The Bachelor Trap Read Free Page A

long, however, before Cousin Morley took possession of that, too. He wanted it for his mother-in-law, who had outstayed her welcome at the Hall. They each had a small annuity from their father’s estate, he pointed out. That should do them.
    It seemed wrong to her that someone’s tragic misfortune should be the saving of her little family.
    Hamilton stirred. “So, when the Season is over, you’re off to Longbury to start a new life?”
    â€œThat’s the plan,” answered Marion.
    â€œWhat was wrong with the old life?”
    Marion jumped in before Emily could open her mouth. One had to be careful about what one said in front of Brand Hamilton. He was a newspaperman and had the knack of making people say more than they wanted to.
    â€œYou know how it is,” she said. “It passed away when my father died. Cousin Morley and his wife took over our home. It made things…awkward.”
    â€œAll the same,” he said, “you’re bound to miss your friends. The Lake District covers a wide area. You could sell Edwina’s cottage and set yourself up nicely in one of the scenic villages close to Keswick. That way, you could avoid Cousin Morley and keep up with your friends.”
    â€œLongbury has its own beauty,” replied Marion, “and I’m sure we’ll make new friends there.” It sounded as though he didn’t want her to go to Longbury.
    â€œOh? You remember the village, do you? And the woods and the downs?”
    They’d had this conversation before, and his persistence in trying to jog her memory puzzled her. “Of course, but only vaguely. As I told you, I was only a child when my mother and I visited Longbury.” The holiday was an attempt, she supposed, at a reconciliation between Edwina and Mama, but it hadn’t worked. “But should we decide that it doesn’t suit, or we start pining for the Lake District, we may take your advice.”
    â€œMarion, no!” interjected Emily. “Keswick is so isolated; Longbury is close to London.” Suddenly moderating her tone, as though remembering her advanced years, she went on, “There is so much to do in London. You’ve said so yourself. And what about Cousin Fanny? We promised to be here over Christmas.”
    Marion flashed her sister an affectionate smile. An eighteen-year-old girl could be forgiven for lusting after the glamour of life in town with its round of parties and balls, especially when there had been little to celebrate in the last few years. It seemed that they were hardly out of their mourning clothes when they were in them again. There had been no parties, no outings of any note, no laughter, and no joy. Cousin Fanny’s invitation to take in the Season before going on to Longbury could not be resisted. Her sisters deserved a little excitement in their lives and something to look forward to.
    Marion was aware that Hamilton thought she spoiled Emily, but she didn’t care what he thought. He could not guess how harrowing these last few years had been, and she didn’t want him to know. For one thing, she didn’t know him that well, and for another, people who wallowed in their misfortunes soon found themselves without any friends. Her sisters had learned to smile again. That was what mattered.
    She forced herself to forget the dull throb in her toes and find a convincing explanation for her desire to start a new life. “Family is important to us, Mr. Hamilton, and Cousin Fanny is the only family we have left now. We want to be close to each other. The Lake District is so far away that we’ve seen each other only once in the last ten years.”
    He inclined his head as though he understood. A moment passed and he observed idly, “I remember Edwina saying much the same thing. You were the only family left to her, but the journey was too arduous for an old woman to make.”
    Hearing a rebuke in the words, she gave him a keen