Carola Dunn Read Online Free PDF Page A

advantage of birth and wealth, was a sickly, discontented brat. They--Michael and Peter, wasn’t it? --had displayed even in Ashe’s brief meeting with them a natural courtesy, a sturdy independence, and an admirable unselfishness. Hungry as they were, they had saved a scrap of their unexpected treat for their sister. The little one had even apologized for eating more than his share of the bounty purchased with his own penny.
    A pain in his “pudding-house,” poor child. Ashe felt a pang of sympathy in his own...stomach. Surely not in his heart? His heart had nothing to do with the case.
    “Good morning, Uncle Robert.” Colin bowed to him listlessly, then turned to his mother. “Mama, must I go with you? It is very dull at the dressmaker’s.”
    “You may sit and look at the pictures of pretty ladies in the pattern-books, darling.”
    Ashe discovered a sudden sympathy with his nephew.
    “Don’t want to! Anyway, they’re none of them as pretty as you.”
    “Darling child!” Daphne swooped upon her son with a kiss. “But I cannot leave you at home with no governess, my love. Come, make your bow to Lord Quentin and let us be off.”
    Colin glowered at Teague, his mouth set in a mutinous pout.
    “Well, never mind that,” Teague said with uneasy joviality. “By all means, let us be on our way.”
    But Colin caught his uncle’s eye and at last performed a grudging obeisance.
    “Tell you what,” said Ashe impulsively, “I’ll take you to the park this afternoon, old chap.”
    The boy’s face lit up, making Ashe at once glad he had made the offer and guilty that he did not spend more time with his nephew. But he knew the visit to the park would be hedged about with restrictions. No running with hoop or hobby-horse lest Colin grow breathless or overheated. No playing with chance-met children lest he catch an infection. No feeding the ducks lest he go too near the water, fall in, and take a chill.
    Which left a sedate stroll as the only possible activity. Ashe might have defied the prohibitions but that he knew all too well how easily Colin succumbed to every ailment under the sun. A healthy country life was what he needed.
    Yet however indecisive and persuadable on every other question, on that point Daphne stood firm. She would not entrust her precious son to the dowager Lady Ashe and old Nanny Bessemer, nor to any mere hired governess, however competent, except under her own eye. And one might as well expect Daphne to fly as to rusticate.
    At last left in peace with his breakfast, Ashe discovered he had lost his appetite. He drank a second cup of coffee while he read the political news, then repaired to his study to write some letters.
    After staring at a blank sheet of paper for some minutes, Ashe decided he was as much in need of fresh air and exercise as Colin. He would ride out to Hampstead Heath for a gallop this morning, instead of going to his club as planned. Sending for his horse and his valet, he went up to his chamber and changed into riding clothes.
    Attired in boots and buckskins, he turned at the door as he left. “Oh, by the way, Mills, will you clean out the middle drawer of my dressing-table? Burn the letters. The rest you may dispose of as you choose.”
    “Very good, my lord.”
    “Except the most recent acquisition. The handkerchief must be returned to its owner.”
    “Will you take it now, my lord? Or shall I send a footman to deliver it?”
    “No, no, no hurry. Let it stay where it is for the present.”
    And he went out to try to gallop the unfamiliar restlessness from his bones.
     

Chapter 3
     
    “The last two jam tarts are mostly crumbs,” Peter observed, setting out the scanty remains of the basketful on the rickety table.
    “I don’t mind,” said Michael eagerly. “They taste just as good.”
    “It will make them easier to divide into three,” his brother pointed out with some severity.
    Michael’s face fell. “Not the jammy bits.” After a momentary struggle with