April Lady by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online

to learn how to manage, but it is useless to deceive oneself: I don't think I have any turn for economy!"
    "No, alas, nor I!" agreed Nell, with a wry grimace.
    "The thing is, we were not bred to it" said Letty profoundly. "But what does it signify, after all, when I shall be the mistress of a substantial fortune as soon as I come of full age?"
    "I think the thing is that Cardross feels you are too young to be making up your mind just yet," Nell said diffidently.
    "Depend upon it, he would not say so if I wanted to marry a man of rank and fortune!" Letty said, her eyes kindling. "He did not think you too young when he offered for you, and I dare swear your papa did not either!"
    "No," admitted Nell.
    "No! But if he had not been Cardross, your papa would have said so, even though he came of a very good family, and was in all respects a most superior man! It is all pride and pretension, and for my part I think it is detestable!"
    "No, no, not that—not quite that!" Nell said. "I suppose he would wish you to make what is called a good match, but he has told me himself that if you are still of the same mind in a year or two—"
    "He knows very well that in a year or two—and probably much sooner!—Jeremy will have been sent abroad. Indeed, Jeremy has the greatest hope, if all goes as he has reason to expect— But I mustn't tell you! Pray don't repeat it, Nell! He particularly desired me not to speak of it while nothing is yet settled." She hesitated, and then slid an impulsive hand into Nell's, and whispered: "One thing I must tell you! I believe—I hope—that he will shortly be calling in Grosvenor Square, to see Cardross. You may guess for what purpose! I should not be mentioning it to you, but oh, Nell, you will stand our friend, won't you?"
    "Well, I might," said Nell, in whom a year's intimacy with her sister-in-law had engendered a good deal of caution. "But not if you mean to do something outrageous!"
    "Nothing of the sort!" declared Letty indignantly. "Unless, of course, Cardross drives me to it, and that I depend on you to prevent!"
    "Oh, pray don't!" begged Nell, alarmed. "If he won't consent to your marriage, it is because he feels it would be wrong in him to do so, and how could I overcome such scruples, or—or even wish to overcome them? If only you will be a little patient! Once Cardross is satisfied that your affections are truly fixed—"
    "When that day dawns, if ever it does, Jeremy may be thousands of miles distant!" Letty interrupted. "I shall have nothing to do then but to continue in patience until he returns to England—if he does return!"
    "But naturally he will return!"
    "Yes, but would you wager a groat on his doing so alone?" Letty retorted. "I would not! I don't mean to say that he does not love me as much as I love him, but if he does not set eyes on me for years, besides being made up to by I daresay a dozen girls, or more, it would be wonderful indeed if he escaped being snatched up into matrimony with Another!"
    Nell could find nothing to say. Her imagination boggled at the picture of Mr. Allandale being courted by a dozen (or even half-a-dozen) girls, but she prudently kept this reflection to herself, only venturing to ask, after a slight pause: "What made you fall in love with him, Letty? I don't mean to say that he is not very amiable and civil, but—but—"
    "I know precisely what you mean," said Letty, with unexpected cordiality. "And I haven't the smallest conjecture! If he had been like—oh, like your brother!—no one would have wondered at in the least: I shouldn't myself! I assure you, I am quite as much surprised as anyone, for it is not as if I had never met any other gentlemen! When I lived with my aunt I met everyone who came to the house, for she was not at all stuffy, you know, and didn't even try to keep Selina and me in the schoolroom. We knew all Maria's and Fanny's beaux, and some of them were pretty dashing, I can tell you! Only I never had the smallest tendre for any