The Major and the Country Miss. Dorothy Elbury

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СКАЧАТЬ a dismissive shrug, saying ‘So it appears! I did hope to get the chance to ask her if she would care to join me in an early morning ride tomorrow morning—but it looks as though I shall have to settle for writing her a note, instead.’ Then, getting to his feet, he turned to go, saying, ‘If you will excuse me, Miss Venables, I believe I shall go in search of Catford, in order to ascertain where I might lay my hands on some writing materials.’

      Georgianne’s smile did not waver, nor did her expression betray her inner disappointment. ‘You will find paper and ink a-plenty in the library,’ she said brightly, indicating one of the sets of doors leading out on to the terrace above them. ‘Pens, too, I should think, for I mended several myself only yesterday. Do, please, go and write your note and, if you care to trust me with its delivery, I shall see that Stephanie receives it at the first possible opportunity.’ Then, pausing, as a slight frown puckered her brow, she added hesitantly, ‘However, I do feel that it is only fair to warn you in advance that Miss Highsmith does not, in fact, ride!’

      Maitland’s steps faltered and he turned back to face her. ‘I beg your pardon?’ he said, staring down at her in astonishment, for this was a possibility that had certainly never crossed his mind. ‘Did I really hear you say that Miss Highsmith does not ride?’

      Georgianne nodded. ‘I’m afraid not,’ she replied, with a sympathetic smile. ‘She took a tumble when she was just a child and has refused to mount ever since— she actually has a great fear of horses, although she does enjoy being driven about the countryside. Perhaps you could invite her to take a ride in your carriage, instead?’

      Maitland’s heart sank. ‘Unfortunately, as you are no doubt aware, I travelled up to Warwickshire on horseback. And the carriage in which we drove here this morning belongs to my cousin.’ He nodded towards Fenton, who was still in the thick of those enjoying the exquisite Stephanie’s favours. ‘It should be possible to hire one, I suppose,’ he went on, more to himself than to his companion. ‘It’s getting one’s hands on a halfway decent one that might pose the biggest problem, though.’

      Weighing up the various pros and cons of the unexpected dilemma, he stared moodily across the lawn, a hot spurt of jealousy running through him every time Stephanie bestowed her vivacious smile upon one of her admirers. But then, suddenly conscious of Georgianne’s eyes on him, he remembered his manners and, hurriedly collecting himself, lowered himself to the ground at her side.

      ‘And how about yourself, Miss Venables?’ he asked, more out of politeness than from any real interest. ‘May I take it that you do not share your friend’s aversion?’

      ‘Oh, absolutely not!’ replied Georgianne, her eyes immediately lighting up and, to Maitland’s surprise, completely transforming her face. ‘It is quite my most favourite pastime and one that I indulge in at every possible opportunity. Uncle Charles—Lord Gresham, I should say—has only just recently purchased the most delightful new mare for me—I had quite outgrown my dear old Meg. Fortunately, we have no need to put her out to pasture quite just yet, since she is so gentle that Cat’s two sisters are perfectly happy to trust her with their youngsters.’

      A smile crept across Maitland’s face. ‘I have been fortunate enough to hang on to my own Pegasus for more than six years now,’ he said, in reply. ‘I have other mounts, of course, but none so dear to me. One grows so attached.’

      Georgianne gave an enthusiastic nod. ‘Oh, I do so agree,’ she said fervently. ‘I have to confess that I already find myself sharing many a secret with Puss!’

      His smile deepened. ‘Puss? An unusual name for a mare, surely?’

      Catching his twinkle, she returned the smile. ‘Her name is Olympus really, but it became too much of a mouthful when I was urging her over a seven-footer, so she became Puss, which does seem to suit her temperament rather well, I feel.’

      ‘I’m sure that it does,’ he returned, somewhat absentmindedly, for his eyes had strayed once more to the group on the far side of the lawn.

      Swallowing her regret at his sudden change of manner, Georgianne refused to allow her disappointment to show. ‘Steffi enjoys many other pastimes,’ she said stoutly. ‘She sketches and paints quite beautifully and plays the pianoforte far better than anyone I know. And, look—’

      Reaching over into the basket by her side, she drew out a carefully folded piece of material and held it out for his inspection. ‘Her embroidery is perfectly exquisite.’

      Somewhat taken aback, Maitland eyed the small flannel garment that she was holding up to him. ‘What is it?’ he asked curiously. ‘It looks not unlike a doll’s petticoat!’

      ‘It’s to be a nightdress, silly!’ She laughed and, seeing his lack of comprehension, pointed to the pile of garments in her sewing basket. ‘A newborn babe’s nightdress—we sew them for Lady Highsmith’s charity home, only…’ as, with a self-conscious smile, she hurriedly folded the small garment and returned it to her basket ‘…I fear that I am no embroiderer—a simple seamstress, that’s me!’

      ‘Your work is very fine,’ he replied. ‘And of far more practical use than the usual traycloths and tea serviettes, I should imagine.’ Then, reaching out, he ran his fingers through the finished garments. ‘Why is it that not all of the garments have this small rosebud embellishment? Does it have to do with the status of the recipient?’

      Georgianne looked shocked. ‘Good heavens, no!’ she disclaimed hotly. ‘When they are finished, they will be identical! It is simply that I have been at liberty to forge ahead with my part of the task, while Steffi has had rather more calls upon her time, so she has a little catching up to do. You gentlemen must take the blame for that,’ she added, eyeing him mischievously. ‘Not you personally, I grant, but, I dare say as soon as you are given the opportunity…?’

      ‘As a matter of fact,’ he countered, somewhat impulsively. ‘I was rather wondering whether you yourself would consider allowing me to join you on one of your morning rides?’

      For the briefest of moments, she stared at him, her face quite impassive, then, giving a swift nod, she smiled, saying, ‘Yes, of course, although Cat and I go out very early—you will have to be here by seven, if you mean to join us! Oh, look! Uncle Charles and the others have returned; I must go and see if Moffat has everything ready—it seems that we are to lunch “al fresco” today, which, while it is intended to provide a great deal of enjoyment for Aunt Letty’s guests, does, of course, rather involve the staff in a great deal of extra work. If you will excuse me?’

      As he scrambled to his feet, Maitland’s eyes followed Georgianne’s graceful figure as she crossed the grass, mounted the steps leading on to the terrace and disappeared around the corner of the building. Then, wondering where the devil Catford had got to with the promised drinks, he lowered himself down on to the grass once more and stared thoughtfully at the abandoned sewing basket. Why Georgianne’s apparent lack of enthusiasm to include him in her morning ride should have come as such a disappointment to him, he could not imagine, since, as far as he had been concerned, his impromptu gesture had come about more out of good manners than for any real desire for her company. Not that the young lady had not proved herself to be excellent company, he hastened to remind himself, a swift grin creasing his face as he recalled Georgianne’s impassioned listing of her friend’s numerous accomplishments. Added to which, he thought good-humouredly, it had been a good many years since anyone had had the temerity to label him ‘silly’!

      His contemplative reverie was soon interrupted by the belated arrival of the highly apologetic viscount, bearing a pair of foaming tankards. ‘Dreadfully sorry, old chap,’ he puffed, as he joined Maitland on the grass. ‘Bit of a domestic crisis, СКАЧАТЬ