Lauren's Dilemma Read Online Free PDF

are
different in the country,” her husband hastened to reassure. “Besides, hard
work never hurt anyone.”
    “Well, all
I can say is thank the dear Lord Helen is sensible enough to want to live in Melbourne. Blair will have
to sell his farm. No daughter of mine could live in the back of beyond. It's so
uncivilized.”
    Uncivilized?   Laurie felt like yelling the word out but
kept her lips clamped shut. Chimneys belching out soot and smoke, slum houses
crowded together without an inch of space between them, what could be more
uncivilized than that?
    “Sir
Randolph McMillan's boy has been granted a Commission in the army.” Uncle
Richard changed the subject, and she flashed him a grateful smile. He was nice,
similar in appearance to her father, with the same thick grey hair. In a
tailored suit he epitomized the successful businessman.
    When they
were summoned to dinner, she followed her aunt and uncle to the dining room. A
large crystal chandelier hung directly in line with the center of the table.
Heavens, there was even electric lighting. At home they still used kerosene
lamps.
    A uniformed
maid served the soup, which was accompanied by a dry sherry. The following
course was salmon cutlets with caper sauce, steamed potatoes and green peas. A
dry white wine complemented this. They finished the meal with lemon sponge
pudding and sweet white wine.
    Fortunately
the courses had been served at a leisurely pace. Otherwise, the alcohol would
have affected her more. She felt only a little lightheaded now.
    They
partook of coffee in the sitting room. As soon as this was finished Laurie
excused herself. Imagine falling asleep on the expensive settee—she would be
damned by Aunt Jane for committing such a heinous sin.

 
 

 
 
    Chapter Three

 
    Tap, tap
tap. Three quick knocks on the door woke Laurie next morning. Glancing at the
gold antique wall clock, she was shocked at the time. Nine o'clock! Mary came
in carrying a tray containing a miniature silver teapot with matching milk jug
and sugar bowl. There were two breakfast rolls, a small dish of butter and some
marmalade jam.
    “Thank you,
Mary.” She smiled at the girl. She was only about thirteen or so, with plump
rosy cheeks and wavy brown hair tucked up into a white lace cap.
    “Would you
like a cooked breakfast, Miss?”
    “No, this
is nice, thanks.”
    When the
maid left, Laurie ate with a healthy young appetite. I'll have a walk around
the grounds before doing anything else.
    In less
than an hour she had bathed and dressed. Her cream colored blouse and chocolate
brown skirt looked frumpy and old-fashion compared to what Helen had worn
yesterday. There was no one around downstairs, so she headed outside to
explore.
    The
well-kept lawns were dotted with huge oaks and cypress pines. One oak tree had
a wooden seat encircling the trunk, and she sat here for a time watching the
antics of starlings and finches playing in the birdbath.
    She
accessed the beach by strolling through a white picket gate. Across the blue
waves, far in the distance, a liner steamed out to sea. She shivered now,
wrapping both arms about her body as protection against the cold wind blowing
in from the water. Inside the gate it had felt warmer, as the trees and hedges
offered some protection.
    You're an
idiot, Laurie Cunningham, for exploring without a coat. She jumped up and down
to warm up before returning indoors.
    Helen did
not put in an appearance until nearly lunchtime. Once again she was
immaculately attired in pale blue velvet. Captain Sinclair arrived for lunch.
Laurie’s heart gave a strange little flutter when he entered the room. He gave
a brief half-smile that softened the severe lines of his face. He wore his
arrogance well, and although he was not unpleasant, she knew that here was a
man used to giving orders and having them obeyed.
    “I left a
message for your friend and also made arrangements for him to be given a leave
pass if he doesn't already have one.”
    “Thank