Elizabeth Mansfield

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Book: Read Elizabeth Mansfield for Free Online
Authors: The GirlWith the Persian Shawl
her uncle, and she certainly hadn't forgotten the insult he'd given her at Rendell Hall. He obviously didn't like her. So what sort of game was he playing? Did rakes believe they should capture every female in their vicinity? "Escorting me is quite unnecessary, my lord," she said.
    "From a lady's point of view, perhaps. But I like to adhere to a gentleman's standards."
    "Not always, I think," she retorted pointedly.
    He looked at her blankly, but only for a moment. "Ah," he said, remembering, "you're thinking of our conversation when I called at Rendell Hall. If I was ungentlemanly to you that day, Miss Rendell, I most sincerely apologize." His lips curved in a small smile. "Although I think you should admit that you were at least partially to blame."
    She lowered her eyes. "I admit nothing." She would not give him the satisfaction of agreeing, even if he had the right of it. Anyway, she told herself, this sort of conversation would not do. It would be best for her peace of mind to rid herself of his company. "But, my lord," she suggested pleasantly, "wouldn't it be more gentlemanly if you returned to the drawing room?"
    "More gentlemanly? Why?"
    "To be available to escort your betrothed in to dinner?"
    "What?" His lordship blinked at her bewilderedly. "Your betrothed. Deirdre."
    "What on earth are you talking about, Miss Rendell?"
    She smiled at him knowingly. "Come now, my lord, you needn't play the innocent. I know all about it."
    He peered down at her in amazement. "I don't understand. What is it that you know all about?"
    "About you and Deirdre. Deirdre told me herself."
    "Told you?" His brows drew together in perplexity. "Told you about— ? "
    "About your engagement, yes. You needn't pretend with me, you know. Deirdre confided the whole to me."
    "The whole what?"
    "The whole. That you and she are betrothed, of course."
    "Deirdre told you that she and I —?"
    "There's no need to deny it," Kate cut in, patting his arm reassuringly. "I understand that it's supposed to be kept secret until the announcement tonight, but she and I are closer than mere cousins. We're very good friends, and she couldn't keep me in the dark."
    "Let me understand this," Lord Ainsworth said, cocking his head at her. "Deirdre told you that she and I are betrothed. She mentioned me by name, did she?"
    "She didn't have to."
    "I see." He gave a little snort.
    "Are you annoyed with her? You mustn't be. She knew I wouldn't say anything."
    "I am not annoyed, ma'am. But I'd—"
    "Then you mustn't keep her waiting for you. I'm quite capable of fetching your brother by myself. Do go back to the drawing room."
    He shook his head in amazement. "I must say, Miss Rendell, that your character is remarkably ... er ..."
    She saw that same, ironically amused look in his eyes. "Remarkably what?" she asked defensively.
    "Remarkably consistent."
    She stiffened. "I don't know what you mean by that," she said coldly, "but I know you don't mean it as a compliment."
    "Why do you assume that?'
    "From that mocking look in your eye. Am I right?"
    He flashed one of his disarming grins. "It would not be gentlemanly to say." And with a quick bow and a wave of his hand, he turned and strolled back down the hall.
     
     

 
    EIGHT
     
     
    The boy in the library was staring morosely out a tall window, as if he could really see something out there in the darkening landscape. Kate, observing him from the doorway, let out a surprised "Oh!" She'd expected him to be tall for his age and dark-haired like his brother, as indeed he was. But what she hadn't expected was that his right arm would be in a sling.
    At the sound of her cry, he wheeled about, his eyes (light, like his brother's) showing the fear of a hunted animal.
    She stepped over the threshold. "I startled you," she said. "I'm sorry. You see, they didn't tell me about your arm."
    "Beg pardon, ma'am?"
    She smiled and offered her hand. "I'm not ma'am. I'm Kate, our host's niece. If you're Benjy, I've been sent to fetch

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