A Bride for Christmas Regency Novella

8/14/2019 A Bride for Christmas Regency Novella

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A BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS

Aileen Fish


2/46

A BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS

Copyright 2013 Aileen Fish

All rights resere!"

#$%lishe! &t S'&sh(or!s %y Aileen Fish

This e%oo) is li*ense! +or yo$r person&l en,oy'ent only" This e%oo) '&y not %e re-sol! or gien

&(&y to other people" I+ yo$ (o$l! li)e to sh&re this %oo) (ith &nother person. ple&se p$r*h&se &n

&!!ition&l *opy +or e&*h re*ipient" I+ yo$/re re&!ing this %oo) &n! !i! not p$r*h&se it. or it (&s not

p$r*h&se! +or yo$r $se only. then ple&se go to http&ileen+ish"*o'&n! p$r*h&se yo$r o(n *opy"

Th&n) yo$ +or respe*ting the (or) o+ this &$thor"

This %oo) is & (or) o+ +i*tion" ith the e*eption o+ histori*&l +ig$res. &ny rese'%l&n*e it %e&rs

to re&lity is entirely *oin*i!ent&l"
http://aileenfish.com/http://aileenfish.com/


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Table of Contents

Title #&ge

Copyright

Ch&pter One

Ch&pter T(o

Ch&pter Three

Ch&pter Fo$r

Ch&pter Fie

Ch&pter Si

Ch&pter Seen

Ch&pter Eight

E*erpt

Other Boo)s %y Aileen Fish

A%o$t the A$thor


4/46

Chapter One

December 23, 1814

4&sh Sin*l&ir stoo! ne&r the +ire in the !r&(ing roo' &t Ren+or! A%%ey. the +&'ily se&t.

(on!ering i+ his si%lings pl&nne! to *oloni5e & ne( *o$ntry (ith their n$'ero$s o++spring"

4&sh/s p&rents. the E&rl o+ Ren+or! &n! his *o$ntess. *o$l!n/t %e h&ppier (ith their proli+i*%roo!" His +&ther s&t in & '&nner ery $n%e*o'ing & '&n o+ his st&n!ing. his legs *rosse!

t&ilor-style (hile he %o$n*e! his se*on!-yo$ngest gr&n!son in ti'e (ith the n$rsery rhy'e

he s&ng" 6ittle illi&' giggle! e&*h ti'e he so&re! &%oe the *&rpet" ill/s ol!er %rother

pr&n*e! in pl&*e %egging his t$rn net"

His %rother/s oi*e !re( 4&sh +ro' his tho$ghts" 7I+ yo$ st&n! '$*h *loser to the +l&'es.

yo$r tro$sers (ill *&t*h +ire"7

4&sh re&li5e! his right leg (&s (&r' eno$gh to *oo) &n egg" He s'ile! &n! 'oe! &(&y

+ro' the he&rth" 7Hello. 8eo++" So'e !&ys I !on/t thin) I/ll eer *h&se &(&y the *hill"7

8eo++ snorte!" 7I+ yo$/! t&)en 'y o++er o+ the *&rri&ge inste&! o+ insisting on ri!ing th&t

%&ttle-s*&rre! n&g o+ yo$rs. yo$ (o$l! h&e %een plenty (&r'"7

His %rother (&s right. o+ *o$rse. %$t then he $s$&lly (&s" 7C&es&r (o$l! pine &(&y &n!re+$se to e&t i+ I le+t hi' %ehin! +or the entire 'onth I/ll %e here"7 The ol! n&g. &s his %rother

*&lle! hi'. h&! s$rie! '&ny %&ttles %ene&th 4&sh. &n! (&sn/t re&!y to %e p$t to p&st$re

&ny ti'e soon" He !i!n/t (&nt to !is*$ss it" 7Cle'entin& loo)s (ell" Sho$l! she %e tr&eling

so soon &+ter pro!$*ing yo$r heir97

7She re+$se! to re'&in &t ho'e +or the holi!&y &n! igste&! ,$st isn/t %ig eno$gh to host

the entire +&'ily" The *hil!ren (ere so e&ger to see F&ther &n! Mother"7

Fe( ho'es (ere l&rge eno$gh +or this %roo!" 4&sh *h$*)le!" 7:o$ lot *o$l! t&)e & ye&r

or three o++ +ro' +illing yo$r n$rseries &n! th&t 'ight help &llei&te the pro%le'"7

7E&sily spo)en +or & '&n (ho h&s yet to *hoose & %ri!e" :o$/e sol! yo$r *o''ission"

h&t/s stopping yo$ +ro' '&rrying97

There (&s &n e*ellent ;$estion" He/! &tten!e! & +e( &sse'%lies &t the en! o+ the Se&son

%e+ore retiring to his to(nho$se to rest +or the s$''er" He/! no eye +or the yo$ng l&!ies. no

'&tter ho( pretty or ho( (ell !o(ere!" Both his yo$nger %rothers (ere '&rrie!. &n! one o+

his t(o yo$nger sisters" Eie. his only $n'&rrie! sister. neer set !o(n & %oo) long eno$gh

to spe&) 'ore th&n three (or!s to &nyone. rel&te! or not. so there (&s little *h&n*e o+ so'e

'&n noti*ing her" 4&sh no longer h&! the e*$se o+ the *&&lry to )eep oer%e&ring '&'&s


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7Boys.7 8eo++ interr$pte!" 7:o$r $n*le (o$l! r&ther +orget &%o$t the (&r th&n retell it

eery ti'e he sees yo$" :o$/re too yo$ng to he&r s$*h t&les. %esi!es" 8o pl&y (ith yo$r

*o$sins"7

7All right. =n*le 8eo++" B$t. =n*le 4&sh" e/ll %e ten in M&r*h" ill yo$ tell $s then97

6&$ghing &t their e&rnest epressions. 4&sh replie!. 7e/ll see" I thin) Ti''y &n! 8r&y

&re pl&ying (&r" hy !on/t yo$ ,oin the'. %e+ore yo$r gr&n!p&p& !e*i!es it/s ti'e to ret$rnyo$ to the n$rsery97

8eo++ 'oe! &(&y (ith the %oys. &n! 4&sh too) & t$rn &%o$t the roo' %e+ore gr&it&ting

*loser to his ne(est nephe(. 8eo++/s son" Cle'entin&/s sister >$li&nn& s&t ne&r the +ire (ith

the s(&!!le! %&%e in her &r's. &n! the %oy/s 'other *lose %y" The +&int sh&!o(s %ene&th

Cle'entin&/s eyes (ere the only sign she 'ight %e 'ore tire! th&n nor'&l &+ter the re*ent

%irth o+ yet &nother *hil!" Te&ring her g&5e &(&y +ro' her son. she s'ile! $p &t 4&sh"

He !ippe! his he&! in greeting" 7It/s goo! to see yo$ loo)ing so (ell. sister"7

7I *o$l! s&y the s&'e to yo$. 4&sh" el*o'e ho'e"7

7Th&n) yo$"7 He let his g&5e s(eep the roo'" 7Eery ti'e I ret$rn. there see's to %e

&nother h&n!+$l o+ rel&tions &!!e! to o$r +&'ily"7

Cle'entin& s'ile! )no(ingly" 7Those (o$l! %e the h$s%&n!s &n! (ies yo$r %rothers&n! *o$sins h&e *hosen" 4ot eeryone is &s slo( to +in! loe &s yo$ &ppe&r to %e"7

4&sh gri'&*e!" 7Di! 8eo++ p$t yo$ $p to this9 Or is this &ll 'y 'other/s !oing9 She h&s

yet to %ring $p the s$%,e*t. &t le&st on this isit. %$t eeryone else h&s t&)en her p&rt"7

His sister-in-l&( l&$ghe!" 7Is it so s$rprising th&t those o+ $s (ho &re en,oying o$r

'&rrie! st&te sho$l! (ish yo$ the s&'e h&ppiness97

He %o(e! his he&! slightly" 7I !o$%t I *o$l! eer %e &s h&ppy &s yo$ h&e '&!e 'y

%rother"7

&s th&t & %l$sh s(eeping &*ross her *hee)s9 She gl&n*e! 8eo++/s (&y. then %&*) &t her

sister (ho still *ooe! &t the %&%e in her &r's" Cle'entin& 'otione! to(&r!s the p&ir" 7:o$

re'e'%er 'y sister. 6&!y >$li&nn&9 She/s %een *&ring +or o$r 'other/s &$nt these p&st t(o

ye&rs. %$t I pers$&!e! her to ,oin $s +or Christ'&s"7

At the 'ention o+ her n&'e. >$li&nn& li+te! her eyes only %rie+ly +ro' the %&%y" Her

gol!en h&ir (&s (&r'e! een 'ore %y the +irelight" 7Ho( &re yo$. Mr" Sin*l&ir97

7I/' (ell. th&n) yo$" An! is yo$r &$nt re*oere! eno$gh +or yo$ to ret$rn to 6on!on in

the spring (ith yo$r 'other &n! yo$nger sister97

She p$rse! her lips" 7My &$nt is ;$ite (ell. th&n) yo$. %$t she en,oys 'y *o'p&ny" I

sh&ll %e ret$rning to her *ott&ge &+ter T(el+th 4ight"7

He re*&lle! his sisters !is*$ssing 6&!y >$li&nn& the l&st ti'e he (&s ho'e" She '$st %e

+o$r-&n!-t(enty no(" In so'e *ir*les. she/! %e *onsi!ere! on the shel+" An! yet she pre+erre!

to st&y (ith her &$nt th&n &tten! %&lls &n! %re&)+&sts. &s one her &ge (&s epe*te! to !o" &s

she (&iting +or & p&rti*$l&r yo$ng s(&in to *onsent to the p&rson/s noose. or perh&ps piningoer & '&n (ho h&! to '&rry else(here !$e to o%lig&tions9

B$t she (&s the !&$ghter o+ &n e&rl. &n! li)ely to h&e & h&n!so'e eno$gh !o(ry to

te'pt 'ost 'en (ho '$st thin) &%o$t those *on*erns (hen '&rrying" 4&sh st$!ie! her

pro+ile. so li)e th&t o+ Cle'entin&" Her nose (&s slightly $pt$rne!. her *hin strong (itho$t

protr$!ing" He re'e'%ere! her eyes &s &l(&ys +$ll o+ l&$ghter" hile perh&ps not ;$ite &

Di&'on! o+ the +irst (&ter !$ring her !e%$t Se&son. she *o$l! h&e e&sily %een *onsi!ere! &n

In*o'p&r&%le"

The 'ore he tho$ght on it. the 'ore perplee! he %e*&'e" hy h&! 6&!y >$li&nn& not

'&rrie!9 7C&n/t yo$r &$nt %e *onin*e! to isit 6on!on (ith yo$ +or een & short ti'e9 My

'other loo)s +or(&r! to it eery ye&r" I %eliee she hopes to &rr&nge '&t*hes +or 'y

yo$ngest sister net Se&son"7


6/46

Th&t !re( 6&!y >$li&nn&/s interest" 7B$t Eie is 'erely eighteen" S$rely yo$r 'other

!oesn/t epe*t her to '&rry so soon"7

He shr$gge!" 7I+ not '&rry. &t le&st settle on & propos&l" h&t re&son is there +or & yo$ng

l&!y to (&it to '&rry97

7hy. she h&r!ly )no(s hersel+ %y th&t &ge" She h&sn/t eperien*e! &ny +lirt&tions. or h&!

to s&l&ge her rep$t&tion +ro' &n intrig$e" She )no(s nothing o+ li+e &t s$*h & yo$ng &ge"74&sh peere! &t Cle'entin& +or & re&*tion. %$t the el!er sister )ept her ethere&l '&tern&l

glo(. le&!ing hi' to (on!er i+ she h&! in!$lge! in &ny intrig$es %e+ore &**epting his

%rother/s troth" The 'ore he tho$ght &%o$t the %&lls he/! &tten!e! oer the ye&rs. he (&s

*ert&in he/! neer noti*e! eligi%le yo$ng l&!ies slipping &(&y +or &ssign&tions or (h&teer

else *onstit$te! &n intrig$e to & l&!y o+ +o$r-&n!-t(enty ye&rs" A +e( !esper&te 'isses.

perh&ps. &n! 'ore th&n one (ho hope! to tr&p & title! h$s%&n!. %$t not those s$*h &s his

sisters"

O+ *o$rse. he/! spent 'ost o+ his ti'e in the *&r! roo' or !&n*ing (ith & (i!o( or t(o.

to &oi! !r&(ing the &ttention o+ &ny '&rri&ge-'in!e! '&'&s" A se*on! son o+ &n e&rl.

(itho$t & title o+ his o(n. (&s still &n eligi%le '&t*h to '&ny +&'ilies" His str&tegy. &long

(ith %eing &(&y on the %&ttle+iel! 'ost o+ the ti'e. h&! (or)e!" The i!e& his Eie 'ight %e*onte'pl&ting een & hint o+ s*&n!&l &(&)ene! &n $gly %e&st insi!e hi'" 7My sisters !o not

nee! +riolo$s +lirt&tions to )no( (h&t to loo) +or in & h$s%&n!" They h&e their +&ther &n!

