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

in place of your father,” she whispered.
    “No one stands in place of my father, and certainly not Lord Leyburn. Once a quarter I get a note from him, written in the language one might use for a twelve-year-old, instructing me to use my allowance with care and to study diligently. Damnation! I won’t stand for it!”
    Selina dropped onto a chair and followed his restless pacing with her concerned eyes. “What is it you want, Henry?” she asked softly.
    “I don’t know,” he wailed. “But I know what I don’t want. I don’t want to be hedged about on every side, to be forced to follow the dictates of his lordship when he cannot even be bothered to come and see me once a year. Is that asking too much?”
    “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “Legally you are in his power until you come of age. But he cannot force you to go to university if you don’t want to, or to study some particular subject. Where it is a matter of money, well, that is easily outmaneuvered. You know that I am more than willing to give you any sums you may need. I have no call for half the income Shalbrook brings. Would you like me to set up an account for you?”
    “I can’t take your money,” he protested.
    “If I were purse-pinched, it would be another matter, Henry. You are my only relation, and there is no reason why you should not share in my good fortune.”
    “Some day you may need the money.”
    “If I do, some day you will be in a position to repay me.”
    “Would you let me earn the money, Selina?”
    “Earn it? How would you earn it?”
    “I should like to learn about farming. You know, about planting barley and wheat and oats and such, and about raising sheep and pigs and cattle. I could assist Mr. Sands; he’s getting on in years, you know, and could use a hand.” When his cousin looked skeptical, he continued eagerly, “I shall have a small estate of my own to manage one day, and I want to know how to go about it. What do you say, Selina?”
    “It would cut into your study time drastically.”
    He frowned. “It would be a more practical course of study.”
    “Perhaps it would. Do you think you could convince Mr. Sands that you are serious?”
    For the first time during their interview, he grinned. “Within a week! He’s a great sort, Selina, always ready to answer your questions.”
    “I have a mind to give it a try,” she mused, “though we may hear repercussions from Lord Leyburn. Would you like to write him explaining the situation?”
    “Could we not just try it for a while? No, I suppose not. Davenport would be sure to set up a row. Very well, I will write him.”
    “Good.” Selina rose and walked over to her cousin, placing her hand on his arm. “I had no idea you chafed so under your restrictions, Henry. I wish you had told me sooner, for I would do anything in my power to make you happy.
    “I...I know you would, Selina.” His face suffused with color. “I didn’t mean to rant and rave at you. God knows I owe you so much! I must seem the most ungrateful beast in nature. Can you forgive me?”
    “Silly fellow,” she laughed, rumpling his hair. “We were used to sharing our problems, Henry. I hope you have not grown so old that you can do so no longer.”
    “I didn’t know if you would understand, Selina. And I am sorry about the sledge. That was stupid of me.”
    “We won’t mention it again,” she assured him as she slipped out the door.
    Selina was not at all sure that she understood, or if she wanted to. He was growing up, and away from her. From the time he was eleven she had cared for him, sympathized with him, laughed with him. Dear God, he was only sixteen! Surely that was too young for him to be trying to stretch his wings. Too young to have the maturity to make important decisions, ones which could effect his entire life. But to thwart him would doubtless lead to an estrangement between them which she could not bear. If only Lord Leyburn were a concerned guardian... She found