A Sensible Lady: A Traditional Regency Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

ladies to struggle along in my dust.”
    “If you do not mind, I prefer to walk the rest of the way, my lord.”
    Katherine could hear the petulance in her voice.
    “As a matter of fact, I do mind,” was Lord Dracott’s response, as he gripped her arm and steered her toward the dogcart.
    “The last thing I want to do is to make us the object of unwarranted speculation, my lord,” Katherine said through clenched teeth.
    “All folks need do is listen to us talk for a second or two to disabuse them of any unwarranted speculations, Miss Brampton.”
    The journey into the village was marked by silence.
    Katherine’s relief on arriving at St. John Chrysostom’s was destroyed by seeing Aunt Brampton emerge from the church. What sin had Katherine committed to be required to face Aunt Brampton on two consecutive days? Katherine presented Lord Dracott, watching the other lady’s expression change from suspicion to ingratiating friendliness.
    “Lord Dracott.” Aunt Brampton sank a deep curtsey. “How relieved we all are to have you returned from the wars, safe and sound.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Brampton.”
    Lord Dracott gave a brisk nod in the way of a bow and glanced pointedly at the dogcart, registering his longing to be on his way. Aunt Brampton followed his gaze, but instead of taking his broad hint and bidding him good day, she pursed her lips in disapproval.
    “Really, my lord, you must think of your station. Do you not agree, Katherine, my dear? That dogcart is much too common for his lordship to be seen driving about the parish. If you have need of something new in the way of conveyance, my lord, I know that Sir Clive would be happy to give you a few pointers. He stays up-to-the-minute on all the fashions.”
    Aunt Brampton beamed.
    “That would be very kind of Sir Clive.”
    Katherine wondered if Aunt Brampton detected the frost in Lord Dracott’s voice.
    “But from what I could see at first glance,” the baron continued, “the carriage house at the Hall is overflowing with conveyances of all descriptions.”
    He smiled politely, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
    “Actually,” he continued, “I would ordinarily ride my horse, but my friend here was so eager to come along, I couldn’t disappoint her.”
    He bent and scratched the adoring Trinket’s ears.
    Aunt Brampton drew back her skirts to avoid the possibility of grayish-red dog hairs spoiling her royal-blue silk gown. But if Lord Dracott had hoped that interjecting Trinket into the conversation would end his trial, he was mistaken.
    “I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Dracott at the Dower House yesterday, my lord. Such a bright child. I would advise you to engage a governess for her as soon as possible.”
    “Governesses are all right in their way, I suppose. But I hate to tie Lizzie down. I figure next year is soon enough for lessons.”
    Katherine saw the quickly hidden flash of horror cross Aunt Brampton’s face. Katherine was certain Lord Dracott had seen it, too. She had noticed that same bland smile on his face just this morning when he knew he had made Katherine uncomfortable.
    Lord Dracott glanced again in the direction of the dogcart, but Aunt Brampton was too quick to permit him to make his farewells.
    “I imagine you have stopped by the church to visit the chapel where your dear wife and son are buried. You will notice that I have just placed posies on their tombs.”
    Katherine looked up in horror at Lord Dracott’s grim face.
    “I stopped by the church to deliver Miss Brampton for her task of arranging altar flowers,” he said in freezing tones. “I am on my way to the vicarage to call on Mr. Wharton. Now, if you will excuse me.”
    He turned, and with Trinket by his side, departed; a stunned and angry Aunt Brampton staring openmouthed after him.
    “ Well ! Did you hear that ? Never in my life have I heard such callous disregard for the tragically deceased!”
    “On the contrary, Aunt Brampton,” Katherine