Read Madcap Miss for Free Online Page B

already half-hungry, and unlikely to close her eyes before midnight. There was nothing to read, nothing to do, no one to talk to.
    She flung herself on the lumpy bed to wait till it got late enough to really think of retiring. She would not undress till Whewett came. She reviewed the strange day, which had such unusual happenings that the time passed without tedium. At nine there was a tap at the adjoining door. She ran to open it.
    Whewett stood on the other side, smiling. “ You were marvelous, Doll, ” he congratulated her, and stepped in with no hesitation, nor much feeling of strangeness.
    “ Thank you. It didn ’ t go too badly, but I am happy it is only a short visit. I do not look forward with any pleasure to being sent to my room at eight o ’ clock. Even at Bixworths ’ , I was allowed up till ten. ”
    “ She shipped me off at nine, not much better. ”
    “ Will we have to stay all day tomorrow? ”
    “ I ’ m afraid so. We ’ ve been discussing that belowstairs. She wants me to ride over the place and speak to the estate manager she ’ s been dealing with since her arrival. It will take a few days more. ”
    “ A few days more! Whewett, you said two days altogether. I thought today was one of them. ”
    “ We were not here today, ” he pointed out reasonably. “ She wants to see more of you than that. ”
    “ Two more nights locked in this dungeon! You must get me some books and some decent lights. And something to eat. I am starved. ”
    “ Sorry about the apple tart. You must own I tried, but you dumpy girls, you know ... ”
    “ I am not dumpy. I am petite, ” Grace sniffed. “ There is a difference. ”
    “ I noticed but did not think it wise to call the difference to Grandma ’ s attention. Are you actually hungry? ”
    “ No, I am actually starved. I had a cup of tea for breakfast, and exactly one thin sandwich for luncheon. ”
    Whewett looked uncertain. “ I have a box of bonbons I picked up for my housekeeper. You may have them if you promise to clean your teeth. ”
    “ I promise to clean the box, in any case. ” He made no move to get the bonbons. “ Oh, of course I ’ ll clean my teeth. I ’ m twenty-two years old, not a child. ”
    “ It ’ s easy to forget, ” he said, glancing at her short skirts. The gown had a loose, smock-type top that concealed her figure.
    Whewett went to his room and returned with the box of bonbons, which he opened to pass to her before selecting one himself. “ Revolting, aren ’ t they? ” he asked, chewing without the least sign of pleasure.
    “ They are delicious! Try the little round one. It has a cherry in liqueur. ” He laid the box aside. “ Do you think you should go? I mean, in case she comes, ” Grace added.
    “ Don ’ t worry. I ’ m not going to eat any more of your candy. As to Grandma ’ s coming, there is nothing wrong with my talking to my daughter, and while you are in this house, Dolly, you are my daughter. Don ’ t forget it. ”
    “ I ’ m not likely to, with Lady Healy asking me every minute if I remembered to dry behind my ears. ”
    “ She ’ s sharp-tongued, but she likes you immensely. She had a dozen compliments the minute you left. This was an excellent idea, bringing you here. It is giving her so much pleasure, it would be a shame to deprive her of it. Augusta would not have done half so well herself. A shy child like Gussie would have been terrified of the old Tartar, but you did excellently. How did you get so brave? ”
    “ From dealing with Mrs. Bixworth, who is enough of a terror to frighten Lady Healy. I think Grandma is really lonesome beneath her rough exterior. There was a tear on her cheek when I kissed her, Whewett. Did you notice it? ”
    “ Yes, but it was a tear of joy, I think. ”
    “ I hope so. ” Grace unthinkingly put another chocolate in her mouth and chewed. “ Everyone ’ s lonesome underneath, I imagine. Even you. ”
    “ Even I? Widows and widowers are more lonesome