Gayle Buck Read Online Free PDF Page A

you in London, but of course I should have realized.”
    Lady Basinberry asked pointedly, “I assume that you are well-acquainted with this gentleman, Michele?”
    “Pray forgive me, Lady Basinberry. In the instant of meeting an old friend, I forget my manners,” Michele said. “Lady Basinberry, this is Sir Lionel Corbett. Sir Lionel, my aunt. And my cousin, Miss Lydia Davenport.’’
    The gentleman pressed Michele’s fingers warmly before letting go her hand. He bowed low in the saddle to the ladies, his carefully disordered locks glinting fiery gold in the sun. “It is indeed a pleasure, my lady. Miss Davenport, your servant! I recall that Madame du Bois spoke with affection of her English family, and upon meeting you this morning, I can readily understand why she should,” he said with a wide smile.
    Lady Basinberry was not entirely proof against his obvious charm. She unbent enough to bestow the slightest of smiles upon him. “Indeed! So you are acquainted with my sister, sir?”
    “Sir Lionel was an officer in the Duke of Wellington’s cavalry and was among those who could be counted upon to even up a lopsided dinner party,” Michele said with a laugh.
    Sir Lionel shot an intent look in her direction. “Quite true! I was but one of your niece’s large circle of admirers. But how is it that you come to be in London, Michele? When last I spoke with you, you were quite determined to remain in Brussels. My hopes were quite dashed, if you will recall.”
    Michele felt her face warm at his pointed reminder of their last communication. It had been difficult to turn down his passionately phrased proposal of marriage. She was glad to note that her voice was completely steady. “My dear parents thought it time for me to become acquainted with the English branch of the family, and also with England. And you, Sir Lionel? You are not still in the army?”
    “Not I. I resigned my commission the instant I set foot back in jolly old England. I have become an idler, as you see,” Sir Lionel said cheerfully, gesturing at himself. The scarlet riding coat he wore was of superfine cloth and was accented with bright gilt buttons. Its excellent cut molded tightly to his form and obviously owed nothing to buckram padding of the shoulders. His pantalooned legs were encased in high riding boots with the immaculate white tops that had been introduced by that former leader of gentlemen’s fashion, Mr. Brummel. His moderately high starched shirt points rose out of a cravat tied with a degagé style that set the final stamp on a somewhat dandified appearance. Yet there was a sense of alertness about his neat figure that hinted at great physical power even through the mask of indolence he affected.
    Michele smiled and shook her head. “That I do not believe. You will not have given up your sporting. As I recall, you had an ambition to raise the finest jumpers in the isles.”
    Sir Lionel smiled and there was a softened light in his eyes. “I am flattered that you should remember.” He turned his gaze on Lady Basinberry and Lydia, who had been listening to the exchange with patent interest. “I shall take my leave for now, but I hope that we shall meet again. If it is not too forward of me, I should like to call on you one day.”
    Lady Basinberry gave her hand to him in a friendly fashion. “Pray do so, Sir Lionel. I am persuaded that we would enjoy your company.” At Sir Lionel’s query, she gave him the direction to the Davenport residence. Sir Lionel bowed once more and sent a familiar grin in Michele’s direction before he cantered off.
    The landau started forward once more. Lydia could not contain herself. “Michele, he is simply divine. Such elegance and presence. Why ever did you not tell us that you were acquainted with such a fine gentleman?”
    “I did not know that I would be meeting Sir Lionel,” Michele said, frowning slightly. It had not previously occurred to her, but naturally she would chance upon some of