%rothers &s e*ellent e&'ples o+ 'en (ho &re h&ppily '&rrie!" Do yo$ thin) yo$r sister

'&rrie! too yo$ng9 She (&s ,$st t(enty"7

6&!y >$li&nn& s&t $p str&ighter. giing 4&sh her +$ll &ttention" 7Cle''ie isn/t li)e 'ost

yo$ng l&!ies" She/s &l(&ys )no(n (h&t she (&nte!"7 She t$rne! her &ttention to the tiny

%$n!le in her &r's. %$t 4&sh *o$l!n/t !eter'ine her tho$ghts"

7For 'y %rother/s s&)e. I &' gl&! she !i!" I *&n/t %eliee he *o$l! h&e +o$n! & %etter

(i+e"7

Cle'entin& s'ile!. then spo)e in her pr&*ti*e!. eleg&nt oi*e" 74or I. & %etter h$s%&n!.

h&! I (&ite! &nother ten ye&rs to '&)e 'y *hoi*e" B$t >$li&nn& h&s & strong 'in!" She h&s

neer sh&re! the !re&'s yo$ i'&gine 'ost yo$ng l&!ies !o"7

Intrig$ing" =sing their *o''on rel&tions to i'ply & *lose leel o+ &*;$&int&n*e. he &s)e!.

7h&t !re&'s +ill yo$r tho$ghts. 6&!y >$li&nn&97

She (rin)le! her nose &t her sister. then *lose! her eyes &n! too) & %re&th" 6ittle E!(&r!

too) th&t 'o'ent to s;$ir' &n! (hi'per. &n! his &$nt ;$i*)ly h&n!e! hi' to his 'other"

Cle'entin& *$!!le! hi' *lose &s she rose" 7I+ yo$/ll e*$se 'e. I %eliee 'y son h&s h&!

eno$gh o+ the reelry"7

4&sh %o(e!. &n! (hen he s&( his %rother *o'ing to Cle'entin&/s si!e. he !e*i!e! to sit

inste&! o+ seeing her to the !oor" A+r&i! he 'ight lose the *&l' *o'p&ny o+ 6&!y >$li&nn&. he

repe&te! his ;$estion" 7I &' tr$ly *$rio$s to )no( (h&t yo$ !re&' o+. i+ not '&rri&ge" Mysisters. e*ept +or Eie. *&n t&l) o+ nothing %$t %e&$s &n! prospe*ts" :et yo$ !o not see' the

%l$esto*)ing type"7

She r&ise! &n eye%ro(" 7An! (h&t type is th&t9 #l&in9 Intelligent9 D$ll97

He %it his tong$e. (ishing he/! *hosen & !i++erent (or!" 7I 'isspo)e" :o$ )no( yo$ &re

none o+ those things" I (on/t try &n! ins$lt yo$ (ith +l$''ery"7

The s*&r on his te'ple thro%%e! &n! he r$%%e! it %rie+ly" He le&ne! %&*) into the *h&ir.

s$!!enly +eeling t(i*e his ye&rs" He st&re! into the %right or&nge glo( o+ the +ire" 7I/e %een

too long ri!ing (ith 'y regi'ent &n! h&e +orgotten ho( to +l&tter & +&ir '&i!en"7

6&!y >$li&nn& snorte! in & 'ost $n'&i!enly +&shion" 7I tho$ght yo$ (ere not going to

ins$lt 'e. Mr" Sin*l&ir" There is no nee! to *ontin$e o$r *oners&tion no( th&t Cle''ie is

gone" She (ill in+or' yo$r %rother yo$ !i! the pretty &n! '&!e 'e +eel (el*o'e" B$t yo$!on/t nee! to preten! to %e intereste! in 'y tho$ghts"7


7/46

7I (&s ;$ite e&rnest in &s)ing" I h&e spo)en o+ nothing %$t the (e&ther &n! the (&r +or

longer th&n I *&re to thin)" #le&se h$'or 'e (ith yo$r tho$ghts" I pro'ise I (on/t %elittle

the'. nor sh&re the' %eyon! these (&lls"7

She st$!ie! hi' &s i+ she *o$l! )no( the tr$e *ontents o+ his he&rt %y re&!ing his +&*e"

Her g&5e lingere! on his s*&r &n! he +o$ght the $rge to t$rn his he&!" At l&st. she g&e & s'&ll

s'ile" 7I (ish to tr&el &n! (rite %oo)s &%o$t the pl&*es I see"7He (&ite!. %$t she !i!n/t &ppe&r in*line! to el&%or&te" 7I *&n see (here yo$r p&rents

'ight not thin) th&t & s$it&%le li+e +or their !&$ghter"7

7ere I & son I/! still %e epe*te! to '&rry &+ter & ye&r or t(o &%ro&!"7

7Does yo$r &$nt en,oy tr&el9 #erh&ps she (o$l! &**o'p&ny yo$" ho )no(s. one 'ight

+&ll in loe on s$*h & ,o$rney"7

She snorte! &g&in in l&$ghter. &n! he (&s %e*o'ing ;$ite +on! o+ the so$n!" 4o

pretentio$s little t(itter +or her" 7I !on/t %eliee I/' li)ely to +&ll in loe &ny(here"7


8/46

Chapter Two

In the thin light o+ Christ'&s Ee 'orning. 6&!y >$li&nn& h$!!le! on & pile o+ ro*)s &t

the e!ge o+ the pon! &t Ren+or!" The &ir (&s %ris). the ro*) een *ol!er %ene&th her. %$t the

silen*e (&s (h&t she so$ght" In the n$rsery o+ the '&nor ho$se. her sister/s nie*es &n!

nephe(s (ere li)ely stirring. (ith the ol!er *hil!ren &lre&!y plotting the !&y/s 'is*hie+" She/!&oi!e! the 'orning roo' in *&se 6&!y Ren+or! (&s there (ith her lists" 78&ther greens"

De*or&te the !r&(ing roo'" T&)e %&s)ets to the i*&r"7

The other yo$ng l&!ies *o$l! e&sily !ispense (ith the lists" F&ther h&! 'entione!

shooting &s the 'en/s entert&in'ent +or the !&y" She/! *onsi!ere! slipping into the li%r&ry &n!

re&!ing the ne(sp&per. een i+ it (&s !&ys ol!" B$t either M&'& or 6&!y Ren+or! 'ight

!is*oer her there"

She si'ply (&s not o+ & 'in! to %e +estie this ye&r"

She s&t on the l&rgest ro*). her %&*) to the tr&il. &n! s(irle! & long. thin sti*) in the (&ter

%elo( her +eet" Her h&ir +ell in loose (&es !o(n her %&*). &n! her pelisse (&s $n%$ttone! in

spite o+ the *hilly %ree5e" She nee!e! the $nrestri*te! &ir &%o$t her this 'orning" In +&*t. she

h&! the 'ost $n!igni+ie! $rge to r$n s*re&'ing !o(n & hillsi!e &n! roll in the long gr&ss. i+&ny re'&ine! &+ter the sno(+&ll seer&l (ee)s &go"

The 'el&n*holy th&t h&! &(&)ene! in her &t the %irth o+ her nephe( E!(&r! h&!

(orsene! l&st night. th&n)s to Mr" Sin*l&ir" His ;$estions (ere no !i++erent +ro' those &s)e!

%y her 'other &n! '&ny o+ her +rien!s" B$t *o'ing +ro' hi'. the ;$eries '&!e her !re&'s

see' so +riolo$s" An! she !i!n/t (&nt &nyone to see her th&t (&y"

hile the s*&r on his +&*e h&! +&!e! to & p&le pin) stripe th&t !is&ppe&re! into his thi*)

%l&*) h&ir. it sho$te! &t her li)e & he&!line" SelflessWarrior" The '&n h&! !one so'ething

*o'pletely $nsel+ish (ith his li+e %y ,oining the *&&lry &n! !e+en!ing his *o$ntry" 4o( th&t

he/! *o'e ho'e. he (&sn/t $sing his $ni+or' &n! %&ttle stories to !r&( &ttention &t

&sse'%lies" Fro' (h&t Cle''ie tol! her. he &oi!e! the l&rge g&therings &l'ost &s '$*h &s

>$li&nn& !i!"

T(o ye&rs &go (hen A$nt #hillips h&! &s)e! >$li&nn& to %e*o'e her *o'p&nion. she

pro'ise! to le&e her 'oney &n! ho'e to >$li&nn& on her !e&th" A$nt #hillips no longer

en,oye! tr&el %eyon! her &nn$&l trip to Brighton. %$t she h&! tr&ele! ;$ite etensiely &s &

yo$ng l&!y" She en*o$r&ge! >$li&nn&/s !esire to isit ne( pl&*es &n! (rite &%o$t the'" A

spinster hersel+. the ol!er (o'&n !i! nothing to !iss$&!e her nie*e/s pre+eren*e to re'&in

$n'&rrie!"

Moing in (ith A$nt #hillips h&! see'e! the i!e&l sit$&tion +or >$li&nn&. reg&r!less o+

the possi%ility th&t her &$nt (&s li)ely to lie '&ny 'ore ye&rs" It (&s i!e&l. th&t is. $ntil the

Honor&%le E!(&r! Milton Do(sett Sin*l&ir (&s %orn" >$li&nn& &n! her 'other h&! %een in

&tten!&n*e. o+ *o$rse. &s they h&! +or the %irths o+ Cle''ie/s !&$ghters" B$t (hen >$li&nn&hel! the yo$ng heir +or the +irst ti'e. & h&''er &n! *hisel str$*) the (&ll &ro$n! her he&rt

&n! it sh&ttere!"

There in her &r's (&s (hy people +ell in loe" hy people '&rrie!" Th&t tiny li+e. still

re! &n! s;$inting in the *&n!lelight. (&s the re&son &ll %&ttles (ere +o$ght &n! )ing!o's

oerthro(n"

In the si (ee)s sin*e his %irth. >$li&nn& (&s $n&%le to ri! hersel+ o+ & niggling notion she

sho$l! %e !oing her p&rt in the *ontin$&tion o+ the +&'ily. o+ so*iety" Tho$gh she *o$l!n/t

+ight %&ttles nor p&ss &long & title or & +&'ily n&'e. %y '&rrying she *o$l! en&%le & '&n to !o

so" Ho( sel+ish (&s she to thin) only o+ hersel+9

>$li&nn& !re( in & !eep %re&th" She '$st still %e tire! +ro' the long *&rri&ge ri!e +ro'

6y'inster. or perh&ps she (&s %e*o'ing ill" Spells o+ 'el&n*holi& (ere not her '&nner" Sheneer h&! & nee! +or the'. her li+e %eing ri*her th&n she *o$l! &s) +or. een i+ the ple&s$res


9/46

(ere &s si'ple &s (&l)s to the len!ing li%r&ry &n! pl&ying *&r!s (ith her &$nt/s *ir*le o+

+rien!s"

78oo! 'orning. 'y l&!y"7

The oi*e +ro' %ehin! '&!e her ,$'p. her &r's +l&ying &s she (&ere! on the ro*)" She

t(iste! to see (ho &ppro&*he!" 7Oh. Mr" Sin*l&ir" I !i!n/t he&r yo$ *o'ing $p the p&th"7

Motioning (ith the reins o+ the horse he stoo! %esi!e. he l&$ghe!" 7:o$ '$st h&e %een!eep in tho$ght to not he&r C&es&r/s hooes"7

7I s$ppose I (&s" It/s so pe&*e+$l o$t here" It/s e&sy to let one/s tho$ghts (&n!er"7

7Th&t is e&*tly (hy I *&'e" To es*&pe the noise o+ the ho$sehol!"7 Mr" Sin*l&ir stoo!

ne&r the ro*) pile &n! his horse ni%%le! the gr&ss &t their +eet"

7:o$ !o h&eso'&ny %rothers &n! sisters"7

7An! eery one o+ their *hil!ren is %oistero$s &n! lo$!. n/est *e p&s97

She h&! to &gree" There (ere no si*)ly or 'o$sy 'e'%ers o+ the Ren+or! *l&n. e*epting

the yo$ngest sister" 7Ho( !oes Eie '&n&ge to re&! &'ong the'97

7I so'eti'es (on!er i+ the %oo) is ,$st & prop to &oi! ,oining & *&r! g&'e or other

p$rs$it" 4o one )no(s ho( '&ny p&ges she &*t$&lly re&!s"7

>$li&nn& l&$ghe! &n! t$rne! %&*) to the pon!. !r&(ing her sti*) thro$gh the (&ter"I''e!i&tely her tho$ghts ret$rne! to her !ile''&" #erh&ps she !i!n/t h&e the &ttri%$tes

ne*ess&ry to %e & goo! 'other li)e Cle''ie" Co$l! it %e her !re&'s o+ spinsterhoo! h&!

