A Scandalous Secret Read Free Page A

cravat best becomes him.’ Her sister treated her to a glance so censorious that it provoked a reluctant smile. ‘Do not fret yourself, Dorrie. He is not late at all. In fact, if you will consult that enormous clock above the mantel, you will find that it is we who are early.’
    ‘So we are. How vexatious!’
    ‘You had hoped to be late, then?’
    ‘Punctuality is so - so outré - nowadays. I hope my guest will not consider me hopelessly provincial.’
    ‘I believe it is perfectly acceptable for a hostess. If you like, though, you can always explain to Oswald when he arrives that you only just entered the room yourself.’
    Dorinda frowned. ‘Had I realized the time, I would not have left Selina so quickly.’
    ‘How is Selina getting on?’ Elizabeth asked, sobering at once.
    Dorinda informed her that her niece was resting fairly comfortably, and that her fever was not pronounced. She was anxious, naturally - but not excessively so.
    Elizabeth nodded, reasonably satisfied. ‘I only wish Alastair were here.’ She looked pointedly at Dorinda. ‘Even Oswald will have his hands full entertaining two ladies.’
    ‘Oh, good heavens!’ Dorinda exclaimed, placing a delicate palm against her forehead in apparent consternation. ‘I quite forgot to inform you that we shall have another guest with us this evening.’
    Elizabeth’s brows rose in surprise. ‘Alas,’ she said, ‘your memory was never the best. I assume our guest is of the masculine gender. Have you persuaded the vicar to attend us in Alastair’s stead?’
    Lady Barrowe seated herself upon the sofa and motioned her sister to do the same. ‘Now, that would be shabby treatment on your first evening here,’ she said, grinning mischievously. ‘It is far better than the vicar.’
    ‘From your tone, I expect no less than the Prince Regent himself.’
    ‘It is none other than the new owner of Lammerton Hall!’
    ‘Indeed,’ Elizabeth answered, her curiosity aroused. ‘I noticed as we drove past today that someone had restored the Hall. But come, tell me about your new neighbour before he arrives. What sort of man is he?’
    Dorinda drew closer, the better to divulge her confidences. ‘My dear, he is the answer to a scandalmonger’s prayer. A London merchant, fabulously - even, one might say, disgustingly - wealthy. Every unmarried female in the country is setting her cap at him.’
    ‘How deliciously vulgar!’ Elizabeth was instantly diverted. ‘But is it possible that such a man can still be single?’
    ‘Not only single,’ Dorinda said, warming to her theme, ‘but quite young as well. I should be astonished if he is a day more than three-and-thirty. And he is the most amazingly handsome man.’
    Elizabeth chuckled softly. ‘What? Have I not one but two paragons of masculinity to contend with tonight? But,’ she said, turning a quizzing look upon Dorinda, ‘did you not say he was a merchant? Can such a common fellow compare to the divine Oswald?’
    ‘You do not deceive me with your innocent airs, Lizzy,’ Dorinda said repressively. ‘I know when I am being roasted.’
    ‘Forgive me.’ Elizabeth was only mildly contrite. ‘Tell me more about this cit of yours.’
    ‘I own that when we first learned that our new neighbour had made his fortune from trade, we were not best pleased,’ Dorinda confessed, with charmingly unconscious condescension. ‘But we very soon changed our minds. He is a most worthy man, and I really think that there are a number of eligible girls hereabouts who would be very fortunate indeed to attach such a man - although I have not yet seen him display a decided partiality for any of them.’
    ‘Poor man.’ Elizabeth shook her head sadly. ‘I see that he is to be yet another sacrifice on the altar of your matchmaking schemes. Is he proving a reluctant victim?’
    Dorinda preserved a dignified countenance. ‘I will not be drawn, Lizzy,however much you bait me. I see no reason why I should not... guideMr Markham