Read Online Springtime Pleasures by Sandra Schwab - Free Book Online Page B

phaeton brought around to the front entrance,” Lady Isabella said with a small shudder. “He and George exchanged words; my father tried to intervene and told William not to be a bigger fool than his brother. And William said the earl couldn’t expect his eldest-born to behave in a cowardly fashion. ‘Just think of Nelson,’ he said.”
    The two girls exchanged glances.
    Lady Isabella’s face looked white and peakish, which made Charlie’s heart clench in sympathy. Maybe she should send for a bottle of Mr Brown’s Fantasticular Formula. According to rumour, the apothecary of Ardochlan had invented the formula especially for Miss Pinkerton. Some of the girls at St. Cuthbert’s even believed that many, many years ago Mr Brown had had a tendre for Miss Pinkerton and that his Fantasticular Formula was his token of affection for her. It was given to girls whom Miss Pinkerton deemed too thin or too pale, and within a month it usually worked its magic and let roses bloom on pale cheeks. And if anybody could do with some roses on her cheeks, it was poor Lady Isabella.
    Charlie raised her brows. “What has Nelson got to do with it? He steered ships, not horses.” Much to the delight of the St. Cuthbertians. Though eventually they had—en masse—decided that the study of navy lists provided much less entertainment than the re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar on the village pond. And in their version, Lord Nelson had won the battle and survived it!
    If possible, Lady Isabella’s face had turned even paler and more anxious. “I believe my brother referred to duty and honour and… such things.” Her lips trembled. “He told me to come with him and to bear witness as I so obviously d-doubted…” Her voice broke, and tears shimmered in her eyes.
    A wave of anger welled up in Charlie. No, she wouldn’t have liked Brother William had she ever met him. Once more, she reached out and covered Lady Isabella’s hand with hers. “Please, you needn’t go on with this. I can see how greatly it disturbs you to talk about these events. It was very wrong of me to ask you—”
    “Oh no!” Vehemently, the other girl shook her head and started to rummage in her reticule. “I have never… I feel that you … I… Drat, where did I put my handkerchief?” she burst out, then shot a sheepish glance at Charlie. “Oh, you must think me demented!”
    “Not at all,” Charlie quickly reassured her. She had meanwhile located her own handkerchief and offered it to Lady Isabella.
    “You are very kind,” the girl said, dabbing the corner of her eyes, and sniffed.
    Charlie eyed her critically. “You ought to give your nose a good blow. Miss Pinkerton always says that blowing your nose well and good gives your airways a nice airing and unblocks your brain. Apparently that is why gentlemen are so fond of snuff.”
    From the box seat came a wheezing noise, followed by an apologetic murmur.
    Lady Isabella seemed sceptical as to Miss Pinkerton’s remedies for unblocking noses and brains all at once, but finally gave it a try.
    “Very good,” Charlie praised her. “See if you don’t feel better in a trice. And you mustn’t go on with the story if you feel you can’t.”
    But the use of the handkerchief seemed to have restored Lady Isabella’s equanimity. “There isn’t much left to tell. As I said, William insisted on me accompanying him—despite George’s protests, I might add. It soon became clear that driving such a high phaeton was indeed a delicate business and that William wasn’t up to it. He handled the horses too roughly, too. It was a pretty pair of greys, but very highstrung, I believe.” She sighed. “Apparently we took a corner too fast and the whole carriage overbalanced. You must understand that I have no memory of the actual accident, which is a blessing, perhaps.” She lifted her shoulders as if she were suddenly cold. “Poor William died, whereas I remained alive. But the carriage landed on me,