Curricle & Chaise Read Online Free PDF

the music master was expected.
    ‘I am perfectly convinced of my taste,’ murmured Captain Churchman, moving closer to Lydia to examine the embroidery in her hand. ‘And you well know it, Miss Abdale.’
    The fiendish Mr Swales at that moment being announced, Julia reluctantly vacated her place and made her way to the door.
    ‘I suppose I must try to keep your approbation and concentrate on my lesson, though it robs you of my presence, Captain Churchman.’
    ‘But Miss Barrington – surely she does not study also?’
    ‘Lord, no. Lydia can have no use for a music master.’
    ‘Then if Miss Barrington does not object to it I should be delighted if she would ramble in the shrubbery with me until such time as the maestro has done his worst and releases you from his clutches. It is a monstrous fine day for November. I am sure the fresh air will do us the world of good.’
    Lydia required no further invitation.
    ‘I should be more than happy to join you, Captain Churchman. I delight in being out of doors – the more so on days like this. I find there is nothing more guaranteed to raise the spirits than a light breeze on a clear blue day. Allow me to fetch my mantle and I shall be with you in a trice.’
    Turning their steps towards the shrubbery Lydia indeed felt brighter than she had done for several weeks. Her companion made even a commonplace remark about the weather entertaining, and followed this up with a vivid description of how the rains had affected the local cows that month.
    ‘For you see, Miss Barrington,’ he smiled, glancing sideways at her in what she could only feel was a somewhat rakish manner. ‘An old soldier must gain his amusements where he can. If I am to be neglected by my more charming neighbours then I must make the best of what entertainment there is – and cows are such attractive creatures, don’t you find?’
    ‘At least the animals cannot answer back. This, I have heard, is the largest drawback to female company experienced by most of your sex.’
    ‘My dear Miss Barrington, you do yourself an injustice. Do not entertain for one moment the thought that female conversation palls. I am mightily amused by it always, I assure you – particularly when delivered by a female as bright and attractive as you. Having debated the matter in my own head for quite some time I am finally quite convinced of it – I much prefer the company of the female of our own species to that of any other animal you could name.’
    ‘Am I supposed to feel flattered, Captain Churchman?’
    ‘It is not meant as flattery.’
    She shot him a quick glance and found his gaze upon her yet again. His grey eyes glittered in the sunshine but there was a smile on his face that made him appear almost childlike.
    ‘I fear you are teasing me,’ she scolded, turning hurriedly to examine some particularly noticeable berries on a tree. ‘I am not one to succumb to flattery, however – you must do better than that if you wish to impress me.’
    ‘But in what way do I flatter? I say no more than is the truth, after all. Though my schooling was not of the finest (I was sorely inattentive, I very much regret to say) I am of the firm opinion that to flatter is to exaggerate – and I am not exaggerating when I call you quite charming.’
    The appeal of the berries was such that they demanded Lydia’s closest attention. This was pe rhaps fortunate, as it denied Captain Churchman the opportunity of ascertaining the effects of his words on the colour of her face.
    ‘You are too kind. You will not find me charming when I scold you for saying too much.’
    ‘Then I shall deny you the necessity – I will tease you no more, I promise you.’
    They rambled through the shrubbery in silence for a minute or two, each wrapped in their own thoughts. Lydia was wondering why it was that, though Captain Churchman was certainly the most charming young man of her acquaintance, with the easiest manners in the world, she was feeling