Loving Lady Marcia Read Online Free PDF Page B

darling. There are all kinds of eligible young bucks asking after you here in London. How many more years must Daddy fend them off?”
    “But I’m headmistress now,” Marcia reminded her gently.
    Mama had the grace to look abashed. “That’s a very important position. And you’re so young. The youngest headmistress they’ve ever had.” A gleam of pride lit her cerulean-blue eyes. “Lord Ennis saw what Daddy and I see: You’re a born leader.”
    “Thank you, Mama. The truth is I don’t miss those young bucks. I’m perfectly happy where I am.”
    Mama squeezed her hand. “Then I’m happy for you.”
    But Marcia knew her parents, much as they supported her, wished to see her married and settled. It was an underlying point of conflict that had existed between them since the day she’d refused their offer of a debut in London, complete with an appearance at Court, after she’d finished her studies at Oak Hall. Instead, to her parents’ dismay, she’d asked for, and been granted, a small party at Ballybrook in the summer, followed by a modest ball in Dublin.
    And then she’d shocked them all by returning to Oak Hall to teach.
    A servant brought in a lovely tea tray, and her mother began the old, comforting ritual of pouring tea—Daddy’s favorite Irish blend—chatting all the while about Marcia’s siblings. Gregory enjoyed being a man-about-town but also worked with Daddy several days a week on house designs. Peter fancied himself a Corinthian and loitered around Tattersall’s and Gentleman Jackson’s with his friends. Janice had made her debut and presentation at Court several weeks before, and the whole household was at sixes and sevens attempting to keep up with all her gentleman callers; Robert was home because he was between halves at Eton, and Cynthia was mad for Greek mythology and had asked Mama to call her Andromeda.
    While she listened, Marcia reflected that she was as happy as one could be when one had sworn off romantic love. Now she could focus on everyone else—her family, friends, teaching staff, and students—and not her own paltry affairs of the heart.
    But she could use that cup of tea to calm her rattled nerves. She was still stunned— mortified —at her extreme reaction at seeing Lord Chadwick. She’d been barely civil to him. Something deep inside her that she’d thought long dormant had woken up at the sight of his face, something that went beyond that vindication she’d been after.
    Funny. He’d become even more handsome over the years—and somehow, more youthful. The old stodginess was gone. She wondered how he’d managed that. Probably becoming a father had had much to do with it. Perhaps he’d even been in love with the boy’s mother, and the experience had softened his heart.
    Marcia was dying to learn more details about the situation, but she daren’t ask. She reminded herself she’d no need to. Lord Chadwick wasn’t her concern, and she was no gossip.
    “I’ll box some of these up for you to take home,” Mama said, and held up a plate brimming with currant buns.
    Home .
    It touched her to know Mama appreciated that she’d carved out a life for herself. She was a grown woman with her own hopes and dreams, and she was pursuing them, wasn’t she?
    Marcia allowed herself to take a certain satisfaction at the memory of Lord Chadwick, who’d once ignored her so thoroughly, practically chasing her down the street.
    It felt good to be in charge. It felt even better to allow no one to hurt her, ever again.
    She was reaching for a currant bun when a sweet-faced maid she’d never met came to the door. “I beg your pardon, my lady.” She curtsied to Mama and looked shyly at Marcia. “A Lady Ennis has called to see you, Lady Marcia. She says she has a matter of business she’d like to discuss with you in private. Burbank placed her in the drawing room. He says he’ll send her away if you’d like to continue your tea uninterrupted.”
    Marcia felt a jolt of