Old Acquaintances: Christmas Regency Tale (Regency Tales Book 2) Read Free Page A

clearing her throat. When Cecily turned her head away to glance out of the carriage window, where the day could be seen as fast growing dim, Judith studied her profile with a mixture of astonishment and bewildered estimation. She was fast coming to realize that Cecily Brown was not an ordinary miss. Cecily presented the appearance of a schoolgirl, naïve and trusting, and yet Judith had seen depths of character and experience that belonged to someone several years older.
    Her determination not to fall in with her guardian’s wishes was perhaps nothing much out of the common way, but coupled as it was to her ability to act upon her decisions made Cecily unusual indeed, thought Judith, remembering a young girl who had not had the same courage of her convictions. As for Cecily’s casual reference to her father’s peccadillo and her acceptance of it, Judith thought she was never more shocked in her life. She herself had known nothing of the opposite sex until her engagement. Her cheeks flushed warmly at her unbidden memories and she hastily returned her thoughts to Cecily.
    Despite herself and knowing that she should not become involved more than she already was, Judith turned over in her mind what Cecily had said of her situation. There had to be something she could do to aid the girl in establishing herself happily. Judith felt that she must make some sort of effort in Cecily’s behalf, or she would always wonder what had happened to the girl.
    The carriage slowed and stopped. Judith put down the window as her coachman came up to it. Snow swirled briefly with a gust of cold wind. “What is toward, Edward?” she asked.
    “We have come to the posting house, miss,” said the coachman. He threw a look at the dusk sky. “I mislike the weather, Miss Judith. The wind is sharpening a bit and the snow is heavier.”
    Judith made a quick decision. “I shall step down with Miss Brown for a quick cup of tea while you report the accident to the innkeeper, Edward. Then we shall go on as quickly as possible to reach Elmswood before nightfall.”
    She and Cecily walked into the inn. The innkeeper’s wife recognized Judith and she expressed surprise to see her. “Miss Grantham, it is a pleasure, I am sure. It is that rare that you honor us with your company, what with Elmswood so close and all. What may I do for you?”
    Judith looked about the coffee room, which was nearly deserted at that hour, and decided against bespeaking a private parlor. “I think that we shall have a strong cup of tea, and perhaps a light repast for my young friend.”
    Cecily looked alarmed. “Really, I do not wish supper. I feel as though I could not swallow a bite. It is rather warm in here, is it not?”
    Judith stared at her, frowning. The coffee room was warmed by the fire in the grate, but it was not so warm that Cecily should become flushed by the heat. She hoped the girl was not becoming ill. “We shall have just the tea, then.”
    “Certainly, miss. It is shaping up to be a bad storm tonight. I know that you ladies will be wishful to get on to Elmswood, so I will bring the tea straight away,” said the innkeeper’s wife.
    “Oh, but I shall not be going with Miss Grantham. I wish to bespeak a room for the night so that I may catch the mail coach in the morning,” said Cecily.
    The innkeeper’s wife looked at her in dismay. “I am sorry, miss, but we haven’t a room to spare. What with the weather and all, we’ve had more than our share of travelers who have decided to stay until first light. If you was a gentleman, I might see if there was someone who would not mind sharing his room with a stranger. But as it is, I haven’t even a closet for a decent young lady.”
    Cecily stared at the woman, speechless. She did not seem to know what to do. Judith took matters into her own hands. “My dear child, you must certainly come home with me.”
    “But I cannot impose on you further, Miss Grantham. You have already been so kind,” said