Read Online Melinda Hammond by Highclough Lady - Free Book Online
Authors: Highclough Lady
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me, child, it is all nothing. A young man must have a little wildness, after all! Now, I promised Cook I would check on the grain chests for her, to make sure we have sufficient oats and barley for the rest of the winter!'
The good lady hurried away, leaving Verity to her own thoughts, which immediately returned to Luke's animosity towards Rafe Bannerman. Her cousin's insinuations haunted her: she had begun to depend upon Mr Bannerman and it disturbed her to think that he might not be working for her best interests. Her mind was somewhat put at rest after her visit to Mr Reedley She had written to the lawyer requesting an appointment, and while Mrs Worsthorne continued with her shopping, Verity spent an hour with the lawyer in his chambers, discussing the terms of her grandfather's will.
Mr Reedley had been the family lawyer for many years, and he declared that he had every confidence in Mr Bannerman, but it was clear to Miss Shore that the lawyer was nearing the end of his career and she doubted that he would question any decisions made by his co-executor unless they were truly outrageous. However, she came away from the meeting sufficiently reassured to put her doubts aside, and to enjoy the novelty of purchasing a gown for the Newlands Ball.
* * * *
The fashionable modiste favoured by Mrs Worsthorne turned out to be an experienced seamstress with excellent taste. She assured them the dresses could be made up in a trice, and the ladies spent a few happy hours poring over fabrics and fashion plates, eventually selecting designs that they were confident would make the most of their attractions at the coming ball. More visits to Halifax were arranged, but by mid December the ladies could at last look forward to the ball, confident in the knowledge that their dress would do them no disservice.
When the gowns were finally delivered a few days before Christmas, Mr Worsthorne was required to admire the ladies' finery. The robes were unpacked in the morning room and Verity dragged Luke from the estate office to view their purchases. She took his arm and led him into the morning room where the floor was littered with silver tissue.
'Come Cousin, your estate duties can wait while you see the magnificent gown Madam Juliet has made up for your mama.'
Mrs Worsthorne held up the gown for his inspection.
'There,' cried Verity, ' Is that not wonderful? Your mama will look as fine as fivepence in her gown, will she not?'
Luke smiled.
'And you, Cousin – what will you be wearing?'
Verity swooped upon another large box lying on the sofa and pulled out a shimmering creation in green and gold, sending another cloud of tissue paper drifting to the floor.
'There Luke,' said Margaret, carefully folding away her own gown. 'Will you not be proud to escort two such well-dressed ladies to Newlands?'
'I – am not sure I shall be going.'
Two pairs of eyes turned towards him and the ladies cried out in unison.
'Luke!'
'But why would you not wish to go?' Verity demanded.
'The estate business has fallen behind, and I can ill afford the time …'
'Fiddle! What is there that cannot wait?' she challenged him. 'You have not given me a chance to prove myself yet, but I will help you, if you will let me. After all I need to learn about the estate if I am to manage it half as well as you. Besides,' she added, 'with so few acquaintances, I need you to engage me for the first two dances, at the very least.'
Luke returned her smile and relaxed a little.
'Well, if it means so much to you –'
'Of course it does, to both of us,' declared his mama. 'And if you really mean to stay away, how comes it you have bought yourself a new coat?'
Luke flushed, then gave a self-conscious laugh.
'Gad, Mama! Can a man have no secrets here?'
'It would seem not,' returned Verity, twinkling. 'Now let us hear no more about you staying away!'
* * * *
Christmas morning dawned damp and cold, but although the roads
The good lady hurried away, leaving Verity to her own thoughts, which immediately returned to Luke's animosity towards Rafe Bannerman. Her cousin's insinuations haunted her: she had begun to depend upon Mr Bannerman and it disturbed her to think that he might not be working for her best interests. Her mind was somewhat put at rest after her visit to Mr Reedley She had written to the lawyer requesting an appointment, and while Mrs Worsthorne continued with her shopping, Verity spent an hour with the lawyer in his chambers, discussing the terms of her grandfather's will.
Mr Reedley had been the family lawyer for many years, and he declared that he had every confidence in Mr Bannerman, but it was clear to Miss Shore that the lawyer was nearing the end of his career and she doubted that he would question any decisions made by his co-executor unless they were truly outrageous. However, she came away from the meeting sufficiently reassured to put her doubts aside, and to enjoy the novelty of purchasing a gown for the Newlands Ball.
* * * *
The fashionable modiste favoured by Mrs Worsthorne turned out to be an experienced seamstress with excellent taste. She assured them the dresses could be made up in a trice, and the ladies spent a few happy hours poring over fabrics and fashion plates, eventually selecting designs that they were confident would make the most of their attractions at the coming ball. More visits to Halifax were arranged, but by mid December the ladies could at last look forward to the ball, confident in the knowledge that their dress would do them no disservice.
When the gowns were finally delivered a few days before Christmas, Mr Worsthorne was required to admire the ladies' finery. The robes were unpacked in the morning room and Verity dragged Luke from the estate office to view their purchases. She took his arm and led him into the morning room where the floor was littered with silver tissue.
'Come Cousin, your estate duties can wait while you see the magnificent gown Madam Juliet has made up for your mama.'
Mrs Worsthorne held up the gown for his inspection.
'There,' cried Verity, ' Is that not wonderful? Your mama will look as fine as fivepence in her gown, will she not?'
Luke smiled.
'And you, Cousin – what will you be wearing?'
Verity swooped upon another large box lying on the sofa and pulled out a shimmering creation in green and gold, sending another cloud of tissue paper drifting to the floor.
'There Luke,' said Margaret, carefully folding away her own gown. 'Will you not be proud to escort two such well-dressed ladies to Newlands?'
'I – am not sure I shall be going.'
Two pairs of eyes turned towards him and the ladies cried out in unison.
'Luke!'
'But why would you not wish to go?' Verity demanded.
'The estate business has fallen behind, and I can ill afford the time …'
'Fiddle! What is there that cannot wait?' she challenged him. 'You have not given me a chance to prove myself yet, but I will help you, if you will let me. After all I need to learn about the estate if I am to manage it half as well as you. Besides,' she added, 'with so few acquaintances, I need you to engage me for the first two dances, at the very least.'
Luke returned her smile and relaxed a little.
'Well, if it means so much to you –'
'Of course it does, to both of us,' declared his mama. 'And if you really mean to stay away, how comes it you have bought yourself a new coat?'
Luke flushed, then gave a self-conscious laugh.
'Gad, Mama! Can a man have no secrets here?'
'It would seem not,' returned Verity, twinkling. 'Now let us hear no more about you staying away!'
* * * *
Christmas morning dawned damp and cold, but although the roads
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