Duel of Hearts by Elizabeth Mansfield Read Free Book Online Page A

readied himself for bed.
    In spite of the feather mattress, he was almost instantly asleep. If it were not for the fact that he had a most unpleasant dream—in which he lost Corianne in a crowded city street full of leering men—he would have had to admit that he’d passed a surprisingly comfortable night.
    Corianne’s spirits on her first night in London were a good deal happier than those of her guardian. Her aunt Laurelia and her cousin Sarah welcomed her most affectionately and gave not the slightest sign that they felt any resentment at having been coerced into inviting her. Sarah was most kind when she showed Corianne to the lovely rose-colored bedroom in which she’d stayed two years before, chatting pleasantly about some of the people Corianne had met on her earlier visit and complimenting her most flatteringly on her appearance. Then, after she’d washed up, her aunt called her down to partake of a late supper, during which both her hostesses made every effort to make her feel at home.
    Aunt Laurelia described to Corianne in some detail the numerous plans she’d made for the girl’s entertainment—a program which was to begin the very next day with a luncheon at Lady Howard’s and an evening at the opera in the company of a few of Lady Stanborough’s friends. The girl nearly burst with excitement but had to admit that she was not certain she would be permitted to attend.
    â€œBut why not, my dear child?” Lady Stanborough asked in surprise.
    â€œYou see, Edward made me promise I would not go out until he’d had a chance to speak to you.”
    â€œEdward? Who’s Edward?” her aunt inquired. “Is he the gentleman who brought you?”
    â€œYes, he is.”
    â€œWell, what has he to say to anything, may I ask?”
    Corianne made a face. “He has everything to say, I’m afraid. You see, Papa would not permit me to come to London unescorted, and he asked his friend—he’s Squire Middleton, you know, whose land marches along with ours—to come with me as a sort of guardian.”
    â€œ Guardian? I never heard of such an arrangement! Do you mean the man will be supervising your activities during your stay?”
    â€œYes, I suppose so,” Corianne admitted.
    Lady Stanborough’s finely pencilled eyebrows rose in offended dignity. “Does your father think that my guardianship will not be good enough?” she demanded.
    â€œCome now, Mama, don’t get on your high ropes,” Sarah put in. “My uncle has quite understandable qualms about permitting his lovely daughter to gallivant about London with only two weak females to protect her. I think it was very wise of him to provide Corianne with a masculine protector.”
    â€œNonsense,” her mother said, refusing to be mollified. “I don’t see why he found it necessary to do so now , when he didn’t do it two years ago when Cory came here for her come-out.”
    I don’t see why, either,” Corianne said with a sigh.
    â€œBut I do,” Sarah insisted. “You see, Cory, now that you’ve been presented, you have more freedom to go about than you had before. Not only that, but your last visit was for a month only, and part of that time your father was here with you.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Corianne said. “And Edward, too.”
    â€œEdward?” Sarah asked, looking at Corianne interestedly. “This Edward—did he come down for your presentation ball?”
    â€œOh, yes. He’s a very old friend of the family, you see.”
    â€œWell, I certainly don’t like this arrangement,” Lady Stanborough grumbled. “He’ll probably be a crotchety nuisance, telling us where we may or may not take you.”
    â€œOh, Edward isn’t like that, I assure you, Aunt. Besides, I can handle him.”
    â€œI hope so, child,” her aunt replied. “There’s nothing I