Cotillion by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online Page B

this—!”
    “Who?” demanded Kitty.
    “Jack,” said Mr. Standen. “Mind, I thought it was a dashed smoky thing! In fact, I settled it with myself I wouldn’t come. Well, what I mean is, I ain’t such a green ‘un as to fall into one of Jack’s take-ins! But, you know, Kit, this is a devilish business! Why, if I hadn’t chanced to meet you I should have found myself dished-up! You might have warned me, my dear girl!”
    Miss Charing paid no heed to this, but fixed her eyes most earnestly upon his face, and asked: “Did Jack tell you to come?”
    “That’s it. Met him at Limmer’s last night. Wearing a coat I didn’t like. Told me he let Scott make it for him. Pity! Made him look like a military man.”
    “Never mind Jack’s coat!” interrupted Kitty. “What did he say to you?”
    “Well, that’s it. Said he was tired of Weston’s cut, which made me think he must be a trifle above par. Well, I put it to you, Kit, that’s all you can think when a fellow says a thing like that!”
    “What did he say about—about me?” demanded Kitty.
    “Didn’t say anything about you. Asked me if I’d had a summons from the old gentleman. Told him I had, and he said I should on no account stay away. That’s why I settled not to come. Kept his mouth as prim as a pie, but you know the way he laughs with his eyes!”
    The very thought of the way Mr. Westruther laughed with his eyes drew a deep sigh from Miss Charing. “Yes,” she said wistfully. For a moment she seemed inclined to sink into a reverie, but the melting mood was not of long duration. Once again Mr. Standen became the object of her penetrating gaze. “Did Jack— know —why he was sent for?” she asked.
    “Carlton House to a Charley’s shelter he knew!” said Freddy. “That’s why he ain’t here, of course.”
    Miss Charing stiffened. “You think so?” she said coldly.
    “Not a doubt of it!” responded Freddy. “I must say, I call it a shabby thing to do! Might have told me what was in the wind. That’s Jack all over, though!”
    Miss Charing accepted this unflattering speech meekly enough, but said, lifting her chin a little: “For my part, I am very glad he has not come. I should have thought very poorly of him had he obeyed such a command.”
    “No fear of that,” said Freddy. “Very likely to have put up his back.”
    “Yes, perhaps that was it!” said Kitty, brightening. “He is very proud, isn’t he, Freddy?”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t call him proud, precisely. Gets up on his high ropes now and then, but he ain’t one of your high sticklers.”
    Miss Charing meditated for some moments in silence. “I did not wish him to come,” she said at last, “but Uncle Matthew is excessively vexed that he has not. It is the most absurd thing, but I am persuaded that Uncle Matthew had not the least notion of my marrying anyone else. He was as mad as fire when only Dolph and the Rattrays came to Arnside.”
    “Anyone would be,” agreed Freddy. “Can’t think what possessed the old gentleman to invite ‘em!” He added modestly: “Or me either, for that matter.”
    “He has taken a nonsensical notion into his head that he must not favour any of you above another. And you know what he is, Freddy! Once he has said a thing he will never unsay it! I daresay it may not have occurred to him that jack would not even come! It would serve him right if I said I would marry Dolph!”
    “You aren’t going to tell me Dolph offered for you?” said Freddy incredulously.
    “Yes, he did. If I hadn’t been so angry I must have gone into whoops. Poor Dolph! he looked so miserable, and of course I knew he only did it because that odious woman compelled him!”
    “Now I see it all!” announced Freddy, nodding his head several times. “Accounts for it! Told you I’d settled not to come, didn’t I? Well, it was Aunt Dolphinton who made me change my mind! If I hadn’t met her this morning, I wouldn’t have!”
    Kitty looked very much surprised.