The Darcy Code Read Free Page A

said to that pompous brother of hers. However, there is no way of expecting such a man to listen to sense. Though Anna need not worry, I am sure Mrs. Carteret will see to it that Harriet comes to no harm. It may be quite difficult for them to make the journey back to England if war is declared, perhaps they will have to come via Switzerland , but I do not think Harriet is in any danger, no one is in expectation of seeing the excesses of the Terror re-enacted."
    "Good gracious, I should hope not indeed," Lady Gosforth said.
     
    Mr. Standish seemed to be everywhere that Anna was, at soirées and drums and balls. He came to Almacks, looking, she thought, extremely elegant in knee breeches and a flesh-coloured waistcoat, and stood up with her for more than one dance. He was even there, wonders of wonders, at a concert of ancient music, to which she had reluctantly gone with her mother, who loved music. As it was, the music, the musicians, the company - all became more than tolerable in the presence of Mr. Standish, "a very Apollo in form," she whispered to Henrietta – who cast her eyes heavenwards and breathed into Anna's ear to have a care, not to cast herself so wildly into love.
    Henrietta had a new beau of her own, a steady, well-mannered sort of man; indeed Anna believed him to be a most amiable person, but he could not hold a candle to Mr. Standish. How could any woman set eyes on Mr. Standish without falling violently in love with him? She watched with jealous, suspicious eyes every woman to whom he talked or with whom he danced. But she could tell that he did not fancy any of them, and with none of them did he have that smile on his face or that look of pleasure and fun as he did when he spoke with her, chatted to her during dinner, danced with her, rode out with her on an expedition to Richmond or sat across from her at the card table.
    He discovered her passion for riding, and they rode together in the Park, properly accompanied by a bored groom. Anna, dressed in her new riding habit, knew she looked her best, her colour a little high from the exercise, her slender figure upright, her seat good. As for Mr. Standish, astride a fine bay, he was handsomer than ever in his black coat and gleaming boots. He was a keen rider to hounds, and he spoke of his enjoyment in hunting while she, who hated hunting, hung upon every word, so pleased to be with him and to listen to what he had to say; he could have recited one of Fordyce's sermons and she would have been enthralled.
     
    At home, her happy mood, her joy and zest for life were evident to everyone.
    Her father commented upon it, "My word, it is amazing to see our little Anna blossom like this."
    "Blossom nothing," said Lady Gosforth crossly. "She has fallen in love, and it is with a man who is not worthy of her affections."
    Lord Gosforth looked at his wife in surprise. "You do not mean to tell me that she has taken up with a rake, or some half-pay soldier after her fortune? How could you come to betray your maternal duty in such a way? Why have you not sent the impudent dog packing?"
    "My dear, the young man in question is not an impudent dog, he is Rowland Standish, an unexceptionable young man of good family, as you well know."
    "Standish? Well, you are right, there is no question of Anna making him any kind of a suitable wife. It is not a matter of family or background, as you say he is a perfectly well bred young man, but he is destined for political career and no one could be less suited to that than my frippery daughter. Besides, she's too young for him."
    "As to that, I think she would be well-suited with an older husband, but not Mr. Standish. He is flirting, he enjoys the company of a pretty girl, but that is enough to break her heart when he moves on to some other fancy."
    "You had best warn him off, ma'am. I will not have him trifling with Anna's affections, wasn't there are some scandalous affair attached to his name, before he went abroad?"
     
    Anna would