The Ruby Pendant Read Online Free PDF

market or a custard you
are afraid will curdle. And it is so one-sided. I want to have a say in what
happens to me.'
    `Juliette, you
are not old enough and wise enough to make a suitable choice without some
guidance. But your papa will not force you to marry someone you take in
dislike, of that I am sure.'
    For the first
time Juliette felt brave enough to question her iron-willed mother. 'What about
you, Mama? Do you not believe in marrying for love?'
    `Love comes
later, if you are so fortunate. Your papa was chosen for me by my father, but I
would not change him for the world.'
    'And have you
anyone in mind for me? Mr Martindale, perhaps, or Mr Devonshire.'
    `Mr
Devonshire!' Her mother's astonishment was genuine. 'Good gracious, that never
entered my head. He has no title and no fortune and besides, I do believe he
has foreign connections.' She looked closely at Juliette as she spoke. 'You
have not formed an attachment there, have you?'
    `No, indeed
not,' she said, aware that her cheeks were flaming and angry with herself for
not being able to prevent it. 'He is too pompous by far. He behaves towards me
like an uncle who has been entrusted with my moral welfare...'
    `Which is
exactly the truth of the matter.' Her mother laughed. It was the first time
Juliette had heard her laughter since the episode over the portrait. 'At least
it was so last night because your papa asked him to escort us and you are vexed
because he prevented you dancing a third time with James Martindale.'
    `Is Mr
Martindale really my cousin? I find it hard to believe that we have never met
before. He hinted that Papa and his father quarrelled. It doesn't sound the
least like Papa to hold a grudge for so long.'
    `It is not. If
any quarrelling was done, it was all on one side, I can assure you.'
    `What was it
about?'
    `I really do
not know.'
    `Why has
nothing been done to mend the rift?' she asked, wondering why she did not
altogether believe her mother did not know the reason for it.
    `I do not know
that either, but now you have the opportunity to set all to rights.'
    `Me?' Juliette
asked in surprise. 'How can I do that?'
    `James is very
taken by you, he made no effort to hide it...'
    `Oh, Mama, you
surely do not think he will offer for me? We have only just met.' She was not
ready for offers yet. The thought of receiving a proposal filled her with
apprehension. What was she supposed to do? How was she to know whom to accept?
Her reading of romantic novels had led her to believe she would know when she
fell in love because it would be like a bolt from the sky and there would be no
doubt in her mind at all. But no one she had yet met had delivered such a blow,
certainly not Pierre Veillard, or Mr Martindale. There was something about him
that sent shivers of apprehension down her spine and she had no idea why that
should be. As for Mr Devonshire, he was, according to her mother, not even to
be considered and yet he was the one who made her heart beat faster and he was
easy to talk to. She had confided in him about Pierre and the portrait without
a second's hesitation. But that wasn't love, was it?
    Her mother did
not answer because at that moment a footman appeared to announce the arrival of
Mr Martindale.
    `My respects,
my lady,' he said, sweeping confidently into the room dressed in biscuit
coloured pantaloons, a blue superfine coat with darker facings, a blue and
yellow striped waistcoat and the most extravagantly tied cravat Juliette had
ever seen. He bowed before her ladyship, who smiled and offered her hand to be
kissed, which he did with aplomb. Then turning to Juliette, he asked, 'And how
are you, Miss Martindale?'
    `I am very
well, Mr Martindale.'
    `I hope you are
not too tired after last night because I was hoping for the favour of being
allowed to escort you for a carriage ride in the park this afternoon. I have
recently acquired a brand-new barouche and a pair of matched bays.' He turned
to Lady Martindale, smiling. `That is, if your mama will