goo! *&$se9

7A' I !ist$r%ing yo$r solit$!e97

She gl&n*e! &t hi'" He &ppe&re! to &(&it instr$*tion. &n! yet it (&s his +&'ily/s pon!. not

hers" 7I/' the isitor here" :o$ '$stn/t +eel p$t o$t" I/ll go %&*) to the ho$se &n! le&e yo$ to

yo$r pri&*y"7

As she 'oe! to step !o(n +ro' the ro*)s. he %lo*)e! her p&th" 74o. !on/t go" At le&st.

not on 'y &**o$nt" I (o$l! en,oy so'e ;$iet *o'p&ny"7

S'iling. she too) & 'o'ent to st$!y his +e&t$res" His *hestn$t h&ir +ell in long (&es

oer his *oll&r" He (&s 'ore h&n!so'e th&n his %rother. %$t he s'ile! less. (hi*h g&e

8eo++ the &!&nt&ge" Mr" Sin*l&ir h&! the !&r) h&5el eyes his +&'ily (&s )no(n +or. &n! the

strong ,&(" The lines on his +&*e '&!e hi' &ppe&r ol!er th&n +o$r-&n!-thirty ye&rs" Ho(

'&ny o+ those ye&rs (ere spent in %&ttle9 The etre'es o+ (e&ther &lone (o$l! &ge & '&n

too soon" She sh$!!ere! to thin) o+ &ll he/! seen"

Re&li5ing she h&! st&re! &t hi' +or +&r too long (itho$t respon!ing. she s&i!. 7Sh&ll (e

(&l). then97

He 'otione! to the p&th &ro$n! the pon! &n! +ell in %esi!e her. (ith his horse +ollo(ing"

7In the spring &n! s$''er yo$ (ill +in! &ll sorts o+ &ni'&ls *o'ing to the pon! to !rin)" The

(oo!s &re +$ll o+ !eer. &n! I/' s$re F&ther h&sn/t h$nte! his l&st +o on the gro$n!s"7

7:o$r *hil!hoo! '$st h&e %een ;$ite ri*h. gro(ing $p in & pl&*e li)e this" So '&ny (il!&ni'&ls &n! interesting pl&*es to eplore"7

7:o$r +&ther/s est&te isn/t the s&'e97 he &s)e!"

7The ho$se is ;$ite gr&n!. %$t the gro$n!s &re not &s etensie" There &re no (oo!s. &n!

the only (&ter is on the other si!e o+ the ill&ge"7

They *ontin$e! to *o'p&re their e&rly lies. 'ost o+ the stories %eing Mr" Sin*l&ir/s.

(hi*h )ept her l&$ghing" By the ti'e she re&li5e! ho( long they/! %een strolling &ro$n! the

pon!. the s$n (&s high in the s)y &n! her sto'&*h r$'%le! (ith h$nger" She presse! & h&n!

to her 'i!!le in e'%&rr&ss'ent"

7Forgie 'e.7 Mr" Sin*l&ir s&i! (ith & t(in)le in his eye" 7I h&e r&'%le! so long yo$ &re

gro(ing +&int (ith h$nger"7


10/46

7Don/t %e silly" I s)ip %re&)+&st '&ny 'ornings (ith no thre&t o+ (ithering &(&y"7 Still.

she !i! (ish to e&t soon" 7B$t perh&ps (e sho$l! ret$rn to the '&nor" My 'other h&s li)ely

'isse! 'e %y no("7

7H'''" I highly !o$%t &nyone h&s noti*e! I/' not there" I/' not s$re i+ th&t/s & %lessing

or & *$rse. %$t it is *o''on in l&rge +&'ilies. I $n!erst&n!"7 He steere! the' in the !ire*tion

o+ the p&th thro$gh the (oo!s"7Do yo$ pl&n to h&e & l&rge +&'ily one !&y97 As soon &s the (or!s le+t her 'o$th.

>$li&nn& %it the insi!e o+ her *hee)" h&t h&! '&!e her &s) s$*h & ;$estion9 4o( he (o$l!

thin) she h&! '&rri&ge on her 'in!" 4othing *o$l! %e +$rther +ro' the tr$th. she tol! hersel+"

An! &l'ost %eliee! it"

7I neer tho$ght '$*h &%o$t it" I s$ppose it (&s $n!erstoo! I (o$l! '&rry. &n! $ntil

E!(&r! (&s %orn there (&s & *h&n*e proi!ing the heir *o$l! +&ll to 'e" Ho(eer. I *on+ess

th&t (hile on the Continent I h&! ery little ti'e +or s$*h tho$ghts"7

For & short !ist&n*e they (&l)e! in silen*e" Ag&in. the (&r rose $p to re'in! her ho(

%&*on-%r&ine! she (&s to pl&n her +$t$re &s & spinster %y *hoi*e" She/! t$rne! !o(n t(o

o++ers o+ '&rri&ge %e+ore her &$nt h&! spo)en to her &%o$t %e*o'ing her *o'p&nion" Both

'en h&! !e*ent liings &n! pro'ise! *o'+ort&%le lies" B$t (&s it +&ir to '&rry (here herhe&rt (&s not inole!9 o$l! she loe her o(n *hil!ren (itho$t %l&'ing the' +or )eeping

her &t ho'e9 An! her h$s%&n!?(o$l! she gro( ,e&lo$s o+ his +ree!o' to *o'e &n! go &s he

ple&se!9

7An! (h&t o+ yo$. 6&!y >$li&nn&9 H&e (e Sin*l&irs sho(n yo$ the %lessings to %e +o$n!

in & l&rge ho$sehol!97

She +eigne! & s'ile" 7As I s&i! l&st night. I !on/t inten! to '&rry"7

7So yo$ s&i!" I/e neer 'et & yo$ng (o'&n so !eter'ine! to &oi! the p&rson/s

'o$setr&p"7

A l&rge &ni'&l *&'e %o$n!ing thro$gh the %r$sh &n! >$li&nn& inst&ntly steppe! *loser to

Mr" Sin*l&ir" A lo$! %&r) g&e &(&y the %e&st/s i!entity ,$st %e+ore he %ro)e thro$gh the

trees" Mr" Sin*l&ir *&lle! to hi'" 7St" 8eorge@ I le+t (itho$t yo$ this 'orning. ol! %oy" ill

yo$ +orgie 'e97

The gi&nt %l&*) &n! (hite !og l$r*he! $p &n! pl&nte! his +orep&(s on his '&ster/s

sho$l!ers. his sl&ering tong$e %&thing Mr" Sin*l&ir/s +&*e" O!!ly eno$gh. the '&n l&$ghe!"

7I t&)e th&t &s & yes"7 ith %oth h&n!s. he p$she! the !og/s he&! &(&y" St" 8eorge !roppe!

his p&(s to the gro$n! &n! stoo! (ith his t&il (&gging"

7I/e neer seen s$*h & l&rge !og" He '$st (eigh 'ore th&n yo$ !o"7

7He/s +ro' 4e(+o$n!l&n!" A '&n *onin*e! +&ther this !og (&s rel&te! to Bo&ts(&in.

6or! Byron/s %eloe! !og" I h&e 'y !o$%ts. %$t he is %y +&r the %est !og (e/e h&!" The

*hil!ren thin) o+ hi' &s &nother pl&y'&te. or & pie*e o+ +$rnit$re"7

The !og loo)e! $p &t her &s i+ !e*i!ing (hether to li*) her +&*e or not" She r&ise! herh&n!s to (&r! hi' o++" 7:o$ '$stn/t !&re ,$'p on 'e. St" 8eorge" I +e&r I (o$l!n/t s$rie

it"7

7ell. i+ he h$rts yo$. he *&n *&rry yo$ %&*) to the ho$se"7

7I/! %e '$*h 'ore *o'+ort&%le on C&es&r. gien the *hoi*e"7 She r&n her +ingers oer the

horse/s elet '$55le &n! e&rne! & ni*)er in ret$rn" Then the horse/s e&rs pri*)e! &n! he

*&lle! o$t to (h&teer he he&r! in the !ist&n*e"

7So'eone '$st h&e +ollo(e! St" 8eorge.7 Mr" Sin*l&ir s&i!"

His %rother trotte! $p the p&th on & slee) %l&*) horse. his +&*e sho(ing his s$rprise"

7ell. goo! 'orning to yo$. >$li&nn&" 4&sh"7

78oo! 'orning. 8eo++" e (ere ,$st on o$r (&y %&*)"7 >$li&nn& *&$ght & ;$estioning tilt

o+ his he&! !ire*te! &t his %rother" She )ne( i''e!i&tely (h&t he &ss$'e!" S$rely 8eo++


11/46

)ne( her (ell eno$gh to not s$spe*t &ny thre&t o+ &n &tt&*h'ent +or'ing %et(een his %rother

&n! her"

Mr" Sin*l&ir epl&ine! their o$ting" 7I +o$n! 6&!y >$li&nn& %y the pon! &n! *on+ess to

%oring her (ell %eyon! (h&t & g$est sho$l! %e epe*te! to en!$re" I/e %een trying to thin)

o+ & (&y to '&)e it $p to her"7

8eo++ r&ise! & %ro(" 7H&e yo$9 An! (h&t h&e yo$ !eise!97Mr" Sin*l&ir t$rne! to se&r*h her +&*e" 7The l&!y is !i++i*$lt to !is*ern" ith o$r sisters.

&n o++er o+ & pretty ri%%on or +&ore! s(eet sho$l! s$++i*e" B$t I +e&r yo$r sister-in-l&( is not

so e&sily !ierte!"7

hen %oth 'en *ontin$e! to st$!y her. een in ,est. her *hee)s gre( (&r'" She !i!n/t

en,oy %eing the +o*$s o+ &nyone/s &ttention" hy *o$l!n/t they le&e her %e9 Cle''ie h&!

(&rne! her &%o$t the %rothers/ te&sing (&y. %$t she/! &ss$'e! they !ire*te! it to(&r!s the

*hil!ren"

8eo++ no!!e! &t his %rother/s *o''ent. %$t his eyes n&rro(e!" 7$ite so" An! (ere I

!is*$ssing this (ith. s&y. Millingh&' or Br&!+or!. I 'ight +eel in*line! to o++er & s$ggestion"

8ien it is yo$. %rother. (ho see)s her goo! opinion. I +in! I '$st &s) (hy it is so i'port&nt

to yo$"7


12/46

Chapter Three

$estions &%o$t 6&!y >$li&nn& !&n*e! &%o$t 4&sh/s he&! thro$gho$t the &+ternoon. +irst

(hile he e&!e! his 'other/s ;$est to re&*;$&int hi' (ith the i*&r/s t(o !&$ghters. Miss

8illy &n! Miss Milly Colling(oo!" The gli'pse he h&! o+ the' &s he tiptoe! p&st the

!r&(ing roo' tol! hi' %oth yo$ng l&!ies (ere een ro$n!er th&n (hen he/! seen the' t(oye&rs p&st" Miss Milly/s shrill giggle e*hoe! thro$gh the open !oor(&y &n! %o$n*e! o++ the

(&lls. *h&sing 4&sh &s he h$rrie! his p&*e to(&r!s the %&*) st&irs"

4&sh instr$*te! the %$tler. Rhi'es. he (o$l! not %e ,oining the others &t *&r!s. &n! i+

&s)e!. to s&y he/! not %een seen sin*e 'orning" He then retre&te! into his %e!*h&'%er" Doing

so (&s &n $n(ise *hoi*e" ith nothing to re&!. &n! o(ing no one & letter. he p&*e! the +loor"

O+ *o$rse. he &g&in +o$n! hi'sel+ re+le*ting on 6&!y >$li&nn&"

6e&ning on the (in!o( +r&'e. he st&re! &t the %&rren re&r l&(n &n! le&+less trees" Try &s

he 'ight. he *o$l!n/t ;$iet the notion his li+e (&s in ,$st s$*h & st&te" He (&sn/t gien to

poeti*s. yet the *o'ing !&ys. perh&ps ye&rs. (o$l! !&(n %le&) &n! grey i+ he !i!n/t !o

so'ething" 8o into %$siness" Be*o'e ste(&r! oer one o+ his +&ther/s properties" M&rry"

Anything"He *ontin$e! to pon!er on it !$ring !inner. (hi*h (&s r&ther light +&re gien they (ere

&ll to &tten! the Christ'&s Ee %&ll &t the &sse'%ly roo's th&t eening &n! (o$l! %e e&ting

&g&in there" Cle'entin&. sitting on his le+t. 'entione! the isit %y the i*&r/s !&$ghters"

7I %eliee they *&lle! here to !eter'ine i+ yo$ (o$l! %e in &tten!&n*e this eening.7 she

s&i!"

