Old Acquaintances: Christmas Regency Tale (Regency Tales Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

subsequently persuaded to come on with you here. I believe that you are harboring my ward, Miss Grantham.”
    Judith, who had flinched at Sir Peregrine’s blunt disclaimer, now looked at him in stupefaction. “You? You are the beastly, overbearing cousin that that poor girl is fleeing?  I cannot credit it.”
    “Indeed, can you not?” Sir Peregrine’s smile was grim. “I am certain that Cecily has spun a fine tale for you, but do now allow her to play too strongly on your sympathies. She is too young to know what she is about, besides possessing a decided turn for the dramatic. I have had little ease of mind since succeeding to her guardianship. If the truth be known, I would as lief wash my hands of the business.”
    Judith had listened to him with increasing stiffness. Everything he said seemed to confirm Cecily’s assertions. “I am persuaded that you do not mean that. Surely you are not grown so callous that you have forgotten what dreams one may hold at age seventeen! Of course the girl is high-spirited and romantic. What young girl is not?”
    “I was never a dreamy youth, even in my salad days. And you, dear Judith, did not allow romantic fancy to turn your head. Indeed, far from it. I doubt there was ever a more prosaic young lady in all of England,” said Sir Peregrine with irony.
    Judith bit back the impulsive retort she was about to utter. It would not do to cup up at Sir Peregrine over the past, not if she was to discover how best to aid Cecily out of her predicament. She took a deep breath to calm herself, though Sir Peregrine’s unfair observation stung. “Cecily is still a child, I grant you, but there is a hint of fortitude, of determination, about her that is appealing. My interest was caught by her story of an unwanted suitor and an overbearing guardian. However, I certainly do not approve of the course of action she has taken, and I hope that while you are here, Sir Peregrin, you and Cecily may iron out some of your differences.”
    “Your concern is misplaced and misguided, ma’am. I think that I know better how to deal with Cecily than would a stranger,” said Sir Peregrine coolly.
    Judith lost her temper. “Indeed, and see what has come of your handling of her! She was fleeing from you in a common mail coach, intending to solicit a position as a lady’s maid. I do not pretend to understand the desperation of a gently bred girl who feels compelled to such a course, but I do think that if you had had an ounce of common sense you would have attempted to sound out her feelings before –“
    “My God, do you think that I have not tried reason? But it is akin to addressing a whirligig. My precious ward has tumbled headlong into love not fewer than six times in two years. The last was the dancing master at her boarding school, who, I am given to understand, thought it might be lucrative to encourage the simpering adoration of an heiress,” said Sir Peregrine. He gave a short bark of laughter. “Cecily was not best pleased to learn that her inamorata chose a purse of silver and flight over the less charming prospect of enduring penury with her.”
    The years rushed over Judith, an echo of long-ago hurt. “How odd that you should choose the same means to direct Cecily’s destiny,” she said with a brittle smile. Her gray eyes had lightened almost to transparency, so great was her fury.
    Sir Peregrine was taken aback by the sudden blaze of passion in her expression. He was given no opportunity to question her oblique statement, however, as the breakfast room door opened and a man and woman unknown to him entered.
    At sight of Judith, Mr. Nickleby smiled and nodded. “There you are, Mrs. Nickleby. Did I not tell you that early hours are kept in the country? We have almost missed breakfast with our kind hostess. Your servant, Miss Grantham, sir,” said Mr. Nickleby, making a courtly bow to the two sitting silent at the table. If he had been a sensitive man he would have been struck by the