Read A Matter of Honor for Free Online Page B

herself.
    “Too late to know whether or not my husband had such a chest.”
    “Cecilie, one does not marry because of a man’s chest.”
    Cecilie shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I am quite determined. My husband must be a good dancer, a crack horseman, and have a lot of hair on his chest.”
    Aggie, by now resigned to the fact that she could not end this conversation which was taking on unreal proportions, sighed. “Cecilie, one does not see one’s intended’s - body - until after the ceremony.”
    Cecilie tossed her curls. “Perhaps not. But I tell you I am resolved on this matter. I shall not marry a man unless he has a chest like that. I simply shall not.”
    Aggie could think of nothing more to say. She knew from experience that it was futile to try to change Cecilie ’s mind. She could only hope that this was some temporary whim of hers. As far as she was concerned, thought Aggie, it was not the chest itself, but the fact that it belonged to his lordship, that she found so disconcerting. She opened her mouth to caution Cecilie against informing the Earl of this new resolve, but she closed it again without doing so. It was dangerous to tell Cecilie that something might prove annoying to his lordship. For, should an occasion arise in which she wished to annoy him - as it well might - she would immediately revert to the use of such weapons. And in this case, at least, it could only work to her detriment. The Earl was a hard man, with a volatile temper, quite unused to dealing with temperamental young women. But the most important thing was that he held the power. And in any contest, no matter how uncomfortable Cecilie made him, the Earl was bound to best her.
    Aggie sighed again. There was no way to make Cecilie realize this. The next days were going to prove very exasperating, Aggie thought. And she would be caught in the middle: between a willful recalcitrant child and a proud strong-minded lord. It was not at all a pleasant prospect.
     

Chapter Four
     
    The next several days passed without much incident, but Aggie did not really relax. How could she, when she had always to be alert so that Dillydums did not escape to roam the house or Cecilie to take to the sidewalks? Still, she appreciated the relative calm while she waited for the storm she knew was coming. And come it did.
    They had been in London roughly a week when after luncheon one day Bates appeared. “His lordship wishes to see you both in the library,” he announced.
    Cecilie made a face, but kept silent and rose dutifully enough to follow her companion. Inside the library door Aggie paused. The Earl was at his desk, his gaze intent on a ledger. As the rustle of their gowns announced their presence he raised his head. “Good day.”
    It was impossible to detect anything from his tone and Aggie found herself scrutinizing his face for signs of his mood. “Good day, milord,” she replied.
    His lordship nodded toward some chairs. “Please be seated. We have a great deal to be discussed.” He paused, awaiting a reply, but none came. “I have set the date for your come out,” he continued. “Lady Bakistonhas agreed to take the whole thing in hand. Who could ask for a better person to direct things?”
    To this entirely rhetorical question Cecilie replied , “I could. I appreciate your putting yourself out for me,” she continued with perfect composure. “But it is actually quite unnecessary. Aggie is quite capable of handling the whole thing, so you may give Lady Bakiston my thanks and tell her we don’t need her.”
    Denby’s expression never wavered while Cecilie spoke. When she had finished, he merely smiled dryly. “I have already engaged Lady Bakiston . She has her plans well underway.”
    “I do not want Lady Bakiston to plan anything,” cried Cecilie. “This is my come out. Aggie and I have it all arranged.”
    The Earl regarded her soberly. “Lady Bakiston is most experienced in such matters. You and Miss Trimble are a couple of