He %it %&*) & gro&n" 7An! (h&t !i! Mother tell the'97

Cle'entin& li*)e! her lips &n! s'ile!" 7:o$r 'other (&s ;$ite *ert&in yo$ (o$l! %e +$lly

reste! +ro' yo$r tr&els &n! re&!y to !&n*e the night thro$gh"7

The %ite o+ +ish in his 'o$th gre( ery !ry" He *ho)e! it !o(n &n! too) seer&l s(&llo(s

o+ his (ine %e+ore he *o$l! spe&)" He *le&re! his thro&t" 7Ho( !elight+$l" I '$st re'e'%er to

th&n) Mother +or ens$ring 'y entert&in'ent"7

7:o$/re her only $n'&rrie! son. 4&sh" It/s not ;$ite the s&'e &s the ,oy she gets

'&t*h'&)ing +or her !&$ghters. %$t yo$ '$st $n!erst&n! she/ll +eel her li+e is in*o'plete

$ntil yo$ t&)e & (i+e"7

Allo(ing his g&5e to *ir*le the h&ppily '&rrie! yo$ng people &ro$n! the t&%le. he *o$l!n/t

preent hi'sel+ +ro' stopping on the one other person (ho/! re'&ine! single (ell p&st the

epe*te! &ge" 6&!y >$li&nn& s&t %et(een her +&ther &n! one o+ 4&sh/s %rothers-in-l&(. &n!

(&s !eep in *oners&tion (ith those se&te! ne&r%y" Her !eep green go(n '&!e her s)in loo)

li)e +r&gile por*el&in"

Cle'entin& '$st h&e noti*e! (here his &ttention l&y" 7:o$ &re !eter'ine! to '&)e the

step !i++i*$lt. &re yo$977h&t97 He t$rne! his he&! to loo) &t Cle'entin&" 7Ho( is th&t97

7I+ yo$ &re hoping to *&pt$re her he&rt. yo$/ll h&e & ro$gh ti'e o+ it"7

He *onsi!ere! her (or!s" 7Do her &++e*tions lie else(here97

7She h&s intention&lly &oi!e! &llo(ing hersel+ to hol! &ny &++e*tion to(&r!s &ny '&n"7

Cle'entin& le&ne! *loser &n! )ept her oi*e lo(" 7I *&nnot epl&in it" I/' *ert&in she neer

h&! her he&rt %ro)en" I *&n thin) o+ no re&son +or her to +eel this (&y. &n! she re+$ses to

spe&) &%o$t it"7

They stoppe! *onersing (hile the net *o$rse (&s sere!" 4&sh &te seer&l spoon+$ls o+

the !eli*io$s *elery r&go$t (hile (&iting +or her to *ontin$e" He !i!n/t (&nt to &ppe&r too

e&ger to le&rn 'ore o+ her sister/s *h&r&*ter" Cle'entin& h&! %ro&*he! the s$%,e*t. giing hi'

the opening. %$t !is*retion (o$l! still %e (ise" He (&sn/t een *ert&in (hy he nee!e! to)no( eerything &%o$t 6&!y >$li&nn&. so he !i!n/t (&nt to !r&( &ttention to his *$riosity"


13/46

7I+ yo$ (ish it. yo$ '&y isit $s in the spring &n! I (ill intro!$*e yo$ to so'e o+ 'y

+rien!s" e/ll thro( & ho$se p&rty. so it (on/t %e '&t*h'&)ing" 8eo++ *&n inite & +e( o+ the

single yo$ng 'en he )no(s to ro$n! o$t the n$'%ers" I/e %een longing to see seer&l o+ 'y

p&rti*$l&r +rien!s" It (ill %e per+e*t"7

#er+e*tly !re&!+$l. in his opinion" hile & ho$se p&rty (&sn/t &s p&in+$l &s spen!ing &n

eening (ith & ne( &*;$&int&n*e (ho hope! +or &n &tt&*h'ent. the &**$'$l&tion o+ en!less%rie+ 'o'ents o+ &()(&r!ness (&s e;$&lly $n*o'+ort&%le" He s'ile! in spite o+ his

*onstern&tion" 7I sho$l! h&te to p$t yo$ to &ny tro$%le"7

7It/s no tro$%le" h&t else is & sister +or. %$t to intro!$*e her %rother to his +$t$re (i+e"7

She 'e&nt (ell. %$t he *o$l! pi*t$re her %esi!e his 'other &s they '&ppe! o$t their

str&tegy" Een the ellington (o$l! ;$&)e in his hessi&ns (hen +&*e! (ith s$*h & +oe" &s

there &ny *h&n*e 4&sh 'ight 'eet so'eone &t the &sse'%ly roo's th&t ery eening &n!

!e*l&re hi'sel+ p&ssion&tely in loe. th$s p$tting &n en! to the '&!ness9

H&ing gro(n $p &t Ren+or! A%%ey. he )ne( the &ns(er to th&t ;$estion" He &lso )ne(

&ll the yo$ng l&!ies. '&rrie! &n! not. li)ely to &tten! the !&n*e" 4one (ere re'&r)&%le

eno$gh to te'pt hi' into '&)ing &ny poeti* !e*l&r&tions" Still. (hen he +ollo(e! his +&'ily

insi!e the l&rge inn. the +estiity o+ the night pro'ise! &n en,oy&%le ti'e. i+ nothing 'ore"He re'in!e! hi'sel+ '&ny '&rri&ges (ere %$ilt on less th&n & p&ssion&te loe" B$t he

(&nte! 'ore" I+ he h&! to spen! the rest o+ his li+e (ith & (o'&n. he !&'ne! (ell (&nte! to

*&re &%o$t her" His p&rents/ loe (&s the %&*)%one o+ his +&'ily" He epe*te! the s&'e +ro'

his o(n '&rri&ge"

8eo++ &n! F&ther i''e!i&tely '&!e their (&y to the *&r! t&%les. %$t 4&sh re'&ine! (ith

the rest o+ their p&rty" A *otillion (&s &lre&!y in progress &t one en! o+ the *ro(!e! roo'"

His sister M&ri&nne &n! Cle'entin& s;$ee5e! thro$gh the press o+ to(nspeople to sit (ith

so'e o+ M&ri&nne/s +rien!s" Mother &n! 6&!y C&rrington +o$n! the (i+e o+ the lo*&l soli*itor

&s (ell &s Mrs" Colling(oo!. the i*&r/s (i+e" Their *&*)le! greetings re'in!e! 4&sh o+ the

henho$se e&rly in the 'orning" ith & roll o+ his eyes. he *ontin$e! on(&r!s"

Eie !r&gge! 6&!y >$li&nn& to 'eet so'e o+ the yo$nger l&!ies (ho (ere not !&n*ing

this set" 4&sh +ollo(e!" #erh&ps so'e o+ Eie/s +rien!s (o$l! %e 'ore !esir&%le no( they

(ere re&!y to '&)e their *o'e-o$t" More genteel. *ir*$'spe*t"

He sho$l! h&e )no(n %etter" Their *&*)les r&ng o$t e;$&lly lo$!. i+ higher in pit*h th&n

his 'other &n! her +rien!s" He &tte'pte! to '&)e his es*&pe %e+ore they noti*e! hi'. only to

%e stoppe! %y & h&n! on his &r'"

7Mr" Sin*l&ir97

Relie+ (&she! thro$gh hi' (hen he re*ogni5e! the s(eetest o+ oi*es" He s'ile! &n!

t$rne! %&*). %o(ing his he&! slightly" 76&!y >$li&nn&"7

7A' I )eeping yo$ +ro' ,oining yo$r +rien!s97

74o" $ite the opposite" I/! tho$ght to spe&) to Eie. %$t !on/t (ish to intr$!e.7 he h&stilyepl&ine!" He pl&*e! >$li&nn&/s h&n! on his sleee &n! 'oe! &(&y +ro' his sister" 7Are yo$

!&n*ing this eening97

7Cle''ie s&ys I sho$l!"7

7B$t yo$ !on/t (ish to9 I &ss$re yo$ the lo*&l yo$ng 'en (o$l! %e !elighte! to h&e &

ne( p&rtner +or & *h&nge"7

7:es. %$t eeryone re&!s too '$*h into & !&n*e" One *&nnot si'ply en,oy the '$si* &n!

steps" One '$st spe&) &t the proper ti'es. &n! only on the proper s$%,e*ts. (hile '&n&ging to

&ppe&r (itty &n! g&y" ith &ll the r$les to o%sere there is no roo' +or en,oy'ent"7

He l&$ghe!" 7I tho$ght yo$ (eren/t (orrie! &%o$t (h&t others s&y"7

She o++ere! hi' & tre'$lo$s s'ile"


14/46

Co$ples g&there! in the *enter o+ the +loor &s the trio o+ '$si*i&ns prep&re! to pl&y the

net pie*e" 4&sh p$she! thro$gh the %yst&n!ers. t&)ing 6&!y >$li&nn& (ith hi'" 7ell. then.

yo$ sh&ll !&n*e (ith 'e &n! not (orry &%o$t &ny r$les"7

Be+ore she *o$l! &rg$e. the '$si* %eg&n &n! they 'oe! in step (ith the others" 4&sh

re+r&ine! +ro' '&)ing *&s$&l *o''ents. inste&! ,$st (&t*hing her en,oy hersel+" The s'&ll

*$rls +r&'ing her por*el&in +&*e %o$n*e! (ith e&*h light step &n! her *hee)s glo(e! & loelysh&!e o+ pin)" By the en! o+ the se*on! set they (ere %oth l&$ghing &n! %re&thing h&r!"

4&sh le! her to the re+resh'ents &n! h&n!e! her & s'&ll *$p o+ le'on&!e" 7I hope yo$/ll

gie 'e the honor o+ & se*on! !&n*e l&ter in the eening" Altho$gh I/' *ert&in I/ll h&e to

+ight 'y (&y thro$gh yo$r &!'irers"7

Her %$%%ling l&$gh !elighte! hi'" She too) & sip o+ her !rin). &n! her +ine iolet eyes

(ere still l&$ghing (hen she spo)e" 7ith &ll the yo$ng l&!ies present. I/' not li)ely to !r&(

&nyone/s &ttentions"7

As i+ to !isproe her point. Mr" Mi*h&el =pton stro!e $p to 4&sh" 7Sin*l&ir. ho( &re yo$9

It/s %een three ye&rs sin*e I l&st spo)e (ith yo$" ill yo$ %e st&ying long &t Ren+or!97

7A +e( (ee)s &t 'ost" F&ther tells 'e yo$ opene! & se*on! 'ill in Be*)%$ry"7

7:es. three 'onths p&st"7 He g&e 4&sh & r&ther pointe! loo) in 6&!y >$li&nn&/s!ire*tion"

7Ah. 6&!y >$li&nn& Do(sett. '&y I present 'y *hil!hoo! +rien!. Mr" Mi*h&el =pton.7

4&sh %eg&n" 76&!y >$li&nn& is 'y sister-in-l&(/s sister"7

7Ho( !o yo$ !o. Mr" =pton97

He %o(e!" 7$ite (ell. th&n) yo$" I 'et yo$r sister t(o ye&rs &go. I %eliee"7

6&!y >$li&nn& %lin)e! &n! thre( 4&sh & ple&!ing gl&n*e" 7Oh" ell. ho(?!elight+$l97

Mr" =pton o++ere! his &r'" 7I+ yo$ &re not other(ise eng&ge!. '&y I h&e this !&n*e97

7I. $h. th&t is. I h&!n/t$li&nn& *$rtsie!. '&!e

&n e*$se to &oi! his es*ort &n! h$rrie! to (here her 'other &n! 6&!y Ren+or! s&t %e+ore

Mr" =pton *o$l! o++er re+resh'ent or & stroll &ro$n! the roo'" M&'& noti*e! her &ppro&*h"

7>$li&nn&. !e&r" I &' so h&ppy to see yo$ en,oying yo$rsel+"7

7:es.7 6&!y Ren+or! &!!e!. the l&rge pe&*o*) +e&ther on her he&! %o%%ing" 7Th&t (&s

)in! o+ 4&sh to !&n*e (ith yo$. &ltho$gh I !o$%t the gentle'en here nee!e! &ny help in

seeing (h&t &n e*ellent p&rtner yo$ &re"7


15/46

>$li&nn& o++ere! &n i'it&tion o+ her sister/s s(eet s'ile" 7:es. I h&! &nother o++er &s soon

&s the +irst song en!e!" B$t poor Mr" Sin*l&ir h&sn/t !&n*e! &g&in. een tho$gh he h&s t(o

ery eligi%le p&rtners &t h&n!"7 She t$rne! in his !ire*tion. &s !i! the t(o ol!er (o'en"

7hy so he h&s"7 His 'other &!,$ste! her %onnet" 7He *&n/t &s) one sister &n! le&e the

other st&n!ing &lone" I %eliee (e *&n &ssist hi'" Sh&ll (e97

6&!y Ren+or! le! the (&y &ro$n! the !&n*ers (ith M&'& !ire*tly %ehin! her" >$li&nn&h$rrie! to )eep $p. so she (o$l!n/t 'iss & 'o'ent o+ the *oners&tion"

The *o$ntess greete! the three yo$ng people %e+ore t&)ing the &r' o+ Miss Milly" Or (&s

she Miss 8illy9 7I hope yo$ !on/t 'in!. 4&sh. %$t I noti*e! yo$r *o$sin (&s in nee! o+ &

p&rtner +or the S*ot*h reel" I/ll es*ort Miss Colling(oo! to hi'" :o$ '&y !&n*e (ith Miss

8illy in the S*ot*h reel. &n! Miss Colling(oo! in the net !&n*e"7

Mr" Sin*l&ir/s eyes +l&re! 'o'ent&rily. %$t his s'ile neer (&ere!" 7C&pit&l s$ggestion"

B$t (ho (ill !&n*e (ith 6&!y >$li&nn&97

74o(. !on/t yo$ (orry. !e&r %oy" Her 'other &n! I (ill +in! her & p&rtner. too"7

>$li&nn& )ept her gro&n to hersel+" She h&!n/t &nti*ip&te! th&t t$rn o+ the *&r!s" Mr"

Sin*l&ir (&s proing to %e & (orthy &!ers&ry"

His 'other (&s tr$e to her (or!. &n! &+ter !epositing Miss Colling(oo! on the &r' o+ &n$ns$spe*ting *o$sin #eter. 6&!y Ren+or! intro!$*e! >$li&nn& to & lo*&l +&r'er (ho (&s

s$rprisingly light on his +eet +or & '&n (ho spent his !&ys l&%oring in the +iel!s" His

*oners&tion (&s ple&s&nt. &s they h&! %oth re&! so'e o+ the s&'e %oo)s" He (&s & *heery

sort o+ '&n (ho l&$ghe! o+ten. &n! *o$l! %e *&lle! h&n!so'e. %$t she (&s not sorry (hen he

(&l)e! &(&y. le&ing her (ith her 'other &n! 6&!y Ren+or!" She (&sn/t e&ger to see hi' go.

