The Defiant Debutante. Helen Dickson

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СКАЧАТЬ the reason that prevented him visiting his sick friend. ‘But, Uncle Henry, of course you must go to Cornwall. Perhaps I could accompany you?’ she asked hopefully, finding the prospect of being alone with his nephew absolutely horrifying.

      ‘Thank you, my dear,’ Henry replied with a smile, reaching out and patting her hand in a fond gesture. ‘But I won’t hear of it.’

      Alex was suddenly contrite, knowing how fond his uncle was of Robert Boothroyd. ‘I’m sorry, Uncle. Of course you must go. Miss Hamilton will accompany me to Arlington. To still the gossip, I shall ask Aunt Patience to come and stay. With her and a house full of servants, that should be more than ample to uphold the proprieties.’

      ‘To protect me, you mean,’ Angelina couldn’t help retorting.

      Having suddenly lost his appetite, Alex threw his napkin on to the table. He scowled darkly across the table at her and their eyes met and held, irresistible force colliding with immovable object. ‘Let me assure you that you do not need protecting from me,’ he said with scathing contempt. ‘By nature I am not a violent man, but if you inconvenience me in any way or disobey me, you may have good reason to seek protection from me. Is that understood?’

      Angelina merely glowered at him.

      Henry seemed to be torn two ways, but in the end he gave in to their persuasion to go to Cornwall—a little too easily, Alex thought, giving his uncle a narrow, suspicious look. Henry would join them both at Arlington at a later date. ‘And don’t worry, Angelina,’ he said when he saw the worried look in her eyes. ‘You will like Arlington—and, if you find Alex’s presence irksome, the house is so large that you can go for weeks at a time without bumping into one another.’

      ‘That sounds appealing,’ she responded, throwing Lord Montgomery a glance like a poison dart. ‘And after your visit to Cornwall, are we to return to London?’

      ‘Yes. It is important that we return to prepare for the Season in April. You will have to master all manner of accomplishments so we must allow ourselves enough time. I shall employ a tutor to instruct you in social protocol, conduct, polite conversation and that sort of thing. You must also have dancing lessons and arrangements will have to be made for a complete wardrobe—a responsibility I shall be more than happy to place in my dear sister’s capable hands. We must see that you are well prepared when you make your curtsy. I am convinced you will be a tremendous success and will be inundated with suitors. Eventually you will make a perfect match.’

      Angelina felt a terrible, unexplained dread mounting inside her. The whole idea of the Season terrified her. ‘Uncle Henry, I know you think that what you are doing is in my best interests—and please don’t think I’m not grateful because I am. I—I do so want to be worthy of you, to make you proud of me, but…’

      ‘But what, my dear?’

      ‘It’s just that I have no interest in being paraded in front of society merely to acquire a suitable husband. Besides, I cannot see the point of going to all that bother and expense when I have no intention of marrying.’

      Stunned into silence, both men looked at her.

      ‘If it’s all the same to you, I’m quite happy as I am. I don’t want to be married. I’m never going to get married.’

      Henry was troubled by the intensity of her statement. It was said with deep conviction, and more than a little pain. Recalling what Will had told him about rescuing her from the Shawnee, he wondered what had happened to her that she refused to speak of. Whatever it was, she hid it well, and he was certain it had something to do with her decision not to marry.

      ‘Don’t be alarmed, Angelina,’ he said gently. ‘It is not my intention to make you do anything you have an aversion to. You need time to adjust to things. Perhaps, after a few weeks spent at Arlington, you will come to see everything in a different light.’

      ‘No, Uncle Henry, I won’t,’ she told him with a quiet firmness.

      ‘I do not believe you realise the seriousness of what you are refusing,’ Alex commented, listening with a great deal of interest to what was being said.

      Angelina looked across at him calmly. ‘What are you saying?’

      ‘The point I am trying to make is that, as the ward of the Duke of Mowbray, when you fail to make an appearance when the Season starts people will want to know why. You will leave yourself wide open to a great deal of gossip and speculation.’

      ‘I have little interest in what people think.’

      ‘No, but my uncle has. There is more to this than you seem to be concerned about. There are standards to be upheld. Of course you must marry some time.’

      ‘No. I meant what I said.’

      ‘I applaud your honesty. Have you no desire for a family of your own—children? Is that not an incentive to marry?’

      ‘Not to me.’

      ‘Then what is it you want from life?’ he asked, his steady gaze locking on to hers.

      ‘I don’t know,’ she whispered, the sheer desperation and pain of the look she gave him making Alex forget all his hostility towards her. He was made uneasy by it. Something reached out and touched him in half-forgotten obscure places.

      ‘It would seem, Alex,’ said Henry, sensing the distress signals coming from Angelina and rallying to her rescue, ‘that someone else is of the same opinion as yourself regarding the honourable institution of marriage.’

      ‘On the contrary, Uncle. I’ve decided to marry after all.’

      Henry looked at his nephew sharply, surprise registering in his eyes, and more than a pang of disappointment settling on his heart. ‘Really? Now that is a surprise. You have been busy while I’ve been in America.’

      ‘I imagine you are pleased that I have decided to marry and provide you with the heir you are constantly plaguing me about.’

      ‘That depends on the lady you intend to marry. Who is she?’

      ‘Lavinia Howard.’

      ‘Lord Howard’s eldest daughter?’

      ‘Yes,’ Alex replied, watching his uncle closely.

      Henry nodded slowly as he digested the information. ‘I see. Well, she is eminently suitable, I grant you, and her father has been hankering after a match between the two of you for long enough. She is a fine young woman of excellent character. Have you spoken to her father?’

      ‘Nothing has been decided. I’m giving a small weekend house party at Arlington in two weeks’ time and I have invited her along with her parents and a party of friends. If I am still of the same mind, I will speak to Lord Howard then.’

      ‘His daughter will certainly preside over Arlington with grace and poise and has been trained to manage the demanding responsibilities of such a large house. However, it is evident to me that you are thinking with your head and not your heart, Alex. I see you are considering marriage to Miss Howard with the same kind of dispassion and practised precision you employ when dealing with your business transactions.’

      Alex shrugged. ‘Did you expect anything else? I am no more sentimental about marriage СКАЧАТЬ