Read Online The Aim of a Lady by Laura Matthews - Free Book Online
Authors: Laura Matthews
Tags: Regency Romance
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an imitation of George’s elegant manner.
“Perhaps later, Walter. I should prefer that you offer Lord Alma a game of billiards after a bit, and later you might like to ride his horse, Crusader. He allowed me to do so yesterday, but hesitantly, and he was quite right. I have never ridden a more powerful animal. I told him you would not be overconfident were you to try him.”
“You intrigue me,” Walter admitted as he sneezed. “I have never known you to have the least problem with a well-mannered horse.”
“Oh, Crusader is perfectly trained, and his speed is exhilarating. I am sure you would enjoy your ride.”
When Allison and Alma joined them, Walter obligingly suggested a game of billiards. Alma cast a questioning glance at Diana, who said, “Yes, you two go along. Allison and I have some things to discuss.”
After they had left the room Allison chuckled. “I found it disconcerting to stand the whole time we were talking. It’s a pity he cannot sit.”
“Yes, Mrs. Lewis feels it, too, but it will not be for so very long.”
“Do you think he will go to London when he is recovered?” Allison asked hopefully.
“Yes, he and George had been planning to go there after a short stay here and I have no doubt that he will leave the moment he can sit comfortably in a carriage for a few hours. You will probably see both him and George in London while you’re there. Now tell me how your plans progress."
While the young women discussed the only topic which engrossed Allison’s interest of late, the two men found their skills at billiards well-matched and enjoyed several games. They carried on a desultory conversation during which Walter decided that Lord Alma was not such a bad fellow after all, and Alma decided that Walter was better than the usual country gentleman. Alma could give Walter five years, and he was not intent on developing their acquaintance into a friendship, but the younger man proved a better companion than he had expected. It made Alma all the more puzzled that Walter was obviously in love with Miss Savile, but there was no accounting for taste.
When the men rejoined them Diana announced that she had ordered an alfresco luncheon in the gardens. Walter obligingly stood with Alma during this repast while Diana and Allison seated themselves on the old stone benches and continued their discussion. Alma was surprised to learn that Allison, too, tried her hand at archery.
“It is one of our country sports for women hereabouts,” Diana explained as they headed toward the archery range. “Walter, will you see that Rogue is locked up?”
Her suitor willingly attended to the small commission before joining the others. He and Diana formed a team against Allison and Alma, and since neither of the latter could compare with the former, they won handily. This did not seem to distress either of the losers; in fact Alma was encouraged by his progress.
Diana took Alma aside for a moment as the equipment was being returned to the shed and asked, “Will you mind if Walter rides Crusader? I have suggested it to him, and I am sure you need have no fear of the horse coming to any grief.”
“I bow to your judgment of his abilities, Miss Savile,” he replied politely. “Will you all be riding now?”
Her eyes laughed at the forlorn note in his voice but she assured him that she would stay with him if he so desired. “I had thought you might wish a break, though, for your face is beginning to look pinched again.”
He stiffened at this mention of his weakness and his stormy eyes glared at her as he replied, “I have not the slightest need for a rest, Miss Savile.”
“Then you will wish for me to stay with you while Allison and Walter ride,” she replied with mock disappointment.
“No, I will not. I am perfectly capable of entertaining myself for an hour.”
“Excellent,” she said cheerfully. “We shall have tea when we return.”
Alma watched irritably as the other three mounted and rode
“Perhaps later, Walter. I should prefer that you offer Lord Alma a game of billiards after a bit, and later you might like to ride his horse, Crusader. He allowed me to do so yesterday, but hesitantly, and he was quite right. I have never ridden a more powerful animal. I told him you would not be overconfident were you to try him.”
“You intrigue me,” Walter admitted as he sneezed. “I have never known you to have the least problem with a well-mannered horse.”
“Oh, Crusader is perfectly trained, and his speed is exhilarating. I am sure you would enjoy your ride.”
When Allison and Alma joined them, Walter obligingly suggested a game of billiards. Alma cast a questioning glance at Diana, who said, “Yes, you two go along. Allison and I have some things to discuss.”
After they had left the room Allison chuckled. “I found it disconcerting to stand the whole time we were talking. It’s a pity he cannot sit.”
“Yes, Mrs. Lewis feels it, too, but it will not be for so very long.”
“Do you think he will go to London when he is recovered?” Allison asked hopefully.
“Yes, he and George had been planning to go there after a short stay here and I have no doubt that he will leave the moment he can sit comfortably in a carriage for a few hours. You will probably see both him and George in London while you’re there. Now tell me how your plans progress."
While the young women discussed the only topic which engrossed Allison’s interest of late, the two men found their skills at billiards well-matched and enjoyed several games. They carried on a desultory conversation during which Walter decided that Lord Alma was not such a bad fellow after all, and Alma decided that Walter was better than the usual country gentleman. Alma could give Walter five years, and he was not intent on developing their acquaintance into a friendship, but the younger man proved a better companion than he had expected. It made Alma all the more puzzled that Walter was obviously in love with Miss Savile, but there was no accounting for taste.
When the men rejoined them Diana announced that she had ordered an alfresco luncheon in the gardens. Walter obligingly stood with Alma during this repast while Diana and Allison seated themselves on the old stone benches and continued their discussion. Alma was surprised to learn that Allison, too, tried her hand at archery.
“It is one of our country sports for women hereabouts,” Diana explained as they headed toward the archery range. “Walter, will you see that Rogue is locked up?”
Her suitor willingly attended to the small commission before joining the others. He and Diana formed a team against Allison and Alma, and since neither of the latter could compare with the former, they won handily. This did not seem to distress either of the losers; in fact Alma was encouraged by his progress.
Diana took Alma aside for a moment as the equipment was being returned to the shed and asked, “Will you mind if Walter rides Crusader? I have suggested it to him, and I am sure you need have no fear of the horse coming to any grief.”
“I bow to your judgment of his abilities, Miss Savile,” he replied politely. “Will you all be riding now?”
Her eyes laughed at the forlorn note in his voice but she assured him that she would stay with him if he so desired. “I had thought you might wish a break, though, for your face is beginning to look pinched again.”
He stiffened at this mention of his weakness and his stormy eyes glared at her as he replied, “I have not the slightest need for a rest, Miss Savile.”
“Then you will wish for me to stay with you while Allison and Walter ride,” she replied with mock disappointment.
“No, I will not. I am perfectly capable of entertaining myself for an hour.”
“Excellent,” she said cheerfully. “We shall have tea when we return.”
Alma watched irritably as the other three mounted and rode
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