Read Online The Roguish Miss Penn by Emily Hendrickson - Free Book Online Page B

direction of the library, then Mrs. Cheney took Katherine’s arm and led her to the saloon.
    “My brother has taken himself off on a tour of the farms. There is always so much to be done, you know.”
    “He is well liked by the people on his land, I have heard. Not all landowners do as well by their people.”
    “There, I knew you were a woman of uncommon sense. Come, we shall have a coze by the window that looks out on the folly. It is my favorite view, for it constantly reminds me of what I have escaped.”
    “Escaped, my lady?” The odd choice of word startled Katherine into giving voice to her reaction.
    “Please call me Gisela, my dear. Although a good deal older than you, I long for a confidante and friend. Say you will do that for me?”
    Touched by the thread of sadness that had suddenly crept into Mrs. Cheney’s voice, Katherine immediately nodded. “Of course, Gisela.”
    “You may well wonder why I say escape, for it is a most peculiar word to choose. My husband, God rest his soul, became obsessed with those quaint ruins he found in Europe. I rarely saw him following our marriage. Reports by indifferent mail are less than pleasing to a wife. He would not take me along with him, for I lost our only child the very first trip and he never forgave me that. I ultimately came to bless those ruins, for they brought me peace. You see, there was something strangely wrong with his mind. I believe it fortunate we had no children, for the child might have inherited his aberration along with his wealth.”
    “Good heavens,” exclaimed Katherine in a soft, sympathetic voice. “I am sorry.”
    “I rarely speak of it, but I wanted you to understand why I happily remain here in the country. In London there are too many who recall and gossip.”
    Katherine thought of Mrs. Bonner but said nothing.
    “Tell me about your plans for your production of the play during the fair,” Mrs. Cheney said with a bright smile.
    An eruption in the hall brought their heads around. Through the open door Katherine could see her brother and Lord Ramsey in conversation as they entered the house together.
    “The separate copies are done and the play ready to cast,” Katherine replied while trying to keep her mind on the matter and not look at his lordship. “Most of the performers will be local. Theodore believes he might be able to obtain the talents of Miss O’Neill for the heroine. He plans to take a copy of the script to Norwich for her to read. I suspect the offer of ample money will have a greater result.”
    “What about costumes?” With great interest Gisela watched Katherine’s delicate rise of color as Philip entered the room.
    “Costumes,” echoed Teddy. “I just mentioned that to Lord Ramsey, and he said something about his attics.”
    “Famous,” Gisela declared, clapping her hands together with delight. “I gather this is one of those plays that occur in the obscure past?”
    “Naturally, for it has castles and specters, not to mention veils that sway most mysteriously.” Katherine chuckled at the grimace that crossed Lord Ramsey’s face.
    “Skulls and weird moans as well?” Gisela laughed up at her brother. “This promises to be spine-chilling indeed. We shall have to station several stalwart young men with a generous supply of vinaigrette for the vaporish.”
    “It has a sensible ending,” Katherine was prompted to say. “Have you read Mansfield Park by Miss Austen? It was released in May this year. I believe she pokes a bit of fun at these gothic novels in her book. I do the same in my play, for you must know they are so very silly. All these goosish damsels crying buckets of tears and jumping at the very least noise. Not to mention those fantastical castles with more weird things happening than one can credit.”
    “Oh, to be so sensible,” Gisela declared. “Let us hope there are sufficient people who want to be terrified.”
    “This is supposed to be a moneymaking venture, I trust,” Lord