The Aim of a Lady Read Online Free PDF

more hesitant as he eyed him dubiously.
    “It would be my pleasure,” he found himself replying, much to his own surprise. Well, he had conceived an interest in seeing her fencing outfit, if George was so impressed with it.
    She smiled warmly at him. “Thank you, Lord Alma, you are generous.” As they approached the Park, Diana pointed out to him the features of the estate which had been her domain for so many years. The Park was set on a small green incline surrounded by lush lawns and vigorous forest growth of pines and oak. The house itself was of warm tan stone mellowed over two centuries to a richness in keeping with its setting. Deer grazed near the Home Wood and the hedges were filled with game. The kitchen gardens behind the house were extensive and well cared for, the balustraded terraces and flower gardens no less so. Parts of the stables were as ancient as the house, the rest more modern but architecturally in keeping with their predecessors.
    Diana could see beyond to the meadows and pastures, to her archery range and the orchards. Although it could not be seen because of the trees which flourished on its banks, the river ran through the Park, and opposite the river, also out of sight, was the stud farm.
    Diana turned to Alma uncertainly. “Luncheon is at one. Shall you join me?”
    “I cannot sit."
    “Never mind. We shall stand at the sideboard and eat with our fingers,” she suggested gaily.
    “Then I shall join you, Miss Savile.” As Alma turned away in the hall, he thought about what George had said the previous evening. If one considered the strange Miss Savile as a younger brother, one was indeed no longer blue-devilled. He could not imagine why the Dodge fellow was in love with her; he felt sure there was not an ounce of the coquette in her diminutive figure. In fact, there was no resemblance to any woman he had ever known, and he had known a goodly number of them, he thought complacently. Still, as a younger brother she would do very well, as she was obviously intent on entertaining him. He had not fenced for months.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Mrs. Lewis arrived at the Park midway through the afternoon, having had to return to her cottage once to check that the fire was out. Diana welcomed her and saw that she was settled in her room, done in shades of blue which delighted the old woman. When Mrs. Lewis was introduced to Lord Alma, she was puzzled that he continued to stand,. and although he urged her to seat herself she was too much in awe of his title to do so. Therefore she continued to stand, even though she became weary and disgruntled. Diana had disappeared on a domestic errand and returned to find the two of them eyeing each other skeptically. Her lips quivered as she said, “You must be seated, Mrs. Lewis. Lord Alma is unable to do so, owing to his accident.”
    Neither of the two seemed satisfied with this explanation, but Mrs. Lewis eventually seated herself when Diana did, and Lord Alma left for his room. Because the day had chilled somewhat, Diana asked that a fire be laid on the hearth, and she adjusted the horse screen to Mrs. Lewis’ pleasure before drawing up to her an elaborate worktable with a fabric-hung workbox drawer. Aware of the old lady’s passion for embroidery, Diana assisted her to unpack the materials which went with her everywhere in an effort to keep her restless fingers busy.
    “I hope you will excuse me, Mrs. Lewis. Lord Alma, being unable to ride, takes a bit of amusing.” She grinned mischievously. “I intend to teach him some archery while he is here.”
    “Do you, my dear? How kind of you. Don’t let me hold you back for I have plenty here to keep me occupied until dinner,” Mrs. Lewis replied cheerily as she set to work, immediately forgetting Diana’s presence altogether.
    When Diana had sent a footman to enquire whether Lord Alma would join her on the archery range, she locked the dog Rogue in the stables, where she stressed the necessity of keeping him