Lord Dearborn's Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page A

replied Rosalind with uncharacteristic cynicism. "She certainly did not overextend herself on your room, here or at home." She glanced about at the tiny chamber and its mismatched furnishings with a small frown. "If it were not for Papa, she might well have tried to house you in the garret."
    Ellie chuckled again. "You must not think I mind, truly. Though a garret would be more romantic, don't you think? Do not all the novel heroines live in one before their Prince Charming appears?"
    But Rosalind had apparently rehearsed what she meant to say and would not be dissuaded. "Still, I hope to persuade her to buy you a new gown today. You might as well make the most of being in London, and a new gown could be just the thing to attract a gentleman."
    "Your mother will hardly thank me if I lure away any of your suitors," Ellie pointed out, though the very thought of any man looking at her while Rosalind was in the same room struck her as absurd.
    "I cannot very well marry all of them," said Rosalind, her troubled tone implying that she would far rather not marry any of them. "Besides, I am certain you do not wish to remain dependent on Mama and Papa forever."
    Rosalind's perceptiveness rather surprised Ellie. Her cousin, while sweet-natured and affectionate, could not generally be said to possess an understanding of the first order. What she said was true, however; Ellie knew that her post as Aunt Mabel's drudge would become far more irksome once Rosalind left for a home of her own.
    "Don't worry, Rosie," she said after a brief pause. "If some duke does not carry me off to his castle this Season, I can always go to my grandfather in Ireland."
    "Lord Kerrigan? Have you finally heard from him, then?" Rosalind was momentarily diverted from her purpose.
    "Well, no," honesty forced her to say. "I've only had the one letter from my uncle, Lord Clairmont, his heir. That was shortly after my parents..." She swallowed before continuing. "He said then that my grandfather was ill, but surely he'd have written again if he had died. Grandfather always had a fondness for me and, ill or not, he would allow me to live at Kerribrooke, I feel certain." Her face took on a dreamy, faraway expression as she remembered the picturesque estate in Ireland where she had spent so many childhood summers.
    "Still, I think it would be even better if one of the kind gentlemen we have met were to offer for you," said Rosalind, returning doggedly to her plan. "However would you find a husband in the wilds of Ireland?"
    "You have been listening too much to your mother, Rosie," admonished Ellie. "I do not consider marriage the be-all and end-all to life, as she does."  
    Rosalind regarded her with a certain wistfulness. "Well, if you do not go to Ireland and you don't wish to marry, you can stay with me after I do, as my companion. In truth, Ellie, I am not certain I could manage without you!"
    Ellie thought of Rosalind married to Lord Dearborn, still the most favoured (by Aunt Mabel, at least) of her suitors, with herself in the role of a dependant in his household. Slowly, she shook her head. "It is sweet of you to say so, Rosie, but I think not. I shall enjoy my vicarious London Season and dance at your wedding, and then I shall go to Kerribrooke. It is the wisest course, I think."  
     
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    "Mama, would not this primrose silk look lovely on Ellie?" asked Rosalind later that day in an effort to fulfill her earlier promise. "It would set off her dark hair admirably."
    Mrs. Winston-Fitts turned from her inspection of some new French laces. "Whyever would she need such a gown?" she asked in some irritation. Elinor was not in her good graces at the moment, for she had done a very poor job on an embroidered edging for one of Rosalind's new gowns. She had forgotten, when she had asked her niece to do it, that needlework was by no means Elinor's strong suit.
    "Why, she could wear it to our dinner party next week," said