Carola Dunn Read Online Free PDF Page A

the ends of the earth. In any case, he must seek her out privately to assure her that she need fear no scandalous revelation from his lips.
    As it happened, his continued silence had already reassured Rebecca on that head. Neither by word nor by look had he so much as hinted at having seen her en extreme déshabille. She was grateful, but nonetheless embarrassed by his presence. She also found him even more intimidating than his brother.
    She mused on this when she retired to her chamber, shortly after dinner and long before the gentlemen joined the ladies in the drawing-room. Lord John was taller than the viscount, to be sure, though not by much, and broader in the shoulders. Yet it was not so much his size that disturbed her: after all her uncle, who terrified her, was not a large man. It was his air of vitality, perhaps, the sense of boundless vigour barely held in check.
    Muriel had intimated that her brother-in-law’s energies were chiefly expended on such frivolous pursuits as gambling, drinking and wenching. However, Rebecca had seen no signs of the flabbiness of dissipation. On the contrary, Lord John possessed a splendidly muscular figure as well as a face certain to guarantee success with any number of wenches.
    Taken one by one, his features were very like Cousin Tom’s, but whereas Tom’s expression in repose was definitely haughty, John’s liveliness made a quite different impression. It attracted Rebecca even as she fled him.
    She had just slipped into bed when there was a light knock on the door and Muriel came in.
    “I just wanted to make sure you are all right, Beckie. You may make nothing of it but it must have been the horridest experience. John has been making us all laugh with his description of his valet’s disgust at the condition of his clothes. It seems that Pierce made John promise that if he ever again jumps into a river he will not do so in a coat from Weston.”
    “Oh dear, I had not thought, his things must be quite spoiled. That is a poor reward for his gallantry in saving me.”
    “I assure you he does not regard it in the least. You must not suppose that because he is a younger son he is purse-pinched. His allowance from the duke is excessively generous. Besides, Tom says he is amazingly lucky in his gaming and wagering on horse-races and prize-fights and such. He may be a scapegrace, as Tom calls him, but he is very droll and always ready to laugh at himself. I wish you had stayed to hear his joking.”
    “I was a little tired.”
    “John asked if you were indisposed. How he defended you against Mama’s reproaches! I do believe that having rescued you once he considers himself your champion.”
    “I hope not. I promise you I was in no need of his help with Cousin Adelaide. I ought to have gone down this afternoon, as she said.”
    “Nonsense, it was I who insisted that you stay abed, and Mama managed very well without you. Now I must let you sleep. Good-night, my dear.”
     
    Rebecca woke early the next morning, much refreshed. She dressed and went down, but as she approached the breakfast room she heard three masculine voices within: Lord Danville, Lord John and Mr. Bevan. Though she would have liked a cup of tea, she decided to wait until after her walk. She fetched Buttercup and set out in the opposite direction from the river.
    The sun was shining and a breeze from the west carried a hint of spring warmth. The meadows were sprigged with clumps of pale pink lady’s smock and golden kingcups spangled the banks of the dykes.
    Rebecca felt she could walk to the end of the world. When she turned back, reluctantly, she had to hurry so as to be there when she was needed. She reached the house to find the gentlemen gone, their place in the breakfast room taken by Muriel and Cousin Adelaide.
    She joined them. Her appetite sharpened by the exercise, she requested a slice of ham with her toast.
    “I see you are quite recovered,” observed Lady Parr with rare approval. “If you ate