%$t there (&s nothing 'e'or&%le &%o$t their %rie+ en*o$nter"

The other three 'en she !&n*e! (ith le+t her +eeling the s&'e (&y" hile she h&!

+orgotten ho( '$*h she en,oye! !&n*ing. she (o$l!n/t 'iss it (hen she ret$rne! ho'e" An!

none o+ the gentle'en &t the &sse'%ly (o$l! r&te & 'ention (hen she tol! her &$nt o+ &ll her

&!ent$res !$ring her isit to Ren+or!"

4one. in*l$!ing the one (ho repe&te!ly !re( her g&5e &s she !&n*e! (ith her &rio$s

p&rtners" Mr" Sin*l&ir (&s (orthy o+ s$*h 'ention. %$t >$li&nn& h&! yet to !eter'ine ho( he

(o$l! +it into the gr&n! s*he'e o+ her 'e'ories" He (&sn/t the 8re&t 6oe she/! (eep

'el&n*holy te&rs oer in her l&ter ye&rs. nor the #&ssing F&n*y she/! )eep in her tho$ghts ,$st

to re'in! her she/! on*e %een & silly *hit" An! he !i!n/t re&lly see' &n Inno*ent Flirt&tion"

4o. he (&s 'ore li)ely on the (&y to %e*o'ing & 8re&t Frien! she 'ight one !&y (ish

h&! %een 'ore"

4&sh resigne! hi'sel+ to !&n*ing (ith the Colling(oo! sisters. &n! !i!n/t h&te it &s '$*h

&s he epe*te!" The S*ot*h Reel (&s per+e*t +or Miss 8illy/s %o$n*y person&lity &n! sheper+or'e! the steps +l&(lessly" He tho$ght it & sh&'e she &n! her sister h&! &s yet %een

$n&%le to +in! h$s%&n!s" They (ere s(eet. i+ one t$rne! & %lin! eye to their e$%er&n*e"

A+ter !&n*ing (ith the se*on! sister. he noti*e! the (&ll+lo(ers ;$ietly o%sering the

!&n*ers" The h&l+-!o5en yo$ng l&!ies t&l)e! &'ongst the'seles &s i+ they/! r&ther %e

&ny(here %$t in the &sse'%ly roo's" He )ne( the +eeling" He &ppro&*he! the *losest one"

7Miss 6&ngly. ho( &re yo$97

7I/' (ell. th&n) yo$"7 She pl$*)e! &t the ri%%on on her %o!i*e"

He o++ere! his &r'" 7o$l! yo$ *&re to !&n*e97

She st$!ie! his &r' &s i+ she/! neer seen one %e+ore. &n! gl&n*e! nero$sly &t her +rien!s

%e+ore p$tting her h&n! insi!e his el%o(" 7:es" Th&n) yo$"7

His +eet )ne( the 'oes so (ell his tho$ghts (ere +ree to (&n!er. &n! those tho$ghtsret$rne! repe&te!ly to 6&!y >$li&nn&" It !i!n/t help (hen her l&$ghter (o$l! ring o$t +ro' &


16/46

+e( +eet %ehin! hi' on the !&n*e +loor" C$riosity %&ttle! ,e&lo$sy &n! he (&nte! to )no(

(h&t her p&rtner h&! s&i! to !elight her so"

h&t re&lly st&rtle! hi' (&s his re&*tion to 8eo++ p&rtnering her" &t*hing 6&!y

>$li&nn& t$rn on his &r' %ro$ght $p petty e'otions" 4&sh (&nte! to '&r*h oer &n! re'in!

his %rother he h&! & (i+e (ho (&s per+e*tly *&p&%le o+ !&n*ing" A si'il&r r&n*i! +eeling

*h$rne! in his g$t (hen she stoo! $p (ith other 'en" hy (&s he +eeling so possessie o+her9

Then 6&!y >$li&nn& (&l)e! o$t on the +loor (ith & lo*&l yo$ng '&n 4&sh !i!n/t

re*ogni5e" A short !ist&n*e sep&r&te! the p&ir (hen they too) their positions &n! (&ite! +or

the '$si* to %egin" She s'ile! &n! !$*)e! her he&!. &n! 4&sh (on!ere! (h&t the '&n h&!

s&i!" &s it & si'ple *o'pli'ent. or h&! he '&!e so'e o++-*olor s$ggestion9 6&!y >$li&nn&

(&sn/t %&sh+$l &ro$n! 4&sh. so s$rely her re&*tion sho(e! the '&n s&i! so'ething $nto(&r!"

Sho$l! 4&sh spe&) to hi'9

S$!!enly he he&r! his tho$ghts &n! re&li5e! he (&s &*ting li)e & +ool" h&t *o$l! the

'&n s&y in the 'i!st o+ & *ro(!e! &sse'%ly9 It h&! to %e &n inno*ent *o''ent" 4&sh (o$l!

!o %etter to )eep his eyes o++ 6&!y >$li&nn&. or he 'ight s&y so'ething th&t (o$l! e'%&rr&ss

hi'sel+ &s (ell &s the l&!y"By the ti'e he/! (or)e! his (&y thro$gh the +irst three (&ll+lo(ers. seer&l other

gentle'&n h&! *o'e to the res*$e o+ the others" Reliee! o+ his sel+-i'pose! !$ty to ens$re

their h&ppiness. he %er&te! hi'sel+ +or his nee! to p$t on the )night/s shining &r'or &n!

res*$e the +&ir !&'sels" He (o$l! h&e to (&t*h th&t ten!en*y (hile h$nting +or & (i+e. lest

he +in! hi'sel+ s&!!le! to & yo$ng l&!y he/! only 'e&nt to s&e +ro' !is&ppoint'ent"

6&!y >$li&nn& l&$ghe! &g&in +ro' the *enter o+ the roo'. *&lling hi' li)e & siren/s song"

hy (&s it. (hen he *o'p&re! her to the other &&il&%le l&!ies o+ his &*;$&int&n*e. none

presente! the'seles &s !esir&%le &ltern&ties9


17/46

Chapter Four

In spite o+ the l&te ho$r o+ their ret$rn +ro' the &sse'%ly roo's. >$li&nn& &rose e&rly the

net 'orning" She &te her to&st &n! !r&n) her *ho*ol&te &lone in her roo'. gr&%%e! her

pelisse &n! slippe! into the g&r!en %e+ore &nyone else stirre!" Or so she tho$ght"

Mr" Sin*l&ir (&s ret$rning +ro' the st&%les" She noti*e! & slight li'p she h&!n/t seen%e+ore" H&! he in,$re! & li'% in %&ttle. in &!!ition to his he&! (o$n!9 A+ter p$lling o++ his

gloes. he s'ile! (hen he s&( her" 78oo! 'orning" Merry Christ'&s"7

7Merry Christ'&s" H&e yo$ %een ri!ing97

7:es" Ol! h&%it" M&ne$ers &t !&(n. th&t sort o+ thing"7

She )ne( nothing &%o$t '&ne$ers &t !&(n. or &ny other )in!" 4o '&tter the n$'%er o+

%oo)s &n! tre&tises she re&! on %&ttles. she (o$l! neer +$lly $n!erst&n! (h&t & sol!ier

eperien*e!" Een the (ies (ho +ollo(e! the !r$'


18/46

&ltho$gh %oth & h&n!so'e $nn&'e! )night &n! & ill&ge l&! n&'e! >i' #$l) h&e %een gien

*re!it"7

7I see" I i'&gine i+ I he&r! & legen! (here the hero h&! no n&'e. I/! %e e&ger to len! it

'ine" This >i' person so$n!s ;$ite the enterprising yo$ng l&!" I %eliee I sho$l! h&e li)e!

hi'"7

She g&e & !r&'&ti* sigh" 7As sho$l! I" B$t &s he lie! h$n!re!s o+ ye&r &go. yo$ no(see (hy I '$st re'&in $n'&rrie!" I/' &+r&i! I 'isse! 'y *h&n*e &t h&ppiness %y %eing %orn

too l&te"7

Mr" Sin*l&ir pi*)e! $p & s'&ll stone &n! tosse! it into the !ist&n*e" 7I (o$l!n/t %e so

;$i*) to !is'iss &ll 'en"7

74o97

74o"7

She (&ite!. (&t*hing hi' &s they strolle!" She (o$l! neer &!'it ho( '$*h she en,oye!

*onersing (ith hi'" His (it (&s ery entert&ining. &n! e&*h ti'e she s&( hi' he &ppe&re!

een 'ore h&n!so'e" She %it her lip" This (o$l! not !o@ She '$stn/t let her resole (e&)en"

She !i!n/t nee! & h$s%&n!" Her li+e (&s settle!"

B$t she (&s *ert&in Mr" Sin*l&ir h&! so'e sort o+ s*he'e in 'in!"7I %eliee I *&n +in! & '&n (hose o++er yo$ *&n/t re+$se" :es. I/' positie o+ it"7

Her lips thinne!" Fin! & '&n9 #erh&ps he !i!n/t +in! her &s &ttr&*tie &s she +o$n! hi'"

7Mr" Sin*l&ir. I sho$l! h&te to !is&ppoint &ny yo$ng 'en yo$ %ro$ght /ro$n! (ith hopes o+

'&)ing &n &tt&*h'ent"7

7I/' (illing to (&ger on it" I (ill h&e *h&nge! yo$r 'in! %e+ore T(el+th 4ight"7

7:o$ thin) to *h&nge 'y 'in! in less th&n & +ortnight97 4o( she l&$ghe!" 7I &l'ost +eel

g$ilty &**epting s$*h & (&ger" h&t (ill yo$ lose (hen I re'&in $n&tt&*he!97

7:o$ thin) ;$ite highly o+ yo$rsel+" Th&t (ill '&)e this &ll the 'ore en,oy&%le" h&t

sh&ll (e (&ger97 He stro)e! his *hin. his lips p$rse! &s i+ to hi!e & grin" >$li&nn& *o$l!n/t

t&)e her eyes o++ those lips" The %otto' one (&s so +$ll" Ho( (o$l! they +eel presse! &g&inst

hers9

Stop!As long &s he !i!n/t present hi'sel+ &s the *&n!i!&te. she (o$l! %e +ine" She trie! to

+o*$s on (h&t she/! li)e to (in" A ne( h&t. perh&ps. or & %oo)"

7A )iss.7 he s&i!"

