Lady Barbara's Dilemma Read Online Free PDF Page A

differ. It was clear that Wardour was a Tory, but one, Barbara realized, with a genuine concern for his people that went generations deep. It was obvious that he had compassion for the working classes, and although his political solutions seemed illogical to her, she was more than happy to change the subject when a major disagreement loomed.
    Whenever the marquess approached her for a dance, while her heart might not leap up, it gave a most decidedly satisfying flutter. Their waltzes lived up to the promise of the first one. Wardour’s touch was delightful, whether on the dance floor or helping her up into his curricle, and she went to bed wondering what it would feel like when he finally kissed her. For she knew he would, and she knew if it wasn’t in the next few days, she could most probably maneuver them onto a private balcony to speed things along.
    In the meantime, she was also enjoying her developing friendship with David Treves. They had gotten into the habit of attending a musicale at least once a week, accompanied by one or another of their mutual acquaintances. And when Barbara discovered while she was out with her groom that David was fond of early morning rides, she suggested meeting in the park one day a week. Usually after an invigorating gallop, they would walk their horses and talk nonstop about anything and everything, for they had become fast friends.
    On one particular morning David, who had happened to attend the same rout the previous evening, teased Barbara about the gossip he had been hearing. “I have heard that the odds are in favor of a betrothal before the end of the Season between Lady Barbara Stanley and the Marquess of Wardour. Would I be premature in congratulating you?” he asked with a teasing grin.
    “Much too premature. We haven’t even kissed yet,” she replied without thinking. Her hand flew up to her mouth in horror at what she had said.
    David laughed out loud.
    “Oh, David, you are too dangerous to be with,” confessed Barbara. “I feel so comfortable with you that I don’t think before I speak. I talk to you just as I used to talk to Judith. I suppose, having blurted that out, I must either pretend that I didn’t or explain.”
    “Am I to understand from your previous statement, Lady Barbara,” said David with mock solemnity, “that you honestly will admit the matter of kissing into your decision-making about an eligible suitor?”
    “It isn’t just my decision, you know.”
    “Oh, but the man will ask you, Barbara. The signs are all there. The question is rather what you will answer. And does your answer depend on how well he kisses?”
    “I think I will answer him ‘yes,’ and yes, I think my answer will partly depend on how I feel when he kisses me. For I have already told you that Judith and Robin are my models in this. I’ve been spoiled in that the two people closest to me have found marriages where passion plays a prominent part.”
    “Yes, I have become quite envious myself, listening to you,” said David, albeit with a trace of cynicism in his voice.
    “And what of you, my friend. It is your turn to be embarrassed. Is there anyone in your life whom you have been kissing or wanting to kiss?”
    “Now, Lady Barbara, you are aware, although it is not spoken of in polite company—but then we have agreed not to be polite—that most men have some woman in their lives whom they have been…ah…kissing.”
    “You will not put me to the blush again, David. Of course I know that. And of course you know what I was talking about. Is there anyone you care about? Have you thought of marriage yet?”
    “Oh, I’ve thought of it. My grandfather and father will let me think of nothing else,” he replied bitterly.
    “This sounds like a sensitive topic. I am sorry I teased you about it, David. You need not continue,” said Barbara with ready sympathy. “Close friends need to respect privacy as well as share intimacies, you know.”
    “No, I don’t mind