Read Online The Miller's Dance by Winston Graham - Free Book Online
Authors: Winston Graham
Tags: Romance, Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, Sagas, Genre Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga
Ads: Link
with the makings of a gentl eman.') George said: ‘I trust you asked your aunt if I had a fearsome reputation with women.'
'No, I did not, and I don't suppose you have.'
'Perhaps you would prefer it if I were a notorious rake.'
'Having been married to one, perhaps not. Rather am I anxious to assure myself that once we are married you will not just write me down as an item in your ledger book.'
This was rather near home, and he was conscious that his face was showing annoyance. With an effort he wiped it off.
'No, Harriet, I truly love you, and ask you to marry me for that reason only. I never thought to remarry until I met you. Since then it has been my consuming wish. Even though you despise money-'
'Very, very, very far from it!'
'Even though you say you are not affected by the sort of affluence your husband can claim, if you suppose me to be a man much preoccupied by his financial affairs, then as a part of that supposition you must equally admit that I risked - and lost - a great fortune in order to have a better claim to your hand. You cannot have it both ways, Harriet!'
She smiled. 'You know women always want it both ways. But I take your meaning. And am suitably impressed. Did you say the first of May? What day of the week would that be?'
'I have no idea.'
'Could the engagement be kept secret for another month?' ‘I’ if you wish it. But...'
‘I do wish it. But if that is adhered to, then may I say, dear George, that all this is agreeable to me?'
They embraced again. And again the dog growled. George found the embra ce a far from unpleasant experi ence. She had a feminine-feeling body—more so than might have been supposed by her robust manner and neck-or-nothing attitude both on and off the hunting field. It pleased him. In little more than eight weeks he would have this woman sharing his bed, in a nightdress which would soon be taken off, and he would possess, with all the pent-up passion of his fifty-two years, the daughter and the sister of a duke. He was very glad that he had held his tongue this afternoon when tempted by her delicate jibes to reply in kind.
Careful and cautious to the extremest degree, as soon as he became engrossed with Lady Harriet, he had employed his friend and lackey, lawyer Hector Trembath, to make due inq uiries not merely into Lady Harriet's life but into the life of her antecedents. Trembath had exceeded his instructions by going far back into the history of the Dukes of Leeds, but he had come up with some very piquant items. For instance, that the family fortunes of the Osbornes had been founded by a poor apprentice, clothworker who had jumped off London Bridge into the Thames and saved his employer's daughter from drowning, subsequently marrying her and inheriting the clothworker's money. Or, for instance, that the first Duke of Leeds had been a highly dislikeable man, described as an inveterate liar, proud, ambitious, revengeful, false, prodigal, corrupt, and covetous to the highest degree, the most hated minister, some said, that had ever been about King Charles II.
When nettled by her little sarcastic darts he had been very tempted to mention some of this to her - pointing out that not all of her family for all their eminence were above the criticism that they cared for money and power. Now he was very glad he had held his tongue. It was not the spirit in which to enter into the marriage contract.
Besides, if the occasion arose, the information could be utilized at some later date.
II
On the same day, March 5, another marriage was being discussed.
Ross said gently: 'And yo u have just come to this conclu sion?'
'About two weeks ago, Papa. But I have been waiting for — for a favourable opportunity. You have been in Truro, and then to Tehidy, and...'
'Does your mother know?'
'Not for certain - I'm sure she suspects.'
'So you came to me first?'
‘I told Stephen I would.'
'Should he not be here? Surely it is his duty to ask for your hand.'
'Yes.
'No, I did not, and I don't suppose you have.'
'Perhaps you would prefer it if I were a notorious rake.'
'Having been married to one, perhaps not. Rather am I anxious to assure myself that once we are married you will not just write me down as an item in your ledger book.'
This was rather near home, and he was conscious that his face was showing annoyance. With an effort he wiped it off.
'No, Harriet, I truly love you, and ask you to marry me for that reason only. I never thought to remarry until I met you. Since then it has been my consuming wish. Even though you despise money-'
'Very, very, very far from it!'
'Even though you say you are not affected by the sort of affluence your husband can claim, if you suppose me to be a man much preoccupied by his financial affairs, then as a part of that supposition you must equally admit that I risked - and lost - a great fortune in order to have a better claim to your hand. You cannot have it both ways, Harriet!'
She smiled. 'You know women always want it both ways. But I take your meaning. And am suitably impressed. Did you say the first of May? What day of the week would that be?'
'I have no idea.'
'Could the engagement be kept secret for another month?' ‘I’ if you wish it. But...'
‘I do wish it. But if that is adhered to, then may I say, dear George, that all this is agreeable to me?'
They embraced again. And again the dog growled. George found the embra ce a far from unpleasant experi ence. She had a feminine-feeling body—more so than might have been supposed by her robust manner and neck-or-nothing attitude both on and off the hunting field. It pleased him. In little more than eight weeks he would have this woman sharing his bed, in a nightdress which would soon be taken off, and he would possess, with all the pent-up passion of his fifty-two years, the daughter and the sister of a duke. He was very glad that he had held his tongue this afternoon when tempted by her delicate jibes to reply in kind.
Careful and cautious to the extremest degree, as soon as he became engrossed with Lady Harriet, he had employed his friend and lackey, lawyer Hector Trembath, to make due inq uiries not merely into Lady Harriet's life but into the life of her antecedents. Trembath had exceeded his instructions by going far back into the history of the Dukes of Leeds, but he had come up with some very piquant items. For instance, that the family fortunes of the Osbornes had been founded by a poor apprentice, clothworker who had jumped off London Bridge into the Thames and saved his employer's daughter from drowning, subsequently marrying her and inheriting the clothworker's money. Or, for instance, that the first Duke of Leeds had been a highly dislikeable man, described as an inveterate liar, proud, ambitious, revengeful, false, prodigal, corrupt, and covetous to the highest degree, the most hated minister, some said, that had ever been about King Charles II.
When nettled by her little sarcastic darts he had been very tempted to mention some of this to her - pointing out that not all of her family for all their eminence were above the criticism that they cared for money and power. Now he was very glad he had held his tongue. It was not the spirit in which to enter into the marriage contract.
Besides, if the occasion arose, the information could be utilized at some later date.
II
On the same day, March 5, another marriage was being discussed.
Ross said gently: 'And yo u have just come to this conclu sion?'
'About two weeks ago, Papa. But I have been waiting for — for a favourable opportunity. You have been in Truro, and then to Tehidy, and...'
'Does your mother know?'
'Not for certain - I'm sure she suspects.'
'So you came to me first?'
‘I told Stephen I would.'
'Should he not be here? Surely it is his duty to ask for your hand.'
'Yes.
Similar Books
