The Companion of Lady Holmeshire Read Online Free PDF

Canbury Lodge, my rifle went missing, and I found her friends had propped it up next to her chair! I had to claim it, and do you think I could get myself out the door? They surrounded me while the hunting party was getting on their horses, and this time we talked about the beloved sun! She may have been quoting Shakespeare; do not ask me, but she does that. I was worried about getting to my horse! This marriage...I can wait until I feel ready, can I not? I want to do some things, to not be...tied down with things...at least not her sort of things.” Wills glanced at poor, concerned Emma and then looked back, listening to his patient Mama.
    “ Genevieve may fear that you do not care for her. Consider how that could affect your future happiness together. You must prepare now to have a happy home!”
    “ I wish one could marry whomever one liked best, you know. Like timid little housemaids turned companion and dressed up like a doll. One might hurry a bit faster. If only I could ask Papa for a change in the arrangement.”
    “ It was not your father’s doing. It was entirely between King George IV and his favorites, your grandfather and Lord Breyton. Your father and I truly did not wish it! But it is quite a tangled matter with inheritances, royal entitlements and politics. You or she could quite undo that by refusing to marry, but many things are involved, including many important contracts! Breyton has no son, you know, so he is all the more determined to have grandsons by you and Genevieve who will receive all that King George meant for him—your inheritances and his. There is no one to take Breyton’s title, either, unless Genny has sons, and he, at one time, saw himself as the first of a long line. He was even trying to make it law that the title of marquess be passed down perpetually. It would secure his name in the history books.”
    “ Yes, that is the intent. Lord Breyton must go down in history. He must be the first of many Marquesses of Breyton. What better stud for the purpose than the grandson of two great heroes of Waterloo?”
    “ But I am sure you can make yourself and Genny perfectly happy. It is a matter of developing the determination. Both of you must, that is. When you start to visit her more often, you may come to love her. You must look for her pleasing qualities. I visit there, you know, and she is a truly lovely girl. She is gentle, has a wonderful singing voice and is very well educated.”
    “ All that she ought to be. I’m sure we will find much to bring us together. Some things, by degrees, you know. But for now...”
    “ The Season in London begins soon. You will be seated in Parliament this year! Emma and I are to visit Handerton House within the week after arriving, and you have been invited to join us.”
    “ Oh, Emma was invited!” A great smile appeared and his tone lightened measurably.
    “ At my request.”
    His dutiful spirit returned, and his kindly consideration for Genevieve, as well. “Of course. Of course I will join you. But I must return to Holmeshire for a week during Parliament’s sessions. I am eager to start on this monstrous castle, Mama. I have such plans! The fellow is coming in a month and...”
    “ And Genevieve should be here for it!”
    “ Mama.” His head dropped.
    “ She is to be Mistress of Holmeshire Hall and should have her say! She will entertain here and raise children. She may care to make changes in the antediluvian servants’ quarters, you know. Since you are making major improvements and not just decorating, it should be done together, should it not?”
    “ So I may not have my castle my way, then, you are saying.”
    “ It certainly seems that it will all be Italian, will it not? Married life, though, will require many compromises; you absolutely must submit to that. It is not according to the law of Britain, but it is to the law of happiness. She will give you heirs to care for your holdings and preserve the family name. You are the last