Miss Cresswell's London Triumph Read Online Free PDF

that you don't need rosettes and ruchings to disguise your flaws." Frances smiled fondly at her younger sister.
    "Oh, give over. Fanny, do. You know that brunettes are all the rage and blondes sadly out of fashion now. At any rate, blondes are supposed to have complexions of peaches and cream." Cassie made a face in the gilt-framed mirror over the fireplace. "And despite the quantities of almond paste that Rose insists I use on them, my freckles will persist in appearing." Here Cassie wrinkled a beautifully straight nose, whose only flaw was its light sprinkling of freckles. Though it was not a face that exhibited the rosebud lips, velvet brown eyes, and delicately rounded chin that were all the rage, it was one that reflected far more character than those commonly encountered. The eyes were a brilliant dark sapphire, revealing a sparkle of humor in their depths which had disconcerted more than one self-satisfied young buck. Her hair was gold rather than blond and showed a definite tendency to break out into curls unless taken severely to task. The chin was a trifle determined for the taste of most amorous swains, but its challenge was softened by a generous mouth that hinted at a passionate nature below the surface. It was a vivacious face, which created a first impression of vitality and interest, and it caught the attention of those sensitive or clever enough to recognize the intelligence and strength of character that lay behind it. But even those who failed to appreciate the promise of a keen mind and a lively sense of humor rated Lady Cassandra Cresswell a very taking thing.
    "Papa!" Teddy leaped up, threatening the equilibrium of the cake stand for the second time.
    "Hello, Teddy, my boy. Did you have a good journey?" Lord Julian Mainwaring, Marquess of Camberly's somewhat forbidding countenance broke into a smile as he surveyed the little group around the fire. Handing his many-caped greatcoat to the hovering Higgins, he strode over to the fire, stepping gingerly around the menagerie.
    Oh yes, Papa! It was splendid and John Coachman let me sit on the box with him the entire way," Teddy assured him enthusiastically.
    "Did he now? That was a rare treat. How were the new bays handling?" No one, seeing the fondness in Mainwaring's eyes as he looked at his son, could have guessed that not too many years ago he had considered children to be the worst possible sort of encumbrance. However, marriage to Frances and his necessary involvement with Ned and Freddie had taught him that they were not all little monsters who were better off seen and not heard. To the contrary, he had discovered during various outings to the Tower, Astley's Amphitheatre, and balloon ascensions that childish curiosity and enthusiasm could be quite enjoyable—enchanting even. So, much to his friends' astonishment, he had become a devoted, though by no means doting, parent, participating personally in much of his son's education and activities.
    His son's eyes shone as he reassured his father, "They're a bang-up pair and John says they're very sweet goers."
    "I am delighted to hear that they're all I thought they would be. Hello, my love," Julian bent to plant a kiss on Frances's forehead as she handed him a cup of tea. "Everything in good order when you arrived?"
    "Yes. We're settled in nicely, thank you, and John has been able to find an eager young lad to help out in the stables. He's a cousin of Lady Streatham's groom Thompson and seems quite anxious to learn. How was your meeting with Canning?"
    "Excellent. I admired Castlereagh's grasp of affairs on the Continent, but it's time we took to problems at home, and George Canning is the man for that. He has a far greater sense of what must be done in the way of financial reforms. But he needs support. He lacks the charm of Castlereagh and there are many who greatly distrust him."
    "I am persuaded, Julian, that you, with acquaintances among both factions, can bring about some understanding." Frances