Babe Read Free

she had her hair dressed, she said, “Braid it, please, Harper. I’ll wear it up in braids today.”
    This was the most time-consuming coiffure she used. It was usually the style chosen for riding or rough outings, where her other do’s were likely to come unhinged. Her hair was widely praised, but this fine straight hair was also a nuisance. The reason she asked for braids today had nothing to do with riding; she did it to force herself to stay abovestairs. While Harper worked on her hair, brushing it out, Barbara leaned towards the mirror, smoothing a concealing cream on the circles under her eyes.
    Why should she satisfy him to think she was chasing after him? He had thought it two years ago—conceited oaf. He had expected her to run after him and beg forgiveness after that foolish incident at Richmond Park, when she was supposed to meet him, but had gone off to another party instead, and had a delightful time too. Much she cared if he pokered up that evening at the ball, and pretended not to see her. She had caught him looking at her a dozen times. He had not honored her with any gallantry after that. It was odd how vivid the memory was still, and she had left plenty of men waiting since!
    “Hurry up, Harper. Never mind the braids. Just pin it up quickly.”
    Harper was a wizard, and a swift one too, but when Lady Barbara glided down the stairs five minutes later, she found her cousin Fannie sitting alone, looking nervous.
    “Babe, the most astonishing thing,” she said, “what Clivedon has proposed.”
    “Proposed! You can’t mean it!” Barbara exclaimed, and could actually feel her cheeks blanch. Her heart was fluttering fiercely. She didn’t know whether she was frightened or thrilled, but she knew she was deeply affected. “What did you tell him?” she asked, walking quickly forward.
    “Why I didn’t tell him anything, till I have discussed it with you, to find out what you think of having him for your guardian. After I marry Bagstorff and go to Austria, you know. You have said you dislike the thought of going with us, and we plan to stay for a year. I rather thought Lady Withers—”
    “Guardian!” Barbara asked, blinking. “Guardian! Is that all? How should he be my guardian?”
    “Why, outside of old Manfred, he is your closest relative in England, my pet, and such good ton. He means to put you up with his sister, I expect.”
    The matter was discussed for an hour, where a variety of emotions washed over Lady Barbara, none of them quite so powerful as that first wave of shock. She considered the matter coolly. She really did not want to tag along on Fannie’s honeymoon, but still, it hurt to see how clear it was that Fannie didn’t want it either. “It might be better, as it will get you away from Gentz, and you have said often enough you don’t mean to have him,” Fannie mentioned, more than once. It was more usual for her to urge a match with Gentz.
    There were other excuses too. “Clivedon is excellent ton,” was often heard. Much Fannie cared about ton! “You always seemed to like Lady Withers very well, and really, she is not a prude, like the Harrows. I will not consign you to the Harrows again
    After considerable talk, Babe agreed.
    “Very well,” she said, in a voice more cheerful than mere resignation. She had some hope for pleasure in the scheme. Clivedon was a broad-minded gentleman, who would not expect her to act any differently than she did now. He was certainly no prude—quite the contrary. And she liked Lady Withers. It would do, she supposed. She wondered where the idea had come from. Fannie, she thought, had been as surprised as herself.
    The exchange of guardians was hastily arranged, with all parties in agreement. After two visits from solicitors and three from accountants, Lord Clivedon stood in custody of Lady Barbara and her fortune till her twenty-fifth birthday, two years away. She expected every hour he would call to discuss it with her. Two mornings she