Just One Season in London Read Online Free PDF

do such a thing… I have no desire…” Miranda swallowed the rest of the sentence. To see my daughter married to your selfish oaf of a son , she had been starting to say. What in heaven’s name was wrong with her tongue today that she’d almost insulted her hostess?
    â€œBecause I would have you know that his father and I have made plans for his marriage already,” Ann Eliza said firmly. “Summersby’s eldest daughter—a considerable heiress in her own right. The money comes from her mother’s side of the family, and the house that will be settled on her is only ten miles away from here.”
    â€œHow convenient,” Miranda managed to say.
    â€œYes, isn’t it? Eventually Randall and Flavia will join the two estates.”
    â€œWhy haven’t I heard this happy news before, Ann Eliza?”
    â€œOh, well, Lady Flavia’s only seventeen. She will make her formal come-out in a few weeks, as soon as the Season gets well started. It’s only fair for the girl to make her curtsy, after all, and have a bit of fun before settling down. But there’s been an understanding for years now between Summersby and Brindle. I expect that by June we’ll have a wedding.”
    â€œMy congratulations.”
    â€œYes, I’m well pleased to have that settled. She’s such a biddable girl too—delightfully accommodating. I only wish I had a daughter of my own. Such fun it would be to match her up. After all, there’s young Carrisbrooke, right here in the neighborhood. He’s not reached marriageable age, of course, but in another year or two, when he reaches his majority—”
    â€œAnd his estate is even closer—and larger—than Lady Flavia’s,” Miranda put in acidly before her common sense kicked in.
    â€œYes, just three miles away… and an abbey. It would be so convenient to have my daughter right at hand and to have her be a countess as well. However, there’s no sense crying over spilt milk; it wasn’t meant to be. But I shall enjoy having a daughter-in-love—helping her set up her household, advising her as to the best way to go about things.”
    Miranda couldn’t help wondering if Ann Eliza’s assistance would be as welcome as she expected.
    Ann Eliza refilled her glass and selected another cake. “It seems to me you’ll have your hands full presenting your Sophie, when the time comes. Surely you’re not going to try this year, Miranda? It seems to me that more seasoning would be wise. Of course she’s old enough and foolishly pretty—just as you were. But Blackett tells me she’s something of a hoyden as well. He said she actually jumped from the carriage.”
    â€œI’m surprised your butler thought it necessary to mention that Sophie slipped on the carriage step.”
    â€œ Jumped ,” Ann Eliza went on ruthlessly, “and she practically knocked her hat off as well. My word, Miranda, how you are going to deal with a young miss like that one…”
    At least, Miranda thought, Ann Eliza had distracted herself from the original question. “She only slipped because Lord Randall’s horse startled her.”
    â€œYou mean she isn’t familiar with horses? I thought he must be funning when he said that. I never thought a daughter of yours would be anything but a bruising rider.”
    â€œShe rides very well indeed. Speaking of riding,” Miranda added carelessly, “I wonder, Ann Eliza, if you will lend me a mount and a groom. Tomorrow, perhaps? I have a fancy to ride over some of the old paths and revisit the places I knew as a girl.”
    â€œBy all means. I’ll send a message to the head stableman. But your plan sounds like fun, my dear. Perhaps I’ll come along. We can take the carriage out and relive our youth together. No?” She laughed. “You looked quite put out for a moment. What are you up to, I wonder,