Never Doubt I Love Read Online Free PDF

thought Zoe. “No. I am not clever with my needle. The shawl was a gift from my … Mama.” The reminder of her beautiful and so terribly missed mother brought home all the ills of her present situation, and she hurried into the passage. It was remarkable that for a little while she should have almost forgotten that she had been banished from the home where she had lived all her life, and that Papa had carelessly fobbed her off on the odious Lady Clara Buttershaw.
    She started down the winding staircase, and reflected that despite her odiousity it was extreme generous of Lady Buttershaw to provide her with new gowns. Pausing, she tapped her fan against her chin and her brows wrinkled. Odiousity. That didn’t sound right. Odious-ness…?
    A discreet cough awoke her from her introspection. The stairs were narrow and her paniers wide. A gentleman waited at the foot, watching her enquiringly. She summed him up swiftly. Tall; lean; older—early thirties probably, but good-looking and well set-up with a fine pair of shoulders. His own hair, powdered; light complexion. Eyes: a warm blue holding a tentative smile, and with little lines at the corners, as though he had spent much time under a hot sun. ‘Military’ she thought. ‘Or Navy, perchance.’ And, liking him instinctively, she gave him her own sunny smile and hurried down.
    â€œI do apologize, sir. I was lost in thought, you see.”
    Amused by this artless and most improper confidence, he said in a lazy good-natured voice, “So you were. You appeared to be trying to recall something or other. Am I right, ma’am?”
    â€œI was wondering,” she replied, “which is correct. Is the word ‘odiousness’? Or ‘odiousity’?”
    The smile spread from his eyes to his well-shaped mouth. He said gravely, “They both are charming. All things considered. But I rather suspect are not—ah, widely used. Might you perhaps substitute—‘disagreeable’?”
    Zoe pursed her lips and considered. “It has not quite the same force, do you think? And—what about the ‘ness’?”
    â€œAh. Well, the ‘ness’ would make it into a noun, of course.”
    â€œCan one?”
    â€œBut with perfect propriety, ma’am.”
    â€œThen why can I not have ‘odiousness’?”
    The smile became a soft chuckle. “Heaven forbid I should deprive you of it. And you are quite correct. ‘Odiousness’ does indeed have more force.”
    â€œMiss!” Gorton hurried down the stairs, wrapped in a cloak and regarding Zoe in horror.
    â€œOh dear.” The gentleman stood aside as Gorton passed, her outraged eyes accusing him. Bowing politely, he said to Zoe, “I am delighted to have met you again, ma’am. Pray remember me to your family.”
    Zoe promised to do so, and as she passed, he added sotto voce, “But—no odiousity, I beg.”
    She giggled.
    Bustling along beside her, Gorton hissed, “Miss Grainger! To speak to a strange gentleman! And all alone! Most improper! May lady would think it— fast! ”
    â€œBut—he was not strange. You heard him ask to be remembered to my family.”
    â€œWe must tell may lady, Miss! And may lady will wish to have the gentleman’s name, Ay am very sure!”
    â€œThen my lady must be disappointed, for to say truth, I cannot recall it. I am dreadfully forgetful, you see. Are you going out?”
    â€œAy am accompanying you, Miss.”
    â€œWhatever for? I am unlikely to get lost in the gardens.”
    â€œâ€™Tis not convenable for a young lady to wander about without her footman, or a maid, Miss. Especially, a young and most attractive spinster lady of Quality!”
    â€œIs it?” Zoe walked on again, then asked thoughtfully, “Do you say that whilst I am in London I must take you everywhere I go?”
    â€œUnless Lady Clara or Lady Julia assigns a