The Bumblebroth Read Online Free PDF Page B

him."
    She paused, then gave her head a little shake and resumed pacing. "It astonishes me that anyone with his obvious attractions should even consider courting a child. As if enough girls would not throw their caps at him!"
    Miss Fotheringill folded her hands in her lap and watched as Mattie strode up and down the room. Mattie's distress still perplexed her, but before she could offer any comforting words, Mattie caught sight of herself in the mirror above Pamela's desk and came to a halt.
    "Eeeek!" In the glass she had seen the smudge of dirt on her nose. She licked her finger and rubbed the spot vigorously. "All that time I thought I was being my most dignified, and instead, I looked as foolish as the under-gardener!"
    "Do you mean to say you received Lady Westbury and her son dressed as you are?" Gilly's shock could be heard even through her modulated tones.
    Mattie looked down at her dress anxiously. "Like this? Well. . . yes, but— of course, I wasn't expecting anyone. You know Barlow refuses all morning visitors because I prefer to do my gardening in the early hours." She held out her skirt and glanced back at the mirror. "But is it so dreadful, do you think? It seems so wasteful to be digging in a new gown. Would Lady Westbury— "
    Gilly interrupted her with a delighted laugh. "Yes, my dear. It is positively dreadful! I've cautioned you before that you must take care not to dress as if you've been to a ragfair— even when you are gardening. You must think of your position."
    "Oh, dear." As she peered in the looking-glass, Mattie's voice matched her wilted flowers. "What must Lord Westbury think of me?"
    Gilly stared at her curiously. "I don't see that it matters what he thinks of you."
    Mattie felt herself reddening. "No, of course it doesn't matter," she said, remembering how Lord Westbury had stared when she had first entered the room. "But he was so perfectly groomed, you see. Really quite elegant! One could see he was a member of the Ton. Whereas I— "
    She broke off that line of thought and continued forcefully, "But you are quite right. That's entirely beside the point. The point is that I won't have him sweeping Pammy off her feet before she has a chance to go out into the world. Especially when he doesn't love her!"
    There was a pause. "And why shouldn't he love her?" Mrs. Fotheringill asked quietly.
    Mattie glanced up. "It's not that, Gilly. You know it isn't. There is no earthly reason why he should not adore her. He could not find a dearer, sweeter, more forthright child than our Pammy." A lump of sadness weighted her chest. "It's just that she is still a child, and I want Pammy to have some fun before she marries, to have a chance to meet several gentlemen and to choose from among them. I want her to go to balls and routs and musicales— "
    She saw that Gilly was staring at her and broke off. A faint pink colour rose to her cheeks.
    "I think I know what you mean," Gilly said, giving her a distressed look. Then she said hesitantly, "Mattie, dear— Your Grace— I have often reproached myself for not speaking more forcefully before your marriage. I was younger then, and afraid to put myself forward, but I should have spoken to His Grace and insisted on your having a season in London before— "
    Mattie spoke quickly. "Oh, no! You mustn't make anything of what I've said. I was truly fond of His Grace. If I had even thought of refusing his kind offer, I'm certain he would not have insisted on marrying me!" She faltered, then went on with a gentle smile, "And we suited each other — truly. I daresay another husband would have put a stop to all my wild habits. It would not have suited me at all to be forced to behave. And I could not very well carry on the way I like in London, could I? The one time I was there, it was most painfully obvious to me that I should not fit."
    But Gilly was frowning. She was not so certain, and the uneasy tilt to Mattie's shoulders did nothing to convince her. "You were never