The Waltzing Widow/Smith Read Online Free PDF Page B

Rose Cottage and had every intention of returning that evening on his way home from dinner with Avedon as well. He knew of old that pretending to agree with his uncle was the best way, and he explained calmly, “I was only making them welcome. I have no further occasion to call.”
    “See that you don’t, then,” Avedon warned.
    A servant appeared at the door with a silver tray. “Oh, they have brought a fresh pot of tea for you, Tony. How nice,” Lady Sara exclaimed. Her sharp eyes observed that he had brought fresh cake as well, and she reached for a slice before turning to her brother. “Tell me, Adrian dear, did you happen to mention to Lord Severn that John is interested in that archdeacon’s position we were speaking of?”
    The subject of the Percys was dropped, and Avedon turned his attention from one troublesome relative to the other. He thought he could be a happy man if it were not for family.
     

Chapter Four
     
    While the Percy ladies were enjoying lunch at Milhaven, their well-trained servants made all comfortable at home. The ladies’ luggage was unpacked, the backhouse boy was sent to the village to order supplies, and they returned to an orderly household. Cook informed them that they might have fish, fowl, or red meat for dinner, for she had stocked them all. The iceman had heard of their arrival and had filled the icehouse for her, which Cook took as a pretty compliment to herself.
    Dinner was chosen, and soon Mrs. Percy had steered Lucy out to the derelict garden to begin making plans. “We must hire a couple of local gardeners. We shall want this grass scythed and the rabbits dispatched. I think the greenery on that wall wants thinning. I shall have the toadflax removed but leave the ivy. Or do you like the pink flowers of the toadflax, Lucy?”
    “You’re the gardener, Auntie. Do as you wish,” Lucy said, and strolled on down to the rear of the garden. “Oh, look, there’s a pond here, with frogs!” Her aunt hastened forward to see it.
    “An artificial pond! This must have been lovely once upon a time.”
    It was far from lovely now. What could be seen of the water was an indeterminate blackish-green color, so overgrown with lily pads and sedge that it resembled a swamp. The surface was frequently disturbed by frogs. Mrs. Percy was thrilled to have so much to do in the garden. Other treats were discovered as well. A wrought iron table and chairs were completely buried in nettles. They would require a good cleaning and a new coat of paint.
    “This will be a lovely spot to sit and read in the afternoons after we have the place tamed,” Mrs. Percy said. “I wonder how much of this space is ours? There is no fence at the back, but only that row of thorn bushes. We could put in a vegetable garden, for this land is going to waste.”
    “It seems a shame not to,” Lucy agreed. “Papa planted something in every corner that was not used for grazing. I don’t see any cows nearby.”
    “We passed a lovely herd on our way to Milhaven. That would be Chenely’s farm. Lady Sara said all the land hereabouts belongs to her brother.”
    Lucy’s eyes lifted toward the stone mansion on the hill. She was curious to meet Lord Avedon. “The countryside is beautiful for riding,” she mentioned. “I should have brought my mount with me from London.”
    “Send for it,” Mrs. Percy suggested. Her sharp eyes had observed the change in Lucy since arriving in Kent. The bloom was returning to her cheeks, and her eyes were losing that dull look. The best way to put Pewter out of her mind was to let her socialize with respectable people. And Bigelow was eminently respectable, even if he was a fribble. “Lord Bigelow will point out where you may ride,” she mentioned.
    Lucy gave her a laughing look. “Now don’t go imagining a match in that quarter, Auntie. He is a mere babe in arms. I hope he does not prove too clinging.”
    “We’ll see a deal of that long drink of water if I know anything. I am