Read Online Miss Cresswell's London Triumph by Evelyn Richardson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Evelyn Richardson
Ads: Link
wicked ways. You must take me for a drive in the park and tell me more."
"And," pursued Arabella, keeping a close eye on Ned as he leaned over to respond to Lady Jersey's latest sally, "IVe heard you have both become disgustingly plump in the pocket, veritable Golden Balls, if ballroom gossip is to be believed."
"Don't believe a word of it, Bella," admonished Freddie, trying desperately to pry himself loose from her clutches. "You know what the town tabbies are." He at last succeeded in pulling away from her to join his sister, whom he greeted with visible relief. "Cassie, at last! Will you grant a poor fellow, desperate for intelligent female companionship of any sort, even if it is his sister's, this dance?"
Cassie laughed. "Of course, Freddie, with all the pleasure in the world." The two strolled off, leaving Arabella and Horace to deal with each other as best they could.
It would have been a gross exaggeration to say that all of London was intrigued by the reappearance of the two travelers, but their return certainly formed the main topic of conversation the next day in several select drawing rooms. The floor of one of these in particular was littered with exotic trifles as Freddie distributed acquisitions from his travels to his nearest and dearest. "Freddie, how lovely! You are rigging me out in the latest fashion whether I will or no," exclaimed Cassie, surveying the effect of a cashmere shawl draped artistically over her shoulders while Frances slid numerous delicate gold bracelets onto her wrist. Theodore, totally entranced by a set of elephants and their mahouts beautifully carved in ivory, was arranging them on the floor before an interested audience. Nelson, Wellington, and Ethelred were divided in their opinions—Nelson wishing to bat the pieces around on the carpet, Wellington feeling it would be more amusing to chew them, while Ethelred, unready as usual, sat regarding them suspiciously with beady black eyes.
Lord Mainwaring was ensconced in a chair by the fire reviewing the reports Freddie had brought back. Agreeably surprised by the thoroughness of the observation and the degree of detail with which they were recorded, he remarked, "Well done, Freddie. Your recommendations about replacing the banyans, who can charge what they will for their services as brokers of goods to unsuspecting foreigners, with knowledgeable Englishmen is certainly well founded. I hope you will help me in effecting the change."
Freddie, accustomed to holding his formidable brother-in-law in some degree of awe, flushed with pleasure, replying modestly. "That's very kind of you, sir, but even the veriest neophyte can see how these men are able to take advantage of those unfamiliar with the commodities so as to charge whatever price they wish and exact whatever-percent commission they desire."
Cassie, beaming proudly at her brother, disagreed. "That's as may be, Freddie, and I daresay that's a common enough topic in the coffee rooms all over India, but your suggestion of setting up an exchange where such abuses can be remedied shows an active intelligence that is lacking in so many people who merely listen to hearsay and add their own complaints to the general conversation but do not bestir themselves to discover a solution."
Unused to such praise in a family whose talents usually outshone his, Freddie was visibly flattered but disclaimed any credit in his most offhand manner. "Oh it was nothing, Cassie. Any gudgeon could see what needed to be done."
Cassie refused to be convinced. "You are far too modest, Freddie, truly. You must make a push to ensure that your recommendations are heard." Privately she was relieved to hear how well her twin had conducted himself. Cassie had always had faith that he had more bottom and sense than his peers. Even though his talents had failed to assert themselves during his school years, she had remained certain that given the proper opportunity, Freddie would prove himself brighter and more
"And," pursued Arabella, keeping a close eye on Ned as he leaned over to respond to Lady Jersey's latest sally, "IVe heard you have both become disgustingly plump in the pocket, veritable Golden Balls, if ballroom gossip is to be believed."
"Don't believe a word of it, Bella," admonished Freddie, trying desperately to pry himself loose from her clutches. "You know what the town tabbies are." He at last succeeded in pulling away from her to join his sister, whom he greeted with visible relief. "Cassie, at last! Will you grant a poor fellow, desperate for intelligent female companionship of any sort, even if it is his sister's, this dance?"
Cassie laughed. "Of course, Freddie, with all the pleasure in the world." The two strolled off, leaving Arabella and Horace to deal with each other as best they could.
It would have been a gross exaggeration to say that all of London was intrigued by the reappearance of the two travelers, but their return certainly formed the main topic of conversation the next day in several select drawing rooms. The floor of one of these in particular was littered with exotic trifles as Freddie distributed acquisitions from his travels to his nearest and dearest. "Freddie, how lovely! You are rigging me out in the latest fashion whether I will or no," exclaimed Cassie, surveying the effect of a cashmere shawl draped artistically over her shoulders while Frances slid numerous delicate gold bracelets onto her wrist. Theodore, totally entranced by a set of elephants and their mahouts beautifully carved in ivory, was arranging them on the floor before an interested audience. Nelson, Wellington, and Ethelred were divided in their opinions—Nelson wishing to bat the pieces around on the carpet, Wellington feeling it would be more amusing to chew them, while Ethelred, unready as usual, sat regarding them suspiciously with beady black eyes.
Lord Mainwaring was ensconced in a chair by the fire reviewing the reports Freddie had brought back. Agreeably surprised by the thoroughness of the observation and the degree of detail with which they were recorded, he remarked, "Well done, Freddie. Your recommendations about replacing the banyans, who can charge what they will for their services as brokers of goods to unsuspecting foreigners, with knowledgeable Englishmen is certainly well founded. I hope you will help me in effecting the change."
Freddie, accustomed to holding his formidable brother-in-law in some degree of awe, flushed with pleasure, replying modestly. "That's very kind of you, sir, but even the veriest neophyte can see how these men are able to take advantage of those unfamiliar with the commodities so as to charge whatever price they wish and exact whatever-percent commission they desire."
Cassie, beaming proudly at her brother, disagreed. "That's as may be, Freddie, and I daresay that's a common enough topic in the coffee rooms all over India, but your suggestion of setting up an exchange where such abuses can be remedied shows an active intelligence that is lacking in so many people who merely listen to hearsay and add their own complaints to the general conversation but do not bestir themselves to discover a solution."
Unused to such praise in a family whose talents usually outshone his, Freddie was visibly flattered but disclaimed any credit in his most offhand manner. "Oh it was nothing, Cassie. Any gudgeon could see what needed to be done."
Cassie refused to be convinced. "You are far too modest, Freddie, truly. You must make a push to ensure that your recommendations are heard." Privately she was relieved to hear how well her twin had conducted himself. Cassie had always had faith that he had more bottom and sense than his peers. Even though his talents had failed to assert themselves during his school years, she had remained certain that given the proper opportunity, Freddie would prove himself brighter and more
Similar Books
