Curricle & Chaise Read Free Page B

last at Abdale. They are very pretty. But tell me, Julia – is it not somewhat dull at times to live all alone here in the country? You are a long way from town, are you not? Having been used to living in Bradbury, with its shops and neighbours to call upon, I cannot imagine what you contrive to do with yourself all day.’
    Julia was quick to correct her.
    ‘You are quite mistaken, cousin, if you think Abdale dull. We have quite a large society hereabouts, actually – indeed, I was dining with our near neighbours the Churchmans only this week – and being so close to the main turnpike we are quite able to reach Uxbridge within a couple of hours, when the weather is not too bad.’
    The suggestion that a four-hour round trip to the nearest major town represented a convenient proximity came as a somewhat novel revelation to a young lady who had grown up accustomed to a five-minute walk into Bradbury. Lydia grimly remembered her recent trip to Abdale from Uxbridge, where she had reste d a little whilst awaiting her u ncle’s carriage. It had scarcely been what she would describe as a pleasant journey. However, she wisely kept these thoughts to herself and merely acknowledged her imperfect recollection of the convenience which Abdale House enjoyed.
    ‘Of course you are. I stand corrected,’ she said.
    The truth be told, Julia regarded her eldest cousin with very mixed feelings. On the one hand she welcomed the companionship that her cousin would bring , for, despite her assertion to the contrary, there was in fact a distinct shortage of young females in the district held suitable (by her mama) to become Miss Abdale’s intimate friend. On the other hand she had been made well aware of Lydia’s diminished status, of her having no fortune of her own and being utterly dependent upon the good offices of her closest relations. She therefore felt it incumbent upon herself to maintain an air of superiority as best as she could.
    ‘But tell me, cousin,’ she demanded, turning her wide eyes upon Lydia enquiringly. ‘Are you not thoroughly miserable now that you have no prospects of your own? I could not abide the thought of reaching my twenty first year and finding myself without a penny to my name.’
    A twinkle appeared in Lydia’s eyes.
    ‘It is certainly unfortunate. I do not recommend the situation, to be sure. My needs are modest, however, and I am persuaded that I shall get by quite well.’
    ‘Yet I cannot conceive how you shall manage. I have £6000 of my own. Had I only a very little more mama is convinced that I should marry an earl, if I chose – however,’ (blushing) ‘I am not concerned about that. But you, cousin – you are not to be married, I feel sure. I had rather not be you than anybody.’
    ‘So it is just as well that you are not. Yet maybe I shall still find a husband who cares for me more than for the money I have not got.’
    ‘As for that I doubt you will be so lucky, though you are quite handsome. Not but that mama may take you up for the Season with me next year – though, of course, being in mourning you may not dance, so it wouldn’t be much fun.’
    ‘I shall be out of mourning in a week or so now , cousin,’ smiled Lydia, thinking privately tha t, on balance, the prospect of a unt Abdale allowing her a stay in London was only marginally higher than that of her finding a rich earl for herself. ‘I daresay my mama would have wanted me to dance.’
    Lydia’s self possession had long been admired by Julia, whose puppy expression gradually increased as their conversation progressed. Every so often, however, she remembered herself again and (much to Lydia’s private amusement) instantly returned to being Miss Abdale, of Abdale House, with £6000 to her name.
    It was a cold but fine morning and Lydia, keen to avoid her aunt if she could, proposed that her cousin should accompany her on a walk.
    ‘After all,’ she pointed out, as Julia looked doubtful, ‘your papa has introduced so