Lord Darlington's Darling Read Free

glint in his eyes. “She won’t, any more than she has ever listened to anyone.”
    Lady Darlington gently pointed out the obvious. “Lady Bethany listens to you, just as all of the other children do.”
    Lord Darlington gave a short laugh. “Yes, in the end I have always had my way, haven’t I?”
    Lady Darlington was quick to sense a faint note of bitterness in his voice. “My dear! I am positive none of them sees you as an ogre or—or anything equally unpleasant,” she said quickly.
    “No, I stand in the unenviable position of being a surrogate father,” said Lord Darlington harshly.
    “And you have done very well by them all,” said Lady Darlington stoutly.
    “Thank you, Mama.” He appreciated his mother’s support, but it was not easily borne that his siblings stood in such awe of him. The gulf had widened over the years until it seemed unbridgeable. He was aware that none of his brothers or sisters regarded him with the same simple affection with which they regarded each other.
    The faintest of smiles touched his face as he thought about his youn gest sister. Lady Bethany was stubborn to a fault. Perhaps in this one instance that awe would work to advantage.
    Lord Darlington made a swift decision. T he mere suggestion of leaving for London caused in him a spurt of exhilaration, even if the object behind the removal to town was bound up in duty and his sister’s best interests . “Very well, Mama. London it is.”
    “Sylvan! Can you not be serious for one moment?” exclaimed Lady Darlington.
    “I am utterly serious, Mama.” There was a light in Lord Darlington’s eyes which hadn’t been there before. He gestured at his face. “Perceive that I have put on my gravest expression. The estate can stand the nonsense, if that is what concerns you. If you truly believe this is the best course to put an end to Bethany’s fascination with this fortune hunter, then by all means let us go to London!”
    “Dearest! I’m so grateful to you, Sylvan. You have never disappointed me, ever!”
    Lady Darlington stood up and kissed her son’s cheek. “I shall leave you now, for I know there is much for you to do if we are to go up to London. And I have a great deal to do, too. Sybil must go stay with your aunt, which she shan’t mind in the least, considering she will then be only ten miles from her ‘dear Charles,’ as she calls her betrothed.” The dowager paused and looked anxious again. “Do you think I might have a seamstress in, Sylvan? A new gown or two would help ease our ward robes a bit.”
    “Of course you may, Mama. I have never yet stinted in clothing for you or my siblings, have I?” asked Lord Darlington with a hint of impatience.
    “Of course you haven’t! It is just that I know how expensive a Season shall be, and I don’t wish to—”
    Lord Darlington gently took his mother’s hand and es corted her to the door, repeating his reassurances. “I have matters well in hand, Mama. You may rest easy. I shall not allow us to run the bustle too hard.”
    “You are such a comfort, Sylvan,” said Lady Dar lington as she parted from him.
    Lord Darlington waited, his hand resting on the doorknob, and watched until his mother was well on her way upstairs. Then he signaled a footman who was on duty in the hall. When the servant came over to him, he said quietly, “Pray convey my compliments to Lady Bethany and request her to join me here in my study. And bring in the tea.”
    “Yes, my lord.” The footman hurried away to carry out his orders .
    Lord Darlington stepped back into his study, a frown creasing his dark gold brows.

Chapter Two
     
    A few minutes later there was a knock on the panels of the study door. When Lord Darlington called permission, the door opened and a young damsel en tered. She paused in the doorway, one slender hand still on the brass knob, while her intelligent hazel eyes met her brother’s in a direct gaze. “You wished to see me, Sylvan?”
    “Yes, pray come