvan had the least bit of human feeling, he would understand how I feel.”
“Perhaps Lord Darlington considers your admirer to be unworthy of you,” suggested Abby tentatively.
“Of course he does! That is just it!” exclaimed Lady Bethany, beaming her approval of her companion’s quick wit. “I knew you would understand, Abby! Syl van dragged me up to London simply to separate us. But now my darling has followed me. Does not that prove his devotion to me? So I must and I shall see him!”
“Shouldn’t you abide by your brother’s wishes? I am positive his lordship has only your best interests at heart,” said
Similar Books