7A (h&t97 H&! he seen her st&ring &t his 'o$th9

7:o$ he&r! 'e" hen I (in. yo$ (ill gie 'e & )iss"7

7An! (hen I (in97

7ell. yo$ *o$l! &lso &s) +or & )iss" 4o97

She shoo) her he&!" 7I+ (e sh&ll )iss reg&r!less o+ the o$t*o'e o+ the (&ger. (here is the

point97

He stoppe!. t$rning her to +&*e hi'" His h&n!s re'&ine! on her sho$l!ers" 7hy. I%eliee yo$ &re right" :o$ *&n )iss 'e no( &n! s&e yo$rsel+ the h$'ili&tion o+ losing"7

>$li&nn&/s %re&th *&$ght in her thro&t" &s he going to )iss her9 Sho$l! she stop hi'9 Di!

she (&nt to stop hi'9 Her he&rt r&*e! (ith the ;$estions in her he&!" She gre( (&r'. then

*ol!. then (&r' &g&in &ll in the s&'e 'o'ent" He tippe! his he&! &n! le&ne! in. his g&5e

+o*$se! on her lips"

She s(&ye! eer so slightly *loser. then t$rne! on her heel" 74o. I thin) not.7 she tosse!

oer her sho$l!er" 7It (ill %e so '$*h 'ore entert&ining to see yo$ lose"7

She s)ippe! %&*) to the '&nor ho$se"


19/46

6&!y >$li&nn& (&nte! & '&n (ho sl&ys !r&gons. !i! she9 4&sh (&sn/t s$re (hether to

l&$gh or )i*) the ne&rest ro*)" Fin!ing & '&n (ho +it her !re&'s o+ )nights &n! &r'or (&s

net to i'possi%le" Altho$gh it eli'in&te! &ny *o'petition +or her h&n!"

As he !resse! +or !inner. tho$ghts o+ 6&!y >$li&nn& still +ille! his he&!" He re&lly h&!

gone %&*on-%r&ine! this ti'e" Ho( on e&rth (o$l! he *onin*e her she %elonge! (ith hi'.

&n! only hi'9 An! (hen h&! he !e*i!e! she (&s the only one +or hi'9 #erh&ps it (&s the'o'ents (hen she l&$ghe! (itho$t restr&int" Or '&y%e it (&s the *h&llenge she presente!"

She !i!n/t (&nt & h$s%&n!. so there (&s little point in sho(ing her ho( they s$ite!" Their

+&'ilies got on (ell" His in*o'e (o$l! s$pport & (i+e in so'e *o'+ort. %$t he (ishe! to

(or). &n! *o$l! e&sily e&rn eno$gh to r&ise & +&'ily in & style 'ore s$iting the !&$ghter o+ &n

e&rl"

6&!y >$li&nn& !i!n/t see) & ri*h '&n or & title. so he h&! no *on*erns there" 7She (&nts no

'&n. yo$ +ool"7

8iens. his &let. stoppe! tying 4&sh/s *r&&t" 7I %eg yo$r p&r!on. sir97

7Ignore 'e" >$st spe&)ing 'y tho$ghts &lo$!"7

7ery goo!. sir"7

4&sh st$!ie! the t&ller '&n (ho h&! %een his %&t'&n +or '&ny ye&rs. $p $ntil they %oth(ere (o$n!e! in %&ttle" 78iens. !o I &ppe&r to h&e lost 'y +&*$lties97

7Other th&n *&lling yo$rsel+ & +ool. !o yo$ 'e&n. sir97

7I !esere! th&t"7

His +rien! &n! ser&nt '&!e one l&st &!,$st'ent %e+ore stepping %&*)" 7:o$. sir. &re &s

sh&rp-(itte! &s (hen yo$ pointe! o$t the Fren*hie +&r'er (ho (&s &*ting o!!ly"7

4&sh sh$!!ere! &t the 'e'ory o+ the +&r'er (ho/! hi!!en h&l+ & !o5en ene'y sol!iers in

his h&y *&rt" I+ not +or 4&sh/s s$spi*ions. he &n! his 'en (o$l! h&e %een sl&$ghtere! li)e

hogs"

The (&y he (&s t$rning into & s$*h & no!*o*). he (&s gr&te+$l he no longer (&s in the

*&&lry" At le&st losing his %et (ith >$li&nn& (o$l! %e p&inless" Other th&n the %lo( to his

ego"

He (&s not (illing to gie $p so e&sily. tho$gh"

A s*he'e (&s re;$ire!. & goo! str&tegy" As (orthy &n opponent &s 6&!y >$li&nn& (&s.

she (o$l! only &ppre*i&te losing in & goo! +ight" She/! neer gie her he&rt to &n $n!esering

'&n" B$t ho( (&s he to sho( her he/! sl&y !r&gons +or her9

On*e 8iens &pproe! o+ his &ppe&r&n*e. 4&sh stro!e !o(n the h&ll(&y to(&r!s the

gr&n! st&ir*&se" The th$n!er o+ +ootsteps r&*e! $p %ehin! hi' &n! he (&s ne&rly %o(le! oer

%y Eerett &n! Fr&n). &n! &g&in %y St" 8eorge" The l&tter p&$se! to %&r) h&ppily. his tong$e

h&nging o$t the si!e o+ his silly grin. %e+ore *h&sing &+ter the t(ins"

Th&t !og (o$l! %e the !e&th o+ so'eone. i+ the %oys !i!n/t ;$it te&sing hi'" His si5e

&lone *o$l! %re&) %ones" hen the gr&n!*hil!ren (eren/t in ho$se. St" 8eorge (&s & *&l'&ni'&l. %$t he &*te! li)e & p$p (ith the yo$ngsters"

A !oor opene! &n! 8eo++ *&$ght $p to 4&sh" 7&s th&t the t(ins I he&r! *h&rging p&st97

7It (&s"7

7I !on/t )no( ho( M&ri&nne p$ts $p (ith the'"7

4&sh l&$ghe!" 7She/s too %$sy loo)ing &+ter the rest o+ her %roo!" Else those t(o

hoolig&ns (o$l! h&e so'e '&nners"7

7M&nners9 :o$/e +orgotten o$r *hil!hoo! *o'pletely. then97

4&sh shr$gge!" 7ell. (e !i!n/t r$n in the h&lls"7

74or sli!e !o(n the %&nister" 4or ,$'p +ro' the %&l*ony into & sno(!ri+t"7

7e (ere l$*)y in th&t one. (eren/t (e9 Th&t %$sh (e l&n!e! on (&s '$*h so+ter th&n

the tile! pl&5& (o$l! h&e %een"7


20/46

8eo++ *o'%e! %&*) his h&ir (ith his +ingers &n! t$gge! &t his *$++s" 7Re'in! 'e o+ this

in & +e( ye&rs (hen E!(&r! is (&l)ing"7

They ,oine! the others in the !r&(ing roo'" 6&!y >$li&nn& (&s &lre&!y *onersing (ith

Eie" Cle'entin& *&'e !o(n &+ter p$tting E!(&r! to sleep" The other yo$ng p&rents loo)e!

eh&$ste! &+ter &ll the e*ite'ent o+ opening gi+ts (ith the *hil!ren"

Mother *&lle! o$t to 4&sh" 7:o$ h&en/t s&i! (h&t p&rt yo$/ll t&)e in the entert&in'entson T(el+th 4ight"7

As he (&l)e! to her *h&ir. 4&sh %it his tong$e" Eery ye&r the ser&nts &n! their +&'ilies.

&long (ith the ste(&r! &n! & +e( o+ the ten&nt +&'ilies. g&there! to sh&re in the *&)es &n!

tre&ts. &n! en,oy the per+or'&n*es p$t on %y 4&sh/s %rothers &n! sisters &t the T(el+th 4ight

*hil!ren/s %&ll" 7I *&n honestly s&y I h&en/t gien it & tho$ght. Mother"7

7:o$/e %een 'isse! these p&st ye&rs &n! eeryone (ill %e so h&ppy to see yo$" #erh&ps

yo$ *o$l! !o & re&!ing &g&in" :o$ !o re&! so elo;$ently"7

He/! !eise so'ething i+ he '$st" 7h&t &%o$t the *hil!ren9 They/! %e '$*h 'ore

entert&ining th&n &n ol! sol!ier"7

7M&ri&nne is te&*hing so'e songs to the yo$nger ones %$t (e '$st +in! so'ething +or the

ol!er %oys" I/' not *o'pletely *ert&in (e *&n )eep the' $n!er *ontrol long eno$gh to re*itet(o lines. %$t i+ one o+ yo$ 'en (o$l! t&)e the' to t&s). (e 'ight h&e so'e l$*)"7

#i*t$ring Eerett &n! Fr&n) r$nning &t +$ll spee! '&!e hi' *onsi!er (h&t sort o+ *h&r&!e

(o$l! interest the' eno$gh to gie their +$ll &ttention" So'ething (ith s(or!s &n! %loo!. yet

nothing so gr$eso'e &s to sen! 6&!y C&rrington into +&inting spells"

An i!e& %eg&n to t&)e sh&pe" :es. he 'ight %e &%le to p$ll this o++ &n! &**o'plish t(o

things &t on*e" 7hy !on/t yo$ le&e the %oys to 'e. Mother9 :o$ '&y &!! the' to yo$r

entert&in'ent progr&'"7

Mother g&e his &r' & s;$ee5e" 7I )ne( I *o$l! *o$nt on yo$" H&e I tol! yo$ ho( goo!

it is to h&e yo$ ho'e9 The holi!&ys (ere the (orst (hen I spent so '$*h ti'e (on!ering i+

yo$r 'ost re*ent letter (o$l! %e yo$r l&st"7

Her (or!s (r&ppe! &ro$n! hi' &s i+ her +leshy &r's h$gge! hi'" For & 'o'ent he

&l'ost (ishe! he (ere yo$ng eno$gh to *r&(l in her l&p &n! let her shiel! hi' +ro' the

(orl!" B$t those !&ys (ere long gone" He hope! his loe shone in his s'ile" 7I pl&n to %e

here +or &ll the rest o+ the holi!&ys. neer +e&r"7

As he spo)e. 6&!y >$li&nn& t$rne! her he&! &n! 'et his g&5e" She $n!o$%te!ly *o$l!n/t

he&r hi' oer the ste&!y h$' o+ oi*es. %$t he preten!e! her s'ile pro'ise! so'ething to

*o'e"

A+ter !inner the +&'ily %ro)e into s'&ll gro$ps in the !r&(ing roo' &n! 4&sh strolle! to

6&!y >$li&nn&. se&te! ne&r her sister" Bo(ing. he &s)e! her. 7o$l! yo$ *&re to ,oin 'e +or &t$rn &%o$t the roo'97

Her s'&ll s'ile sent (&es o+ he&t oer hi'" She stoo! &n! too) his &r'"

4&sh %eg&n to steer her to(&r!s the he&rth (here & +ire glo(e! &n! *r&*)le!" 7Di! yo$

en,oy yo$r Christ'&s97

7:es. it (&s r&ther ple&s&nt" I+ & %it 'ore %oistero$s th&n I/' $se! to"7

7Th&t/s ho( it sho$l! %e" 6o$!. %oistero$s &n! +ille! (ith *hil!ren/s l&$ghter"7

She tippe! her he&! to one si!e &n! st$!ie! hi'" 7I s$ppose yo$/re *orre*t" :o$ng %oys

ho'e +ro' s*hool. the (hole +&'ily g&there! to *ele%r&te"7

He le! her to & gro$ping o+ l&rge pl&nts &n! p$lle! her %ehin! the'" Her eyes (i!ene!

&n! she steppe! %&*)" He s'ile!" 7I/' not going to se!$*e yo$" I (&nte! to gie yo$ this"7


21/46

He !roppe! & s'&ll. sil)-(r&ppe! %$n!le in her p&l'" She st$!ie! it &n! gl&n*e! &t hi'

;$estioningly. then $n(r&ppe! the p&*)&ge" She g&spe! &s she li+te! o$t the s'&ll !r&gon

*&ring" 7It/s %e&$ti+$l"7

7It/s so'ething I/e h&! sin*e I (&s s'&ll" hen I s&( it in the n$rsery this &+ternoon. I

tho$ght o+ yo$"7

She t$rne! it %&*) &n! +orth &s she st$!ie! it" 7It loo)s ;$ite +ier*e"77B$t h&r!ly 'ore th&n & sn&*). !on/t yo$ thin)97

She snorte! in l&$ghter %$t *&$ght hersel+ ;$i*)ly (ith her h&n! oer her 'o$th" 7I

'$stn/t !r&( their &ttention" h&t (ill they thin) o+ $s hi!ing here %ehin! the +erns97

7:o$r +&ther (ill thin) the (orst" My 'other (ill thin) her pr&yers h&e %een &ns(ere!"7

7She (ishes +or yo$ to se!$*e her g$ests97

His l&$gh %o$n*e! o++ the ne&r%y (&ll" 7Only the ones she *onsi!ers &n e*ellent '&t*h"

I/' s$rprise! she h&sn/t re*o''en!e! 'e"7

7My 'other h&s" She !oesn/t %eliee I h&e no interest in '&rrying"7

7Or perh&ps. she )no(s yo$r he&rt %etter th&n yo$97 Be+ore she *o$l! reply. he le! her

%&*) into the he&rt o+ the roo' &n! too) his le&e"


22/46

Chapter Five

A+ter (&shing o++ the s'ell o+ !&'p horse th&t *l$ng to hi' +ro' his !&ily ri!e. 4&sh

slippe! into the li%r&ry in se&r*h o+ so'e pri&*y to re&! the ne(sp&per. (hi*h h&! &rrie! in

the 'orning '&il" He sho$l! h&e )no(n he (&s too l&te to %e &lone" Eie &n! 6&!y >$li&nn&

