Read Online Mr. Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Elizabeth Aston
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angry than sad, is that it? I shall just mention that to Alethea. Only there’s no persuading her to do what she does not want to, as you very well know. Not when it comes to music.”
At first, it seemed that all would go well. Letitia came down looking even more beautiful than usual, her eyes lustrous from all the tears, but without a trace of the puffiness or redness about her eyelids that might have been expected. She held herself straight with her head high; she was grave, but not sullen; she even smiled at a sally from Sir Sidney Leigh, who stood talking to her before dinner was served, and she went through the round of introductions with composure and ease.
Which allowed Camilla to relax and survey the assembled company. Her heart had lifted when Sir Sidney came in. He was just as good-looking as she had remembered, his excellent figure set off by the well-cut black coat he was wearing. He looked to be in a good mood, saying something to Fitzwilliam that made his host laugh and brought a smile and most flirtatious look from Fanny in response.
Well, so Fanny found Sir Sidney attractive; what was surprising about that? Or about Sir Sidney leaning down towards his hostess with an amused expression in his eyes and making what must be some outrageous remark, to judge by her sudden laughter?
Camilla’s slight feeling of chagrin vanished as Pagoda Portal surged into the room, his twinkling, amorous eyes resting with evident enthusiasm on Letty’s bosom and then fastening themselves with a connoisseur’s approval on the twins. Belle and Georgina sat beside one another on a small sofa, all smiles and inviting glances; even Mr. Fitzwilliam had a softened look on his rather stern countenance as his gaze fell on his young cousins on their sofa.
True to her word, Fanny had produced a hussar, one Captain Allington, a dashing officer with a proud moustachio, who smiled and nodded when anyone looked in his direction, and was otherwise apparently quite content to stand as though on duty, looking handsome.
“He is a dolt, of course,” Fanny whispered to Camilla. “Only so handsome, all the girls are in love with him. Do you think Letty demands sense in a man? Was—is, I mean—her Tom a man of sense?”
“That is a question indeed, ma’am, especially in the light of what we have learned about him today.”
“I do not mean her to fall in love with Captain Allington, precisely, that would never do, but he might serve to give her thoughts a new direction.”
Sir Sidney was deep in conversation with Letty, who looked almost cheerful. “I believe Sir Sidney is doing his best as far as that is concerned,” Camilla said. “Has he never married?”
Fanny frowned. “No, although there was an attachment, an engagement, in fact, only the lady in question broke it off, a little before her wedding day. The day before, in fact. She was a Miss Harper, I believe. I do not know why she thought they would not suit. An excellent catch, I assure you, and with such an air, so very much a man of fashion. He is the very best of company; all the hostesses compete for his presence. I was delighted he accepted for this evening.”
Lord and Lady Warren had been announced hard on Allington’s heels. Camilla took an instant dislike to Lord Warren, a burly, heavy-browed man with grizzled hair, who merely touched her fingertips when he was introduced to her and then sauntered away to get a better look at the twins. Lady Warren was a thin, stylishly dressed woman, and she gave the twins a shrewish look before turning a sharp eye on Letitia and running her eyes over her face, figure and gown. Lady Warren was, Camilla knew, a connection through marriage on her mother’s side, although neither she nor her sisters had previously met her.
“A distant connection,” her ladyship said in condescending tones when Letitia mentioned it, although it was not so very distant, Camilla thought to herself: Lady Warren’s brother, Mr. Bingley, was
At first, it seemed that all would go well. Letitia came down looking even more beautiful than usual, her eyes lustrous from all the tears, but without a trace of the puffiness or redness about her eyelids that might have been expected. She held herself straight with her head high; she was grave, but not sullen; she even smiled at a sally from Sir Sidney Leigh, who stood talking to her before dinner was served, and she went through the round of introductions with composure and ease.
Which allowed Camilla to relax and survey the assembled company. Her heart had lifted when Sir Sidney came in. He was just as good-looking as she had remembered, his excellent figure set off by the well-cut black coat he was wearing. He looked to be in a good mood, saying something to Fitzwilliam that made his host laugh and brought a smile and most flirtatious look from Fanny in response.
Well, so Fanny found Sir Sidney attractive; what was surprising about that? Or about Sir Sidney leaning down towards his hostess with an amused expression in his eyes and making what must be some outrageous remark, to judge by her sudden laughter?
Camilla’s slight feeling of chagrin vanished as Pagoda Portal surged into the room, his twinkling, amorous eyes resting with evident enthusiasm on Letty’s bosom and then fastening themselves with a connoisseur’s approval on the twins. Belle and Georgina sat beside one another on a small sofa, all smiles and inviting glances; even Mr. Fitzwilliam had a softened look on his rather stern countenance as his gaze fell on his young cousins on their sofa.
True to her word, Fanny had produced a hussar, one Captain Allington, a dashing officer with a proud moustachio, who smiled and nodded when anyone looked in his direction, and was otherwise apparently quite content to stand as though on duty, looking handsome.
“He is a dolt, of course,” Fanny whispered to Camilla. “Only so handsome, all the girls are in love with him. Do you think Letty demands sense in a man? Was—is, I mean—her Tom a man of sense?”
“That is a question indeed, ma’am, especially in the light of what we have learned about him today.”
“I do not mean her to fall in love with Captain Allington, precisely, that would never do, but he might serve to give her thoughts a new direction.”
Sir Sidney was deep in conversation with Letty, who looked almost cheerful. “I believe Sir Sidney is doing his best as far as that is concerned,” Camilla said. “Has he never married?”
Fanny frowned. “No, although there was an attachment, an engagement, in fact, only the lady in question broke it off, a little before her wedding day. The day before, in fact. She was a Miss Harper, I believe. I do not know why she thought they would not suit. An excellent catch, I assure you, and with such an air, so very much a man of fashion. He is the very best of company; all the hostesses compete for his presence. I was delighted he accepted for this evening.”
Lord and Lady Warren had been announced hard on Allington’s heels. Camilla took an instant dislike to Lord Warren, a burly, heavy-browed man with grizzled hair, who merely touched her fingertips when he was introduced to her and then sauntered away to get a better look at the twins. Lady Warren was a thin, stylishly dressed woman, and she gave the twins a shrewish look before turning a sharp eye on Letitia and running her eyes over her face, figure and gown. Lady Warren was, Camilla knew, a connection through marriage on her mother’s side, although neither she nor her sisters had previously met her.
“A distant connection,” her ladyship said in condescending tones when Letitia mentioned it, although it was not so very distant, Camilla thought to herself: Lady Warren’s brother, Mr. Bingley, was
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