The Convenient Marriage Read Online Free PDF

Horatia. ‘The bargain!’ he said, and drank heroically.
    Horatia’s eyes twinkled merrily. ‘I f-feel sure we shall deal f-famously together!’ she declared, and raised the glass to her lips.
    Five minutes later his lordship walked into the library again. ‘Ah – Arnold,’ he said. ‘I have found something for you to do.’
    ‘Yes, sir?’ said Mr Gisborne, rising.
    ‘You must get me a Captaincy,’ said Rule. ‘A Captaincy in the – in the 10th Foot, I think, but I am sure you will find out.’
    ‘A Captaincy in the 10th Foot?’ repeated Mr Gisborne. ‘For whom, sir?’
    ‘Now, what was the name?’ wondered his lordship. ‘Hawk – Hernshaw – Heron. I rather think it was Heron. For a Mr Edward Heron. Do you know a Mr Edward Heron?’
    ‘No, sir, I don’t.’
    ‘No,’ sighed Rule. ‘Nor do I. It makes it very awkward for us, but I have great faith in you, Arnold. You will find out all about this Edward Heron.’
    ‘I’ll try, sir,’ replied Mr Gisborne.
    ‘I am afraid I give you a deal of trouble,’ apologized his lordship, preparing to depart. At the door he looked back. ‘By the way, Arnold, I think you may be under some slight misapprehension. It is the youngest Miss Winwood who does me the honour of accepting my hand.’
    Mr Gisborne was startled. ‘Miss Charlotte Winwood, sir? The youngest Miss Winwood, I believe, is scarcely out of the schoolroom.’
    ‘Certainly not Miss Charlotte Winwood,’ said the Earl. ‘I have it on excellent authority that nothing would induce Miss Charlotte to marry me.’
    ‘Good God, my lord!’ said Mr Gisborne blankly.
    ‘Thank you, Arnold. You comfort me,’ said his lordship, and went out.

Three
    The youngest Miss Winwood’s return to South Street was witnessed by both her sisters from the windows of the withdrawing-room. Her absence had certainly been remarked but since the porter was able to inform the rather agitated governess that Miss Horatia had gone out attended by her maid, no great concern was felt. It was odd of Horatia, and very wayward, but no doubt she had only stolen out to buy the coquelicot ribbons she had coveted in a milliner’s window, or a chintz patch for a gown. This was Elizabeth’s theory, delivered in her soft, peaceable voice, and it satisfied Lady Winwood, lying upon the sopha with her vinaigrette to hand.
    The appearance of a town coach, drawn by perfectly matched bays with glittering harness, did not occasion more than a fleeting interest until it became apparent that this opulent equipage was going to draw up at the door of No. 20.
    Charlotte exclaimed: ‘Lord, who can it be? Mama, a caller!’ She pressed her face against the window, and said: ‘There is a crest on the panel, but I cannot distinguish – Lizzie, I believe it is Lord Rule!’
    ‘Oh no!’ Elizabeth fluttered, pressing a hand to her heart.
    By this time the footman had sprung down, and opened the coach door. Charlotte grew pop-eyed. ‘It’s Horry!’ she gasped.
    Lady Winwood clutched the vinaigrette. ‘Charlotte, my nerves!’ she said in a fading voice.
    ‘But, Mama, it is!’ insisted Charlotte.
    Elizabeth had a premonition. ‘Oh, what can she have been doing?’ she said, sinking into a chair, and growing quite pale. ‘I hope nothing – nothing dreadful!’
    Impetuous footsteps were heard on the stairs; the door was opened urgently, and Horatia stood before them, flushed and bright-eyed, and swinging her hat by its ribbon.
    Lady Winwood’s hands fumbled with her Medici scarf. ‘Dearest, the draught!’ she moaned. ‘My poor head!’
    ‘Pray, Horry, shut the door!’ said Charlotte. ‘How can you bounce so when you know how shattered Mama’s nerves are?’
    ‘Oh, I am sorry!’ Horatia said, and carefully shut the door. ‘I forgot. L-Lizzie, everything is settled, and you shall m-marry Edward!’
    Lady Winwood was moved to sit up. ‘Good God, the child’s raving! Horatia, what – what have you been doing?’
    Horatia tossed the