&lre&!y (ere t$*)e! into *h&irs ne&r the +ire. their noses presse! *lose to their %oo)s"8r&te+$l they (ere the ;$ietest 'e'%ers o+ the +&'ily. he +o$n! the l&test p&per &n! too)

& se&t %y the (in!o(" In his $s$&l +&shion he %eg&n &t the top &n! re&! eerything printe! on

the p&ge" h&t (&s not $s$&l (&s his in&%ility to re*&ll (h&t he/! ,$st re&!" He repe&te!ly

&!,$ste! the p&ges so he *o$l! gl&n*e &t (here 6&!y >$li&nn& s&t"

More th&n on*e he *&$ght her li+ting her g&5e. &n! (&s &%le to loo) &(&y %e+ore their

eyes 'et" He/! ret$rn to the &rti*le in +ront o+ hi'. only to re&! the s&'e three senten*es

%e+ore gl&n*ing &*ross the roo' on*e 'ore"

This (o$l! not !o" Ho( h&! she %e*o'e s$*h & !istr&*tion9 She h&!n/t spo)en to hi'" In

+&*t. other th&n her stolen gl&n*es in his !ire*tion. he *o$l!n/t %e *ert&in she (&s &(&re o+ his

presen*e" He (&s &ll too &(&re o+ hers"

I+ the (e&ther (ere (&r'er he *o$l! s$ggest & (&l)" #erh&ps & g&'e o+ *&r!s (o$l! !o"Or sho$l! he +in! the t(ins &n! !is*$ss their *h&r&!e +or the T(el+th 4ight +ete9 h&teer he

!e*i!e!. re&!ing the p&per (&sn/t so'ething he (&s presently &%le to !o (ell"

4&sh +ol!e! the p&per r&ther noisily &n! rose" The n$rsery see'e! the per+e*t pl&*e +or

hi' &t the 'o'ent. s$rro$n!e! %y *h&tter &n! s*ree*hes &n! 'yri&! re&sons to not thin) o+

6&!y >$li&nn&"

>$li&nn& (&t*he! Mr" Sin*l&ir le&e the li%r&ry. s'iling &t his no! (hen he p&sse! her

*h&ir" She &l'ost +ollo(e! hi' to en;$ire (here he (&s going. &n! 'ight she *o'e &long"

B$t th&t (&sn/t (ise. or een re'otely proper" It &ppe&re! the 'ore ti'e she spent (ith hi'.een spent thin)ing o+ hi'. the 'ore she ;$estione! her li+e" The sooner she ret$rne! to A$nt

#hillips/ ho$se. the %etter" Right or (rong. her &$nt s$pporte! her $n$s$&l notion to %e*o'e &

(riter" She nee!e! the &++ir'&tion &t the 'o'ent"

$estions &%o$t Mr" Sin*l&ir/s li+e r&n thro$gh >$li&nn&/s tho$ghts $ntil there (&s no

roo' +or &nything else" She sighe!" Eie *ontin$e! to st&re &t her %oo). een &+ter >$li&nn&

set !o(n her o(n" =n&%le to hol! %&*) &ny longer. >$li&nn& s&i!. 7Eie. '&y I &s) yo$

so'ething &%o$t yo$r %rother97

The yo$nger (o'&n %lin)e! &n! set &si!e her %oo)" 7O+ *o$rse" hi*h one97

74&sh" I (&s tol! he (&s in,$re! in %&ttle" &s it & gr&e (o$n!97

Eie +ol!e! her h&n!s in her l&p &n! )ept her eyes !o(n" 7$ite" By the ti'e ne(s

re&*he! $s. he/! %eg$n to re*oer. %$t (e +e&re! (e (ere to lose hi' $ntil (e got +$rtherreports +ro' his %&t'&n"7

7He !oesn/t spe&) &%o$t it"7

74o" 4&sh !oesn/t t&l) &%o$t hi'sel+ &t &ll. %$t 'ost spe*i+i*&lly not the B&ttle o+

To$lo$se. (here he (&s (o$n!e!"7

>$li&nn& *o$l!n/t re*&ll (h&t she/! re&! &%o$t the %&ttle th&t too) pl&*e the p&st spring.

other th&n the gre&t loss o+ li+e" 7He sho$l! %e pro$! to h&e +o$ght in the %&ttle th&t en!e!

the (&r"7

Eie ;$i*)ly loo)e! $p. her eyes so+tening. &n! gl&n*e! &t the !oor %e+ore spe&)ing" 7B$t

yo$ see. 4&poleon h&! &%!i*&te! %e+ore the %&ttle %eg&n" All those 'en !ie! +or nothing"

4&sh/s (o$n!s (ere +or nothing"7

7Are yo$ *ert&in97


23/46

She no!!e!" 7As I s&i!. (e !on/t !is*$ss it. %$t M&'& epl&ine! it to 'e (hen I &s)e!

(hy 4&sh (&s so s&! &ll the ti'e" The D$)e o+ ellington !i!n/t re*eie the ne(s $ntil the

!&y &+ter 4&sh (&s (o$n!e!" O+ *o$rse. the Fren*h !i!n/t )no( o+ his &%!i*&tion either. so

they *ontin$e! to hol! their gro$n!"7

#ressing & h&n! to her 'o$th. >$li&nn& *onsi!ere! this" &s Mr" Sin*l&ir &ngry &t ho( the

(&r h&! en!e!9 B$t he/! +o$ght '&ny %&ttles %y th&t ti'e" S$rely he $n!erstoo! ho( slo(lyne(s tr&ele!" :et ho( '$st he +eel. ne&rly losing his li+e (hen 4&poleon h&! &lre&!y

s$rren!ere!9

7Th&n) yo$ +or telling 'e this. Eie" He is ery &++&%le. yet he see's to h&e so'ething

se*rete! &(&y" &s he &l(&ys th&t (&y97

74ot th&t I re*&ll" I (&s ;$ite yo$ng (hen he le+t $s to ,oin the *&&lry. tho$gh" B$t (hen

he isite!. he see'e! to l&$gh &s '$*h &s the rest o+ $s"7

>$li&nn& s'ile!" She &n! Cle''ie h&! l&$ghe! o+ten (hen they/! pl&ye! in their n$rsery.

%$t (ere epe*te! to sit ;$ietly &n! properly (ith their p&rents" She *o$l!n/t re*&ll the l&st

ti'e she/! he&r! her +&ther l&$gh" 7:o$ '$st h&e h&! & !elight+$l *hil!hoo!"7

7As the yo$ngest. I (&s $s$&lly %l&'e! +or (h&t the others h&! !one" Th&n)+$lly o$r

goerness o%sere! I (&s the st$!io$s one. &n! )ne( (ho %etter to %l&'e"7 Eie/s +&*eglo(e! &s she spo)e" 7B$t I (o$l!n/t *h&nge &ny o+ it. not een +or &ll the %oo)s in 6on!on"

Di! yo$ &n! Cle'entin& get into tro$%le o+ten97

>$li&nn& shoo) her he&!" 7I/' not *ert&in i+ it (&sn/t in o$r n&t$re. or i+ #&p&/s !is&ppro&l

'e&nt th&t '$*h to $s" e (ere so e&ger to ple&se hi'. yet he (&sn/t o+ten gien to pr&ising

o$r e++orts"7

7Ho( s&!" I thin) I sh&ll &l(&ys %e pr&ising 'y *hil!ren" I +e&r I 'ight spoil the' i+ 'y

h$s%&n! is not stern eno$gh to '&)e $p +or 'y light h&n!"7

>$li&nn& toye! (ith & loose *$rl ne&r her e&r" Eie so$n!e! e&ger to %egin her +&'ily &+ter

&ll" &s >$li&nn& tr$ly the o!! one. then9 7Are yo$ loo)ing +or(&r! to yo$r +irst Se&son97

7:es. ery '$*h so" My *o$sin (ill h&e her *o'e o$t then. too" e sh&ll h&e so '$*h

+$n going to the %&lls &n! (&l)ing in Hy!e #&r)" I *&n/t (&it to go %&*) to 8$nther/s +or i*es"

An! M&'& &l(&ys lets 'e p$r*h&se & ne( %oo) or t(o (hen (e/re in 6on!on"7

4ot one 'ention o+ the yo$ng gentle'en to %e 'et" #erh&ps Eie (&s not so $nli)e

>$li&nn& (hen it *&'e to loe" 7h&t o+ the yo$ng s(&ins9 Is there &nyone yo$/re hoping to

'eet. so'e title! lor! yo$/e re&! &%o$t in the p&pers97

Eie tilte! her he&!" 7I h&en/t tho$ght '$*h on it" There (ill %e so '&ny 'en" I/' s$re

to +in! one (ho !oesn/t %ore 'e silly"7

>$li&nn& l&$ghe!" 7Th&t is &ll yo$ re;$ire in & h$s%&n!97

The girl/s *hee)s *olore! %e&$ti+$lly" 7I !on/t )no( (h&t I re;$ire" S$rely I/ll )no( (hen

I 'eet hi'" h&t &%o$t yo$9 hy &re yo$ $n'&rrie!9 Don/t tell 'e it/s %e*&$se yo$ lie

(ith yo$r &$nt &n! *&n/t go to 6on!on" :o$/re pretty eno$gh to +in! & %e&$ (itho$t le&ingyo$r ho'e"7

4o( it (&s >$li&nn&/s t$rn to %l$sh" 7:o$ e&gger&te" B$t I !i! h&e & +e( %e&$ (hen I

(&s in 6on!on" There (&s nothing &%o$t &ny o+ the' th&t stoo! o$t. tho$gh" I *o$l!n/t see

*hoosing one to spen! 'y li+e (ith. (hen &ny o+ the' (o$l! ,$st &s e&sily h&e s$ite!" I *&n

(&l) into the 'o!iste/s &n! +in! one p&ttern th&t st&n!s o$t +ro' the others" S$rely there '$st

%e & '&n I *o$l! +eel the s&'e &%o$t"7

Eie/s eye%ro(s rose &n! & giggle es*&pe! her" 7:o$ *&n/t 'e&n it" :o$ *&n/t *o'p&re

+in!ing & h$s%&n! to %$ying & ne( go(n@7

7I s$ppose I *&n/t" B$t there is 'y point" #erh&ps I/' not 'e&nt to '&rry" I !on/t !re&' o+

h&ing *hil!ren. I !re&' o+ isiting ienn&"7

7:o$ *o$l! go to ienn& on yo$r (e!!ing trip.7 Eie s$ggeste!" 7B$t (h&t (ill yo$ !o(ith the rest o+ yo$r li+e i+ not h&e *hil!ren97


24/46

>$li&nn& h&! hope! Eie. o+ &ll people. (o$l! $n!erst&n!" There '$st tr$ly %e so'ething

l&*)ing in >$li&nn& to not long +or & +&'ily" 7I/' %eginning to &s) 'ysel+ th&t ery thing" I

&l'ost (ish I h&! st&ye! (ith A$nt #hillips" :o$ see. I h&! !e*i!e! neer to '&rry" An! (&s

;$ite *ontent (ith th&t !e*ision"7

A )no(ing light %rightene! Eie/s +&*e" 7Do yo$ 'e&n to s&y yo$ &re !eeloping &n

&tt&*h'ent to 4&sh976e&ning %&*) in her *h&ir. >$li&nn& *lose! her eyes" 7I &' not &t &ll *ert&in (h&t I 'e&n"7

Re&*hing the %otto' o+ the st&ir*&se. 4&sh slo(e! to & 'ore respe*t&%le p&*e &n! (&l)e!

!o(n the h&ll to the !r&(ing roo' (here eeryone g&there! %e+ore !inner" He (&s ;$ite

ple&se! (ith his &+ternoon spent in the n$rsery" Fr&n) &n! Eerett (ere %eyon! en*h&nte!

