A Curious Courting by Laura Matthews Read Free Book Online Page A

but not through any care of yours. How would you have felt had one broken a leg? They are dumb beasts, Henry, and cannot complain of our treatment of them. You are not generally so careless about such matters.”
    His face still unreadable, he kept his eyes firmly locked on the mantel when he replied. “I am quite familiar with that field. I could remember no hazards.”
    “I was not aware of any, either, Henry, and yet we encountered one, as I felt sure we must. Can’t you see how different it is riding about when everything is open to your view, and riding like a maniac over snow-obscured ground? What you could easily skirt on horseback in the light of summer, you can’t even know exists in such conditions.” Selina felt she was pleading with him to understand her, and yet there was no softening of the frozen face.
    “I am sorry if I drove recklessly,” he replied stiffly, “and I had no intention of endangering you or your horses.
    “Ah, I see,” Selina murmured as she possessed herself of his hand. “Look at me, please, Henry.”
    He reluctantly lowered his eyes to her face and she squeezed his hand. “Nothing is more precious to me than you, Henry. I can’t say that I do not care about being killed myself, or having my horses ruined, but they pale in comparison with your own safety. When I saw you there in the snow, unmoving...” She bit her lip and tried to control the quaver in her voice. “Well, I could not bear it if anything happened to you.”
    “You did not seem so very concerned. All you talked of was your precious horses.”
    “But not until you had assured me that you were all right! I cannot bear the thought of your taking such chances with yourself.”
    “And that is why you don’t want me to ride with the Quorn? So that you won’t be inconvenienced if I should injure myself?”
    “Inconvenienced!” Selina jumped to her feet and stamped a foot on the floor. “You put me out of all patience, Henry. I am telling you that it would break my heart if anything happened to you, and all you can understand is that I am a cautious old fuddy who stands in your way to having fun.”
    “Well, that’s really what it amounts to, isn’t it, Selina?” he asked stubbornly. “If I break my neck, I certainly am not going to be the one to suffer. I shall be dead.”
    “How can you talk that way? What has gotten into you these last weeks?” Her face was white and she drew a shaking hand across her eyes.
    “I am no longer a child, Selina. I am tired of studying Lucian and Virgil, of composing Latin verses, of memorizing Greek grammar. Even geography is a great trial when it is only the dull facts one studies. Personally, I can see no relevance to any of it! What do you want of me? Are you preparing me to study law, or to take orders? Perhaps to sit for Parliament? Am I to have no say in what I do with my life?”
    Bewildered, Selina could only stare at him for a moment. “But, Henry, your studies are to prepare you for university. Your guardian is desirous that you go there. I have no say in the matter.”
    “Lord Leyburn has never consulted my wishes. How does he know that I even want to go to university? And what does he care? You are all smothering me with your own good intentions, but no one ever asks me what I want to do.” He began to pace up and down the room, his hands clenched at his sides. “It is five years until I come into my inheritance. My God, five years, Selina! For the next five years am I to do what everyone else wants me to do? Am I to be given a pittance of an allowance and kept on leading-strings? Am I to meekly say, ‘Yes, sir, if you wish me to study law, I shall do so.’ Do you realize that I cannot even remember Lord Leyburn, Selina? How many years is it since he has even bothered to come and see me? Three, four? All he wants is for me to kick up no fuss, put him to no bother. Why should I allow my life to be directed by such a man?”
    “He is your guardian. He stands