Read Online Lovers' Vows by Joan Smith - Free Book Online

today,” he answered. “What play would you enjoy to do?”
    “We?” Jane asked. “Lord Dewar, we are not actresses!” She laughed aloud at the very idea of herself or Holly standing on a stage in front of everyone, making cakes of themselves.
    Holly remembered his remark regarding her fine voice. She looked at him, incredulous. “Certainly not! It is not to be thought of!” she seconded.
    “Thank God for that!” Homberly sighed, at peace with the world, “Rubbishing idea. Tell me, Miss Proctor, you ride at all?”
    Her answer was not heard by Holly, or her mother either. These two ladies were immediately subjected to a verbal barrage from Dewar that did not leave them an ear free to listen. “Of course it is only an amateur performance we have in mind,” he began persuasively, “for a small group of friends.”
    “That won’t bring much culture to the local people in general, will it?” Holly asked. “Not to the ones who need it, I mean, and would enjoy it as a great novelty. The gentlefolks you speak of may go to a play in London as often as they like.”
    “As a local resident, you would have a better idea of who might enjoy it,” he agreed instantly. “It is why I especially wanted to talk to you—all you ladies at Stonecroft. Mama suggested you as being very active in all the goings-on in the village. The charity work, the church projects, and so on.”
    "That is true,” Lady Proctor nodded, taking some credit for her niece’s active involvement. “The sewing, for instance, we do a great deal of, and when Mr. Johnson had his bazaar last spring we did three-quarters of the preparing. The notices for the shop windows, the setting up of the stalls, the prizes...”
    “We are much too busy to spend any considerable amount of time in preparing a play,” Holly said. “I, personally, have not a moment free.”
    “With that voice of yours, you must take part, Miss McCormack,” Dewar objected. “It struck me the moment you spoke last evening that it was made for the stage. A deep, carrying tone, but still very musical. I have not heard a finer voice anywhere, and I include Mrs. Siddons in that. Your voice reminds me of her.”
    If he thought to cut any ice with this comparison he was out. Lady Proctor could not quite place the name, though she was sure she had heard it before, and Holly knew when she was being cozzened. “Thank you for the compliment, sir, but I have never acted on a stage, and never intend to. I know it takes up a great deal of time, and I am too busy.”
    “What is it you do that doesn’t leave you a free moment?” he asked.
    “Charity work. I also help my aunt here at home.” She reached down and picked up an orphan’s shirt as she spoke, to prove her point.
    “As to that, Holly, there are plenty of servants, if you want to help Lord Dewar put on his little play,” Lady Proctor said. From the corner of her eye, she saw that nig-nog of a Jane discussing riding with Mr. Homberly, whom she sincerely hoped would not take part in the dramatic presentation. Jane must be in the play to keep her under Dewar’s eyes and, as chaperoning would be required, Holly too would participate. It was just the sort of occupation she did so well—dignified, genteel work. “You could always stitch on the shirts while you chaperone, Holly.”
    Dewar looked startled at this speech. “I hope you will take a more active part than only chaperoning,” he said.
    “No, really, I am not at all sure I can even do that. I help Mr. Johnson with the church arrangements. I usually spend an afternoon a week with the church committee, and one or more with the charity work.”
    “That leaves five afternoons and seven mornings,” he pointed out.
    “And when Mr. Parsons fell ill last winter, you remember, Auntie, I took the school for a full month. Mr. Prendergast wanted to do it, but he had just undertaken to help Mr. Raymond and could not get away.”
    “Is Mr. Parsons ill at the moment? I had not