(ith the i!e& he propose! to the' +or the T(el+th 4ight entert&in'ent" All he/! h&! to !o (&s

!ispl&y the toy s(or!s to g&in the %oys/ &ttention"

eeping their interest (&s &nother story. %$t (h&t they (o$l! l&*) in polish. they/! 'ore

th&n '&)e $p +or in enth$si&s'" 4&sh (o$l! pr&*ti*e (ith the' e&*h !&y &n! hope they

(o$l!n/t +orget &ll (hen they stoo! in +ront o+ & *ro(!e! roo'" His 'other &n! their g$ests

(o$l! en,oy the res$lt no '&tter ho( it t$rne! o$t"

4&sh h&!n/t re&li5e! ho( long he/! t&)en in *h&nging +or !inner $ntil he s&( eeryone

else h&! &lre&!y *o'e %elo( st&irs" One *o$l! $s$&lly *o$nt on & sister or t(o to %e the l&st

to &rrie" 4o one *o''ente! on his t&r!iness. so he lo*&te! 8eo++" 7Di! Mother tell yo$ I/'

helping the t(ins (ith &n entert&in'ent +or the p&rty97

7She !i!" h&teer !i! she thre&ten to g&in yo$r &ssist&n*e97

7o$l! yo$ %eliee I ol$nteere!9 An! I (&sn/t een +oe!" I *&n/t s&y I/' *ert&in (h&t/s

*o'e oer 'e sin*e I ret$rne! ho'e"7

7:o$ *&n/t9 I *o$l! ent$re & g$ess"7 8eo++ le&ne! %&*) %rie+ly. giing 4&sh & *le&r ie(

o+ 6&!y >$li&nn& sitting (ith her sister"7Don/t %e &%s$r!" I+ I (ishe! to '&rry. I/! %e %etter o++ *hoosing & yo$ng l&!y (ho (&s

&lso loo)ing to '&rry"7 Or so he/! %een telling hi'sel+ ho$rly"

7I+ '&rri&ge is yo$r intent. I h&e no o%,e*tion" I 'ight een %e *onin*e! to &ssist yo$r

s$it"7

4&sh r&ise! & %ro( &t his ol!er %rother" 7:o$ thin) 'e in*&p&%le o+ (inning her on 'y

o(n97

8eo++ grinne!" 7>$st &s I s$spe*te!" :o$ *&n/t hi!e &nything +ro' 'e" Een Mother h&s

'entione! yo$ t(o h&e %een seen (&l)ing together" I+ yo$ &ren/t *&re+$l. 6or! C&rrington

(ill *&ll yo$ o$t"7

7For spe&)ing to her in p&ssing (hen I !is*oer her in the p&r)9 Don/t '&)e 'e l&$gh" I+

I h&! !one &nything $nto(&r!. yo$ &n! F&ther (o$l! h&e *&lle! 'e on it !&ys &go"7hen !inner (&s &nno$n*e!. 4&sh t$rne! to +ollo( the others" 8eo++ stoppe! hi' (ith &

so+t re;$est" 7I only &s) th&t yo$ %e s$re o+ yo$r he&rt %e+ore yo$ inole hers"7

4&sh *onsi!ere! the re;$est" He/! %een &!ising hi'sel+ the s&'e thing" All he )ne( (&s

eery 'o'ent spent t&l)ing to her le! to ho$rs spent thin)ing &%o$t her"

As l$*) (o$l! h&e it. he (&s se&te! %esi!e her &t the t&%le" A+ter listening to the

*oners&tions &ro$n! hi'. 4&sh le&ne! *loser to 6&!y >$li&nn&" 7I (on!er i+ yo$/e

*onsi!ere! the !i++i*$lties yo$ 'ight +in! (hen '&rrie! to the '&n yo$ see)"7

She !&%%e! her 'o$th (ith & n&p)in %e+ore spe&)ing (ith & ple&s&nt epression" 7I/e

tho$ght o+ little else" S$*h &s. (ill his &let *ontin$e to polish his &r'or. or (ill th&t t&s) %e

gien to 'e97

7:es. th&t (o$l! %e i'port&nt to )no(" As (o$l!. !oes he sleep in his *h&in '&il9774o( yo$/re %eing silly. Mr" Sin*l&ir" h&t sort o+ '&n (o$l! sleep in *h&in '&il97


25/46

7I &!'it. I )no( o+ +e( 'en (ho een o(n the s$its" It (o$l! t&)e the &ppe&r&n*e o+

Br$''ell in s$*h *ost$'e to %ring the style %&*)"7

Fro' the *orner o+ his eye. 4&sh s&( her s'ile gro(" She ;$i*)ly hi! it %ehin! her gl&ss

&s she sippe!" 7I pre+er gentle'en (ho &ren/t *re&tors o+ +&shion" One (ho )no(s (h&t is

&ppropri&te to (e&r to &rio$s o**&sions"7

7I see" I sh&ll &!! th&t to 'y list"76&!y >$li&nn& too) & slo( spoon+$l o+ her so$p" 7:o$r list97

7I+ I/' to +in! yo$r i!e&l h$s%&n!. I '$st )no( (h&t ;$&lities yo$ +in! !esir&%le" Beyon!

his propensity +or st&l)ing reptiles"7

7Oh yes. o+ *o$rse" ell then. let 'e thin) on it" I sho$l! li)e hi' to %e t&ll. ple&se"7

>$li&nn& see'e! intent on her 'e&l. *ontin$ing to e&t gr&*e+$lly. $n&(&re o+ the '&ny

*oners&tions &ro$n! the'" He/! %&rely t&ste! his o(n +oo!. &ltho$gh he/! e&ten plenty

,$!ging +ro' the n$'%er o+ ti'es he/! li+te! his +or) to his 'o$th" Ho( !i! one &**o'plish

&nything (hen one/s 'in! t$rne! to porri!ge9 I+ 6&!y >$li&nn& &gree! to %e*o'e his (i+e.

(o$l! he %e &%le to ret$rn to his nor'&l ro$tine9

I+ she t$rne! hi' !o(n. (o$l! he %e &%le to sh$t the !oor on his tho$ghts9

A +oot'&n set & pl&te o+ 'e&ts in +ront o+ 4&sh" He st&re! &t it %e+ore re&*hing +or his+or)" 7I (on!er i+ *oo) h&s & re*ipe +or ro&st !r&gon loin"7

6&!y >$li&nn& *o$ghe! &n! %ro$ght her n&p)in to her lips" hen her %re&thing ret$rne!

to nor'&l. she spo)e so+tly" 7I sho$l! thin) the 'e&t (o$l! %e %etter ste(e!"7

7Dr&gon +ri*&ssee" Or & r&go$t. (h&t !o yo$ thin)97

7The +ri*&ssee gr&y (o$l! pro%&%ly !o %etter &t !isg$ising the g&'ey t&ste"7

4&sh stro)e! his *hin" 7I (on!er (h&t the &er&ge &ge is o+ the !r&gons yo$r gentle'&n

h&s )ille!" He '$st h&e & ery l&rge s'o)eho$se" Or !o yo$ s$ppose he is the genero$s sort

&n! sh&res his h$nt (ith his ten&nts97

7O+ *o$rse he is genero$s" I (o$l!n/t *onsort (ith &ny other type"7

A+ter *he(ing & +e( %ites o+ (h&t he (&s +&irly *ert&in (&s por). he h&! & tho$ght" 7Do

yo$ s$ppose his ten&nts re'&in long on his l&n!9 h&t (ith his generosity. o+ *o$rse" As his

(i+e. yo$/! %e re;$ire! to e&t (h&t he proi!e! &n! %e h&ppy +or it" B$t the ten&nts too) no

s$*h o( o+ o%e!ien*e"7

A so$n! ery *lose to & snigger *&'e +ro' 6&!y >$li&nn&. (ho ;$i*)ly re&*he! +or her

n&p)in" 7Th&t is so'ething I h&!n/t *onsi!ere!" #erh&ps 'y )night is %o$n! to ren!er &ll his

g&'e to the )ing" e '$st r&ise o$r o(n pigs &n! %eees to +ee! o$r +&'ily"7

They *ontin$e! their silly t&l) thro$gh !essert" His 'other/s oi*e interr$pte! their

i'&ginings &n! 4&sh re&li5e! it (&s ti'e +or the l&!ies to retire to the !r&(ing roo'" He

;$i*)ly stoo! &n! helpe! 6&!y >$li&nn& +ro' her *h&ir" He *o$l!n/t re*&ll & 'ore en,oy&%le

'e&l sin*e the !&ys o+ e&ting (ith his %rothers &n! sisters in the n$rsery"


26/46

Chapter Six

ishing to spen! ti'e (ith her n&'es&)e nie*e. >$li&nn& '&!e her (&y to the n$rsery

&+ter %re&)+&st. stopping %y her roo' to pi*) $p & %oo)" She noti*e! & sheet o+ p&per on the

t&%le %esi!e the *h&ir" O%io$sly & *hil!/s !r&(ing. the s)et*h (&s & r&ther !et&ile! !epi*tion

o+ & !r&gon in +light" Fl&'es shot +ro' the open 'o$th"She h&! no ;$estion &s to (ho h&! pl&*e! the !r&(ing in her roo'"

She set the p&per !o(n &n! h$rrie! to the n$rsery. not (&nting to thin) &%o$t (hy Mr"

Sin*l&ir (o$l! gie her s$*h & gi+t. nor the i'pli*&tion giing gi+ts i'plie!" &s he *o$rting

her9

6ittle >$lie *&'e r$nning into her &r's (hen she entere! the roo'" >$li&nn&/s he&rt +ille!

(ith ,oy &t the tiny &r's stret*hing to re&*h &ro$n! her" 7:o$ pl&y (ith 'e97 her nie*e &s)e!"

7Ho( *o$l! I not9 I '$st '&)e $p +or &ll the 'onths I h&e to %e &(&y +ro' yo$"7

7hy *&n/t yo$ lie (ith 'e &n! M&'& &n! #&p&9 :o$ '&y sh&re 'y %e!"7

7M&y I sleep there (hen I isit9 A$nt #hillips (o$l! %e ery s&! i+ I !i!n/t ret$rn ho'e

soon" She lies &ll &lone"7

6ittle >$lie str$ggle! to +ree hersel+ &n! too) >$li&nn&/s h&n!" 7Co'e re&! to 'e"7Follo(ing her nie*e. >$li&nn& *hose & %oo) +ro' the shel+ &n! *$rle! into the (in!o(

se&t (ith the little girl %esi!e her" She t$rne! to the l&st p&ge she/! re&! &n! %eg&n to re*ite"

A+ter & +e( p&ges she re&li5e! the roo' (&s $n$s$&lly ;$iet +or 'orning" 8l&n*ing &%o$t.

she noti*e! the ol!er *hil!ren (ere 'issing" She &s)e! the goerness (here they (ere"

7They/e gone o++ (ith their $n*le. 'y l&!y"7

hi*h o+ the gentle'en h&! t&)en the' &(&y9 An! (hy !i! she *&re9 As '$*h &s she

en,oye! e&*h &n! eery *hil!. she spent little *on*ern on ho( they (ere entert&ine! e&*h !&y"

There (ere si'ply too '&ny to )eep tr&*) o+" The poor yo$ng (o'&n gien their *h&rge

!esere! &n etr& 'onth/s p&y +or the n$'%er o+ *hil!ren in her *&re !$ring this isit"

Cle''ie/s n$rse'&i! h&! her h&n!s +ille! (ith E!(&r!. &n! >$li&nn& (&sn/t ;$ite s$re (hy

Mr" #eter Sin*l&ir/s goerness (&s not present" B$t it (&s none o+ >$li&nn&/s *on*ern"

A%o$t the ti'e she %eg&n to noti*e the *hill o+ sitting %y the (in!o(. the n$rsery !oor

opene! &n! the si ol!er *hil!ren r$she! in. s*re&'ing &n! %o$n*ing in their e*ite'ent"

6ittle >$lie. (hose he&! (&s resting on >$li&nn&/s sho$l!er. s&t $p. s$!!enly 'ore &(&)e" 7I

pl&y (ith Fr&n)ie no("7

>$li&nn& s'ile!. (on!ering ho( the (il! %oy +elt &%o$t his *o$sin (&nting to +ollo( hi'

&ro$n!" 78o &he&!"7

Fr&n) (&e! & (oo!en s(or! in the &ir" 7I/' C&pt&in Sin*l&ir" 8ie $p yo$r &r's@7

Mr" Sin*l&ir (&l)e! $p %ehin! the %oy &n! pl&*e! & h&n! on his sho$l!er" 74ot in +ront o+

the little ones. 'y %oy" :o$/ll gie the' & +right"7

&s Mr" Sin*l&ir/s r&n) th&t o+ *&pt&in9 Ho( li)e hi' to not $se his r&n) no( th&t he/!le+t the &r'y" As the t(o ol!est %oys r&n o++ to +in! so'ething. she spo)e to their $n*le" 7:o$

!i!n/t )eep the' o$tsi!e long eno$gh" They *&n still r$n"7

He *h$*)le!" 7I %eliee I $n!erst&n! (hy the 6or! gies $s %&%es to pr&*ti*e on" 4ine-

ye&r-ol! %oys re;$ire &ll-together too '$*h energy"7

7I !is*oere! the !r&(ing in 'y roo' this 'orning" I &ss$'e yo$ p$t it there97

Mr" Sin*l&ir (&l)e! $p %esi!e her" 78$ilty &s *h&rge!" I tho$ght it 'ight )eep yo$r Mr"

#$l) in 'in!"7

7:o$/re &+r&i! I 'ight +orget hi'97

74o. no" I 'erely (ish yo$/ll %e *ert&in (h&t it is &%o$t hi' yo$ &!'ire" H&e yo$ %een

o$t in the p&r) &t &ll to!&y9 There/s & %it o+ (&r'th no( th&t the *lo$!s h&e *le&re!"7

7I

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A Bride for Christmas Regency Novella