Misfit Maid. Elizabeth Bailey

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СКАЧАТЬ are not arranging it for yourself,’ Delagarde pointed out. ‘You are expecting me to arrange it.’

      ‘And so you shall,’ broke in Lady Hester Otterburn cheerfully.

      ‘What?’

      ‘My dear Laurie, you will hardly be outdone in the matter of honour, I should hope! It is not the part of a chivalrous man to leave poor Maidie to her fate. Besides, I know it must be an object with you to accede to your mother’s wishes. I cannot think you will do otherwise than make it your business to set Lady Mary’s feet upon the social ladder.’

       Chapter Two

       T emporarily silenced by the shock of his great-aunt’s perfidy, Delagarde watched in a daze as Lady Hester Otterburn ushered the visitor out. With disbelieving ears, he heard her encouraging the wretched female to return, bringing with her the duenna and all their trunks from the Maddox Street inn where she had left them. No sooner had the front door shut behind Maidie, than his lordship came to himself with a start.

      ‘Have you taken leave of your senses, Aunt Hes?’ he demanded furiously, as that lady walked back into the parlour.

      ‘I don’t think so,’ replied his great-aunt mildly.

      ‘Well, I do! What the devil possessed you to invite her back here? If you imagine that I am to be coerced into acceding to the wench’s idiotic request, you may think again.’

      ‘Then you will be a great fool!’ she told him roundly.

      He stared at her. ‘I beg your pardon?’

      ‘My dear Laurie, if you cannot see what is right under your nose, I declare I wash my hands of you!’

      ‘I wish you would,’ he retorted, incensed. ‘Do, pray, stop talking in riddles, Aunt.’

      To his surprise, she eyed him with a good deal of speculation for a moment. Then she smiled. ‘Gracious, I believe you really don’t know!’

      ‘Don’t know what?’

      Lady Hester laughed at him. ‘How to bring a girl out, of course. No matter. You will learn fast, I dare say.’

      ‘But I have no desire to learn it,’ Delagarde stated, in some dudgeon. ‘What is more, I am not going to do so.’

      ‘Oh, yes, you are. I have quite decided that.’

      ‘You have decided it? Thank you very much indeed. Give me one good reason why I should allow myself to have this hideous charge foisted on to me.’

      ‘I might give you several,’ said his great-aunt coolly, ‘but one will suffice. You are far too hedonistic and idle.’

      Delagarde fairly gasped. ‘I am what?’

      ‘I have long thought that the life you lead is ruinous. You have no responsibility, and nothing to do beyond consulting your own pleasure. It will do you good to exert yourself and think of someone else for a change.’

      ‘Oh, will it?’ retorted her great-nephew, stung. ‘Then allow me to point out to you that if—if!—I agree to this preposterous idea—’

      ‘Don’t be silly, Laurie! Everything is settled.’

      ‘—it is not I who will be exerting myself. It may have escaped your notice, Aunt, but it is usual for debutantes to have a female to bring them out.’

      ‘Quite right,’ said Lady Hester comfortably. ‘I shall do that.’

      ‘Not in this house!’ objected Delagarde. ‘Besides, you cannot do so. For one thing, you have no longer any position in society—’

      ‘That can readily be remedied.’

      ‘—and for another, your health is unequal to the strain of a London Season.’

      ‘Nonsense, I have never been better!’

      ‘What is more,’ pursued Delagarde, ignoring these interpolations, ‘I have not invited you to remain here above the few days you intended.’

      Lady Hester suddenly clapped her hands together. ‘That reminds me! I have not brought near enough with me for a whole Season. My abigail will have to go down to Berkshire at once. Oh, and you will have to open up all the saloons. We cannot receive morning callers in the drawing-room, and if we are to give a ball—’

      ‘A ball! Let me tell you—’

      ‘Or, no. It is too late to secure a suitable date. A small party, perhaps, and meanwhile we will introduce Maidie quite quietly—’

      ‘You cannot introduce her in any way at all!’ Delagarde interposed, in considerable disorder. ‘Good God, I will not be sponsor to a lady looking as Maidie does! I should lose all credit with the world.’

      ‘You are very right,’ agreed Lady Hester, laying an approving hand on his arm. ‘Her appearance will not do at all. I had not thought of it in all this excitement. She must be properly dressed. I shall see to that at once. Maidie cannot object to acquiring new gowns. You need have no fear, Laurie. I will make sure she does not disgrace you.’

      ‘If her conduct today is any indication of her company manners,’ Delagarde said bitterly, ‘there is little hope of preventing that.’

      But Lady Hester was not attending. ‘We will not make too obvious a stir, I think, for that may defeat the purpose. A soirée at the start of next month will serve admirably. At first, though—’

      ‘Aunt Hester!’

      ‘—we shall make it our business to call upon all the leading hostesses. As Maidie’s sponsor, you will of course accompany us.’

      ‘If you think I am going to dance attendance on that cursed wench morning after morning—’

      ‘Laurie, what am I thinking of?’ interrupted his great-aunt, unheeding. ‘The servants! We shall never manage with this skeleton staff. You must send to Berkshire immediately. Or, stay. Lowick may go down himself and make all the necessary arrangements.’

      ‘Aunt Hes—’

      ‘Gracious, there is so much to be done! I must see Lowick immediately. He and I will put our heads together, and—’

      ‘Aunt Hes, will you, for God’s sake, attend to me?’

      She stopped in mid-stride, and looked at him with an air of surprise. ‘Yes, Laurie?’

      ‘Aunt Hes, stop!’ he uttered desperately. ‘I will not— I have no intention— Oh, good God, I think I am going mad! Aunt Hes, if you bring that wretched girl to live here, I promise you I shall remove!’

      ‘Nonsense. Move out of your own house? Besides, we need you.’

      ‘We!’ he said witheringly. ‘Why are you doing this to me?’

      ‘Why?’ A trill of laughter escaped Lady Hester, as she made for the door. ‘My dear Laurie, I have your interests wholly at heart, СКАЧАТЬ