Holiday House Parties Read Online Free PDF

seventeenth century. It was set on a slight rise and made a commanding presence in the landscape, with its impressive facade flanked by the two extended wings, which formed the court that gave the house its name. Archie gaped at the facade’s double stairways that went off in opposite directions only to meet again at the doorway on top. “Look, Geordie, the stairs are just like ours at Halford Grange!” he said in tones of awe, as if the similarity of facade of the two houses had some sort of mystical significance.
    Aunt Maud and Cousin Bella were waiting for them at the top of the steps. Aunt Maud enveloped her nephew in an enthusiastic embrace, while Cousin Bella, blushing shyly, offered Archie a trembling hand in greeting. Then the new arrivals, without being permitted to take the time to change from their travel dress, were borne off to the sitting room where several of the other guests sat taking tea. The two gentlemen were promptly introduced to the assemblage, a group that seemed to Geordie at first glance to be a rather colorless lot. It consisted of one elderly couple—Lord and Lady Powell, his aunt’s dearest friends—and several young friends of his cousin Bella, none of whom was above twenty-five years of age. Aunt Maud introduced her young guests one by one. There was, first, a Miss Emmaline Dawlish—a young lady severely gowned in brown-and-rust striped muslin, with a horsey face and a deep, rumbling laugh. Beside her was her brother Douglas Dawlish, a serious young man with an already-receding hairline and a look of penetrating intellect. Next came Lady Jane Grevemont—a willowy, slender, delicate girl wearing a pale blue silk gown and a wan smile.
    â€œThe only one who seems to be missing,” Maud said, concluding her round of introductions, “is Caro.”
    â€œHere I am,” came a voice behind her, and all eyes turned toward a diminutive figure in the doorway. It was a young woman with a pair of brilliant brown eyes, glowing hair that curled round her face in an auburn cloud, and a lithe figure whose slim charm was emphasized by a clinging gown of rose-colored lustring. Geordie blinked at her in admiration, for in that lackluster company her luminous appearance lit up the room. But Archie, gasping audibly, threw his friend a glance of utter dismay. It took Geordie another moment before he realized that the girl in the doorway was Archie’s erstwhile intended, the shrewish Caroline Woolcott.
    â€œAh, Caro, my love,” Aunt Maud said in fond greeting, taking the girl by the arm and drawing her into the room, “you’re just in time to meet my nephew and his friend. This is Lord Dunvegan, whom everyone calls Geordie. And this is—”
    â€œI know the gentleman quite well, Lady Teale,” Caroline said with perfect composure. “Archie Halford and I were once betrothed.”
    Aunt Maud’s whole body tensed. “B-betrothed?” she gasped, horrified.
    Bella’s breath seemed to leave her body in a whoosh. “Betrothed?” she echoed in a whisper.
    Lady Teale looked from her daughter to Archie in distraction. Poor Archie was red with embarrassment. Everyone else in the room was watching the scene in silent fascination. Maud, aware of the tension in the situation, knew she had to do something but had no idea how to proceed. She turned back to Caroline. “Oh, dear,” she mumbled helplessly, “How very … awkward …”
    â€œNot at all,” Caroline assured her with a smile. “Please don’t be afraid that Archie and I are in the least discomposed. Our short relationship ended without bitterness and is quite in the past. I see no reason for us to be awkward with each other; do you, Archie?”
    Archie expelled a breath of relief. “No, not if you don’t,” he said, his brow clearing. He took her hand and bowed over it. “How good to see you, Caroline.”
    Lady Teale