Holiday House Parties Read Online Free PDF Page B

peered dubiously at the two of them for a moment, but promptly became convinced of Caroline’s sincerity, for the girl truly seemed unperturbed by Sir Archibald’s presence. Maud, like Archie, sighed in relief. “Then come, both of you,” she said, putting an arm about the waist of each of the no-longer-betrotheds (while casting an it’s-going-to-be-all-right look at her daughter over her shoulder) and leading them to the tea table. “Let’s forget about it and all have some tea.”
    For Geordie, the tea party proved to be a very revealing gathering. It gave him a hint of the romantic undercurrents that would play themselves out during this holiday. The scholarly-looking Mr. Dawlish, for instance, immediately sat himself down beside Caroline and engaged her in deep conversation, making it clear to Geordie that the fellow intended to try to win for himself the girl that Archie had lost. Archie, however, gave no further thought to Caroline. He immediately sat down beside Bella, whose cheeks were still somewhat pale from shock, ready to use all his limited verbal powers to convince Bella that his former engagement to Caroline no longer had any significance for him. And, on the other side of the tea table, the horsey Miss Dawlish and the delicate Lady Jane Grevemont sat together, eyeing Geordie interestedly. Which one, the Scotsman wondered, did his aunt intend for him to pursue? Or was he supposed to flirt with both of them?
    For the moment, however, he intended to flirt with neither one. If his aunt wanted him to flirt, he—if he were completely honest with himself—would have to admit that he’d prefer a flirtation with Caroline Woolcott to either of the others. But he didn’t have to involve himself with any of them yet. There was time. Seven long days lay ahead of him.
    With his teacup and saucer in hand, he stood apart, an observer rather than a participant. He watched Archie worming his way back into Bella’s good graces. He watched Lady Powell trying to prevent her pot-bellied husband from overindulging in the iced cakes Aunt Maud had lavishly supplied. But mostly he watched Douglas Dawlish converse with Caroline. His eyes turned to them with annoying frequency. The subject of their conversation must have been serious, for their heads were close and their expressions earnest and unsmiling. Geordie wondered what it was that so engrossed them. Something scholarly, he had no doubt. Geordie himself would be perfectly capable of holding a scholarly discussion with her, he told himself, if she’d give him the chance. He gnashed his teeth, remembering how she’d assumed he hadn’t read the Antigone . What did she think he did at Oxford, nothing but carouse?
    Suddenly Douglas Dawlish rose from his seat to refill his cup. Geordie, almost without conscious intent, promptly strode across the room and took his place. The Scotsman was merely following an irresistible urge to speak to Caroline again. He took the vacated chair (much to Mr. Dawlish’s chagrin), smiled down at the girl in a conciliatory manner, and said quietly, “That was very well done, Miss Woolcott.”
    She met his eye calmly. “What was well done, my lord?”
    â€œThe way ye dealt with the introductions. Ye rode over a difficult moment with great aplomb. Another lass might’ve asked Archie to remove himself from this gathering, which he, as a gentleman, would’ve had to do. Ye showed great forbearance.”
    â€œDid I indeed?” she responded coldly, lowering her eyes to her tea and stirring it vigorously.
    He did not miss the coldness. “Are ye indeedin ’ me again, Miss Woolcott?” he teased, putting down his cup on a nearby table in order to enable himself to give full attention to charming her. “Does that mean ye still find me presumin’?”
    â€œVery presuming,” she said flatly.
    â€œIndeed? In what way, ma’am?”
    She looked