June Calvin Read Online Free PDF

your father. So that is how the duke gave your father his bride. And did I understand you to say he returned the favor?”
    Davida nodded. “A year later he accompanied my father to visit a relative who had some exotic sheep for sale. There His Grace met my father’s second cousin and fell in love with her. Though he was only eighteen, he determined to marry her or no one.”
    “So young! And pray tell, how did Lord Stephen take that?”
    “He took it very badly, as you can imagine, and not just because of his son’s age. Cousin Eleanor, like my father, was the offspring of a mere country squire, far below the notice of the heir to a dukedom. The match was forbidden. The duke introduced his son to many eligible females, and even tried to arrange a marriage, but without success.”
    “For three years they waited for one another. On the day of his majority Viscount Barton had the banns cried in our parish church, and they were wed three weeks later.”
    “Did his father come to accept her?” Pelham’s curiosity was obviously as great as his mother’s.
    “Not for some time. He refused to even meet her until . . .” Davida’s cheeks pinked and she stumbled a bit. “That is . . . when she began increasing. The old duke was dying, and most eager for his son to have an heir, so he relented. He died before Sarah was born, however.”
    “I suppose in a way that’s to the good.” At Davida’s questioning look, Pelham explained, “If he had not died, he would have been most disappointed in a daughter, I expect. And I believe Sarah is the only child?”
    “Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, he would have been devastated if there had been no heir. But there is a younger brother, remember. By now he has three sons, so Harwood has no concerns about the succession.”
    “That is a charming story, my dear, and it certainly sets my mind at ease about introducing you to Sally Jersey. The granddaughter of an earl and a near connection of a duke, with a war hero for a father, certainly need not fear to apply for vouchers for Almack’s.” Lady Pelham rang for tea, and asked Davida to pour.
    Although it was quite unexceptionable for Pelham’s mother to ask a guest to pour when her own hands were so crippled, Davida was aware by the keen way Lady Pelham watched her that she was still on trial. However, after she acquitted herself gracefully at this task, the dowager seemed much satisfied. As she was rising to leave, Lady Pelham assured her, “I will ask Lady Jersey to call on me, and introduce you at the Stanhope ball. She will be quick to see your merit.”
    Tears stood in Davida’s eyes at the kindness she saw expressed in Lady Pelham’s face. “Thank you, ma’am. I shall do my very best to deserve your patronage.”
    “A very prettily behaved child, Monty. In future you must be more careful how you involve others in your lovers’ quarrels!” After this stern admonition, Lady Pelham waved them away with a smile.
    When Lord Pelham had returned her to her anxiously waiting parents, Davida was pleased to be able to give them a favorable report. She had won over Lady Pelham. But still to be answered was whether that grande dame could win over the rest of the
ton
.
    Davida’s father was quite perturbed when he learned that his daughter was in danger of being considered Lord Pelham’s fancy piece. He almost forbade her to have anything more to do with her new friend. Her mother had to exert herself considerably to talk him around.
    With a good deal of trepidation Davida prepared herself as best she could for the Stanhope ball, where she might be received into the very highest levels of society—or where she might receive the cut direct from everyone!

Chapter Four
    D avida was promised to Lady D’Alatri that Thursday evening, to attend a lecture on mesmerism. When she returned, Perry informed her that her parents wished to see her in the library.
    The library was her father’s sanctuary, away from the crocodile