Read A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice for Free Online

scrutiny can be overmuch. Frederick, I mean Mr. Dryden, is not as mindful of the proprieties as our mothers like.”
    “Frederick Dryden? Why, and to think Mr. Cateret offered to introduce you. It is just as well.”
    “Whatever do you mean? When did you speak to Mr. Cateret about Mr. Dryden? Are you hiding something?”Amelia asked in an impish tone. She settled herself under the covers.
    “No, I leave that to you. He happened to be visiting last week. He is still at Middleton House with my father and brother. He simply asked after you and thought you might like to attend Mr. Dryden’s lecture.”
    “I will be. It was kind of him to think of me. But, Cecilia, you look upset. Did something happen? Do you not regard him as you had?”
    “No, yes. I still like him, though I wonder why. I have been mistaken, that is all. I will follow my parents’ guidance from now on.” Cecilia did not believe her own words, but even with Amelia, she did not want to share the whole truth.
    “That is not like you.” Amelia grinned, but stopped upon seeing that Cecilia did not share her mirth. “Do you not wish to speak of it? Are you sure you should follow your mother’s wishes?”
    “I will put my girlish fancies behind me,” Cecilia said, evading the question. “Besides, perhaps Mr. Thornhill will sweep me off my feet.” She laughed. Often the most effective concealment was had through humor.
    “I am glad to see you are not too affected, cousin. I had thought…but, as you say. I doubt Mr. Thornhill will do that. He does not appear to have a passionate sensibility, unlike Mr. Cateret, but he is well-looking, not too dull, and enjoys country life as you do. Our fathers were friends, though Fanny and I never met Mr. Thornhill until last year. You know my parents always pursued their own lives.”
    “Yes. I suppose my curiosity will be satisfied the day after tomorrow, when my aunt throws her dinner party.” Cecilia stifled a yawn.
    “I hope he will be all you wish, Cecilia. I want you as content as I. Now, to sleep, for I shall need you tomorrow and you will want to be rested for your meeting with the celebrated Mr. Thornhill.”
    “Yes, I must not disappoint such a gentleman.” The sarcastic edge in Cecilia’s tone went unnoticed by Amelia, who plumped her pillow.
    Cecilia slept well that night, tired from her journey. She could not like travel; though she loved riding, a long carriage ride was very different and oppressed, rather than refreshed, her spirits. Turning her mind to Amelia’s problem, she hoped to be of use to her cousin, who was nervous of the meeting between her mother and Mrs. Dryden. Amelia believed the two older women might clash.
    “Mr. Dryden’s mother is a formidable woman,” Amelia said as they walked into the drawing room the next afternoon. “Mr. Dryden assures me she approves of our engagement, but I fear Mama may take offense at her forcefulness. Though I am of age, I should like her blessing.”
    Cecilia perched on one of the two pale green sofas in the room, which also contained several round-backed chairs and tables of various sizes, as well as a compact writing desk along the wall opposite the door, situated between two classical landscapes. The colors reflected the high poplars of the Square’s park, visible through the front windows. “I am sure she will give it. As you have said, my aunt’s greatest wish is that both her daughters should marry well. She will be satisfied.”
    In this matter, Cecilia was proved correct. Mrs. Dryden and Mrs. Higham, though of very different minds, had their purposes coincide on the matter of their children’s marriage. Mrs. Higham was at first shocked her daughter had been carrying on a secret engagement, but upon meeting Mr. Dryden, whose parents came from very respectable old families, and his mother, she quickly forgot all quibbles with the whys and was content with the wherefores. Between the two women, it was agreed that the couple should marry