A Banbury Tale Read Online Free PDF Page A

added, as if to herself, “These things were understood in my youth, and a great deal easier it was.”
    “I almost hesitate to ask, but how so?” Micah regarded his godmother with exasperated affection.
    “What is it they call you, a nonesuch?” the Duchess growled. “Bah! You’re but a pup, still wet behind the ears.” She surveyed her godson’s merriment with some severity. “At best your world is but a paltry imitation, a lifeless travesty, of what I knew as a girl. You conduct your amours with no more finesse than a farm lad driving home his cows.”
    “I trust you do not refer to me specifically,” Micah replied. “Do continue: had you the power, how would you order poor Tilda’s life?”
    “I hardly think that one may refer to Mathilda as ‘poor,’“ the Duchess mused. “Her fortune is not inconsiderable—another reason why I would be displeased to see her marry Timothy, who hasn’t the least notion of how to pursue pleasure profitably. Lud! She’d be better wed to a fortune-hunting rogue who’d strew rose petals for her to walk on and toast her with slippers filled with champagne.” She scowled. “I doubt Dominic ever loved anyone, which is a great pity. I see no reason why that particular emotion should be reserved for the masses. But to continue: in my youth, a lady married for convenience’s sake, presented her husband with an heir, and then was free to embark upon a series of discreet affaires.”
    The Earl did not ask if Agatha spoke from experience, as she half hoped he would. “You’ve a strange sense of morality, ma’am,” he commented. “Would it please you to see Tilda ruined?”
    “Not at all!” The Duchess was unrepentant. Her maid looked ready to swoon. “Nor do I wish to see her bored to distraction, which is why I shall contrive to see that she doesn’t wed Timothy, the most likely eventuality if he persists in sticking as close as a court plaster. I quite dote on Mathilda, as you well know, and do not care to see her left so much alone. She will not acknowledge her brother’s overtures, which I cannot blame in her: Bevis made no attempt to end the estrangement until Dominic left Mathilda so well off. I do not wonder that he has now chosen to live among the Scots! But Mathilda’s solitude must come to an end. I suppose there’s nothing for it but to persuade her to return to London with me.” She observed her companion thoughtfully. “Which brings me to something I’ve long meant to discuss with you: it’s time you got yourself an heir.”
    “With your various charitable schemes, and your plans for Tilda’s future, I’m surprised that you still have time to concern yourself with me,” Micah retorted in dulcet tones. “Have you chosen me a wife? Or is that left for me to do?”
    “Don’t be impertinent!” The Duchess was hugely enjoying herself. “The choice is naturally yours, providing you don’t dawdle too long. I trust you will not be so thoughtless as to contract another mesalliance. Choose a good, obedient girl without an overabundance of sensibility, and I shall profess myself well pleased with you.”
    Few people could refer to Lord Wilmington’s disastrous first marriage without dire consequence, but the Duchess was notoriously impervious to snubs. Her acquaintance with Brummel had blossomed into friendship upon the occasion when that gentleman had attempted to administer her a quelling, and well-deserved, set-down, and had failed. Brummel’s delight at the discovery of this new treasure had not only led him to join Agatha’s throng of devoted admirers, but had prompted him to offer Micah invaluable advice on the proper tying of a cravat. The Earl had accepted this singular mark of favor with vast appreciation and only a hint of a grin.
    Micah’s withdrawn expression relaxed into a warm smile. “You are truly redoubtable,” he remarked. “But I must tell you that I, too, have no wish to wed.”
    “Perchance,” Agatha responded, “you,