The Sergeant Major's Daughter Read Online Free PDF

superficially. Both were beautiful and it was intended that they should both marry well. Aunt Eugenie duly obliged, but Mamma was less conformable. She fell in love with my father and would have no other, so they washed their hands of her.”
    “I see.”
    There was a crack of thunder quite close; the first heavy spots of rain splattered the ground. The Earl put a hand under Felicity’s arm and turned her in the direction of the house.
    “ Tell me, Miss Vale—has Amaryllis spoken of payment?”
    Felicity stumbled and his grasp tightened.
    “ Heavens, no! We have never discussed it, but ... no. I am grateful for the breathing space — and, truly, young Jamie is no trouble.”
    “I am astonished to hear you say so. To my mind he has been most shockingly spoiled!”
    “There is nothing wrong with Jamie that time and a little true affection won’t mend. That—and perhaps a more regular interest taken in him by a man in whom he could repose his confidence and admiration.”
    Stayne glanced down at her sharply. “Are you by any chance taking me to task, young woman?”
    “I am stating a simple fact, sir. A boy of Jamie’s age sets great store by a man’s good opinion— preferably his parent, but in Jamie’s case his uncle and guardian. It is quite apparent that he holds you in high esteem; it seems a pity, therefore, that he must seek his credit elsewhere.”
    There was silence.
    “I wonder, Miss Vale—are you a complete innocent or a clever tactician?”
    “Sir?”
    “No matter. Either way I stand rebuked and the diversion has taken us very neatly away from my original query.”
    “Lord Stayne—I beg you will leave matters as they are. I am more than grateful for a temporary roof over my head; to take payment as well would seem...”
    “Like charity, Miss Vale?” The interruption was harsh. “No such is intended. But while you continue to minister to my nephew, you will be paid accordingly.”
    “I shall not take your money, my lord.”
    “What an infernally argumentative girl you are! Well, we shall see, ma’am!”
    The rain put an abrupt end to the dispute; in a sudden deluge they were obliged to retreat with undignified haste to the shelter of the main portico, where the Earl favored her with a brusque good night and departed.

 
    3
     
    Dinner on the following evening was all that Felicity had anticipated. From the outset it was apparent that the company was unsure how far her presence should be acknowledged. Her kinship with Amaryllis amounted at best to that of a poor relation fulfilling the duties of a governess. They obviously thought it a very odd quirk of Stayne’s to require her attendance at dinner—as did Amaryllis.
    Felicity felt a certain degree of sympathy with them in their dilemma, since the Earl, having all but commanded her attendance, made not the least push to engage her interest.
    In the event, it was the conversation which most effectively ostracized her, concerning as it did people and events completely unknown to her.
    On the whole, the gentlemen behaved rather better than the ladies, which aroused a wry conjecture as to their motives. She could in no way be considered above the ordinary; indeed, she was resigned to cutting a drab figure in her best black crape. Yet, even as she reminded herself sternly that she was in mourning, and was not there in order to shine, she could not suppress a stab of envy that, amid the rainbow glory of his guests only the Earl in the stark simplicity of his dark coat came anywhere near her for plainness.
    So it was not her captivating beauty which caused the young tulip of fashion across the table to ogle her, or accounted for the way Mr. Tristram Dytton’s knee so often brushed against hers beneath the linen cloth. Did they perhaps imagine her position sufficiently ambiguous to admit the possibility of a little “back of the stairs” dalliance? Glory—just let them try! The thought kindled a derisive sparkle in her eye, rousing the