Lady Madeline's Folly Read Online Free PDF

errands and small jobs for her, but was equally helpful in relieving him of certain duties that were unpalatable or impossible for a bachelor. She quite often made up his guest lists for balls or parties, advised him how best to amuse visiting maiden relatives, or amused them for him if he was too busy. It was a very agreeable friendship, which she had not the least intention of losing, or changing in any way. She would sorely miss Eskott if he dropped her, but that was not even remotely likely in her view.
    She returned to her desk and drew out a clean sheet of paper. She inscribed Henry’s name at the top, and began listing his requirements:
    1. Suitable residence (cheap)
    2. Toilette—jackets, evening clothes, gloves (see Taffy Barker)
    3. Clubs—non-gambling
    4. Transportation.
    Did he have a decent mount, carriage, money to provide them if he had not? She soon realized that Henry’s largest need was for money to provide these necessities.
    As she began listing possibilities, she remembered Captain Hopper, and completed the note to Robert Dundas. She stuck it beneath the list, and forgot it. A new protégé often had this effect of making her forget trivialities, and even of shrinking duties assumed to the inconsequence of trivialities, in her mind.
     

Chapter Four
     
    The meetings and rumors of a new government continuedover the next week, but as nothing definite was accomplished, Lady Madeline was free to begin her transformation of Mr. Henry Aldred. Lord Eskott, who ran into him more than once on St. James’s Street, cast a blighting stare on the young man, and was at pains to make him look uninformed, which was not difficult in those early days.
    Aldred had been accompanied by Taffy Barker when he appeared at Lady Madeline’s door for his second meeting. Barker was a town beau whose sole accomplishment was that he was “up to all the rigs,” in a social sense. He had not managed to squander the fortune left him by his father, nor to alienate the large circle of friends his mother’s predominant social position entitled him to. He went to all the right parties, and a good many of the wrong ones. He drove a snappy yellow curricle harnessed up to a prize pair of grays; he was turned out by Weston, belonged to the best clubs, and was accepted everywhere.
    That was about the sum and total of his life. He was tall, painfully thin, and noticeably ugly, with a face as narrow as a razor blade. What he admired most in other people was a handsome appearance. With such lax requirements in his giving of friendship, he was frequently taken advantage of. Lady Madeline had every intention of imposing on his good nature to help her turn Henry out in style.
    “Lady Madeline, always a pleasure,” he said as he entered her saloon.
    He was greeted with no more than a fleeting smile. The lady’s interest was on her cousin. How handsome he looked beside Taffy! Better than she had remembered. And how poorly outfitted! Worse than she remembered.
    “How are you enjoying your visit, Cousin?” she inquired, pointing to a pair of chairs facing her.
    “Very much indeed. Taffy is showing me the sights. We took in a visit to Jackson’s Boxing Parlour yesterday afternoon, and a play last night. We have just come from the Daffy Club—a famous place for members of the Fancy.”
    She nodded, having no interest in these things, but only in getting on with his lessons. Taffy felt obliged to inquire for Lord Fordwich and a few of Madeline’s relatives, which prompted her to ask for the health of his mother and sister. This done, she got down to business. Had Aldred given any thought to her suggestion in the matter of his career? Indeed he was greatly interested, but could not like to impose on her good nature, and her time.
    “Not just her good nature. Lady Madeline’s hobby horse,” Taffy mentioned. “Be a jolly good thing for you, Henry. The makings of you. Lady Madeline’s fellows always advance on the double.”
    Henry looked