Joan Smith Read Free Page B

in London, of course, but he will want to be here from time to time to keep an eye on the estate.”
    “I see,” Jane replied. It was not her understanding of Nick’s plans, but naturally his fiancée would know.
    “How did you come to meet Nick?” Jane asked a little later.
    “It was the most romantic thing!” Miss Aurelia said, glowing in pleasure. “It happened while I was shopping. I was just coming out of Miss Lanctot’s— the milliner, you know. She has the best bonnets in London. I twisted my ankle, and who should be coming along to help me but Nick! He bustled me straight into his carriage and drove me home to my sister’s, for I could not walk after giving my ankle such a wrench. He called Dr. Knighton—he is the Prince Regent’s doctor—and stayed for dinner. Nick, I mean, not Knighton. That evening we went out dancing—and two weeks later, we were engaged. Is it not romantic, Miss Ramsey?”
    “Just like a fairy tale,” Jane agreed. But she had to wonder how that wrenched ankle had recovered so quickly.
    “Is there much to do hereabouts?” was Miss Aurelia’s next speech.
    “The riding is good, though not so comfortable in winter, of course. There is a local hunt club. We have a good circulating library.”
    “That is nice. Nick tells me I must take up riding. And what about assemblies and routs?”
    “Oh, that. There is a monthly assembly in Amberley.”
    “Monthly! But what do you do all the other nights? I did not expect theaters or the opera in the country, but there must be private parties.”
    “Yes indeed. We visit ten or twelve families.”
    Miss Aurelia sighed. “Ah well, I have my wedding plans to keep me busy.” She glanced around the room, from the fading draperies to the well-worn carpets. “There is a deal to be done about the house as well, I see,” she added. “I am happy that I have met you, Miss Ramsey. I daresay you are shocked that Nick is marrying me. I do not pretend to be at home in noble company. I know I have a great deal to learn, but I learn quickly. You are an older lady; you must always tell me if I am making a fool of myself.”
    “I am sure you will not do that,” Jane said. She was touched at the girl’s frankness, and her appeal for help, despite that reference to her being “an older lady.” “I expect you will find it is yourself who is looked to to set the style. You certainly put us all to the blush in matters of toilette.”
    Miss Aurelia blushed. “Thank you. I had no notion how to dress when I went to London. Marie— Mrs. Huddleston—said I looked a perfect quiz in my round bonnet when I arrived at Grosvenor Square. She took me to her modiste—French, of course. I brought my finest gowns with me, so that I would do Nick proud.” She lowered her eyelids and said in her high, childish voice, “I do love him very much.”
    “I am sure you do.”
    “Ah, here he is now,” Miss Aurelia said as he entered the room. “Are your ears burning, sir?” she asked playfully. “We have just been talking about you.”
    “Don’t believe a word Jane says,” he said, smiling fondly from one to the other. “I wager she told you I boxed her ears when she was in short skirts, but she forgot to tell you she put a burr under my mount’s saddle and nearly got me killed.”
    “She did not tell me that. I see I have a great deal to learn about my mari. ‘Boxed her ears’ indeed, and here I have been taking you for a gentleman.”
    “A colonel and a gentleman,” he said, bowing and taking a seat beside her.
    Miss Townsend dropped her playful mood. “How is your uncle?” she asked.
    “He has deteriorated sharply since I last saw him. We had a short game of soldiers. I let him beat me.”
    “And his health?” she asked.
    “He seems in good enough health and spirits, I am happy to say.”
    As Lady Elizabeth and Mrs. Lipton returned to the group at that point, Jane missed the look of disappointment that seized Aurelia’s face. Lady Elizabeth