Sally James

Read Online Sally James by Lord Fordingtons Offer - Free Book Online Page B

Book: Sally James by Lord Fordingtons Offer Read Free Book Online
Authors: Lord Fordingtons Offer
Ads: Link
was so willing! I could not have endured the life of a companion or governess!'
    Isabella shrugged. 'We are different, Fanny. Besides, you are all so kind to me I do not feel like a poor relation. I beg of you, if Sir Frederick comes here, do not favour him! It will make it more difficult for me to discourage him.'
    Lady Sharman refused to give Isabella such an assurance, saying that she might change her mind when she came to know Sir Frederick better, and she would not be responsible for allowing Isabella to throw away such an eligible opportunity.
    'For you must recognise, my dear, there are few enough of them! Although you are very pretty you are six and twenty, and have almost nothing, and besides, we entertain so little you meet few suitable men. There is always, I suppose, the possibility you might meet someone next year when Georgiana does the season, but that cannot be depended on and you will be a year older!'
    'It would only be men like Sir Frederick who would consider me,' Isabella said lightly, and added to herself that if her suspicions about Lord Fordington were correct Georgiana might be married before the next year in any event. She wondered whether it was the notion such a marriage would, as Lady Sharman had pointed out, ruin any chance she might have of meeting a possible husband while she accompanied Georgiana during her London season that caused her to be so melancholy, and had to remind herself somewhat firmly she had renounced all romantic notions long ago, did not anticipate ever falling in love and had little expectation of meeting a man who would offer for her and whom she could respect.
    * * * *
    On the following morning they set out for Priory Dene. William rode beside Isabella and chatted eagerly about the possibility of seeing some of Lord Fordington's land.
    'He had very advanced ideas on some of the new methods,' he told Isabella, 'and promised to show me what he intends doing now he is at home to take charge.'
    They were to collect Lydia and Diana, and Mark Westerson had also been invited. Priory Dene lay some miles nearer to Brighthelmstone, and their way was by the post road until a mile from the house when they had to follow a little-used lane that meandered southwards. They had almost reached this turning when a man driving a sporting-looking curricle towards them slowed down, scrutinised them eagerly and then hailed them. It was, to Isabella's dismay, Sir Frederick Hill.
    'Well met!' he exclaimed. 'I was driving to Woodings to visit you, Miss Isabella, Miss Georgiana. How disappointing it would have been if I had driven all that way only to discover your absences!'
    He was introduced to the Westersons and they stood around making forced conversation for a few minutes until Lydia, who was thinking only of how soon she would be in Ninian's company, mentioned they had better bid Sir Frederick farewell.
    'It would not do to be late the first time Lady Fordington has invited us to Priory Dene,' she added.
    'You go to Lord Fordington's house?' Sir Frederick asked quickly.
    'Merely to see the ruins of the old Priory,' Georgiana said with a mischievous glance at Isabella, who was not taking much part in the conversation.
    'I believe they are most interesting,' Sir Frederick observed. 'I have never seen them myself as I am not familiar with this part of the country, but I understand that they compare very favourably with some that are very well known.'
    'Yes, they do,' William said curtly. 'I'm afraid we must leave you, Sir Frederick, but your journey will not be entirely wasted as my parents are at home, and since my mother sees very few people she will welcome your visit.'
    'As I look forward to making her acquaintance, dear boy,' Sir Frederick replied smoothly. 'Yet I do not feel it right to impose on her while there is no one else apart from Sir Roderick there. I have a better plan. I had been intending to call upon Lady Fordington, an old acquaintance of mine, some day soon. I will come with

Similar Books

The Perfect Crime

Les Edgerton

Charmed Particles

Chrissy Kolaya

The Sun Also Rises

Ernest Hemingway

The Tsar's Doctor

Mary McGrigor

The Fields

Kevin Maher

Sad Love

Mj Fields

Cambridge Blue

Alison Bruce

Sentinel

Matthew Dunn