Lady Alex's Gamble by Evelyn Richardson Read Free Book Online Page A

herself adored the dancing and the sight of lovely gowns and men in evening attire, Althea did understand her sister's objection to the petty gossip and tedious conversation to be found at such affairs. She had thought it terribly unfair that Alexandra was thus stigmatized simply for following her own taste for good company and rational discourse.
    49
    Lady Alex's Gamble
    by Evelyn Richardson
    Althea had not missed the occasional whispered comment that it was a sad shame that Lady Alexandra seemed unable to find a husband. She knew how such an attitude on the part of many of their female neighbors must rankle with her sister, who looked to so many things other than marriage for her enjoyment and sense of purpose in life. It was no wonder that Alex found her female status confining, but masquerading as a man? Althea sighed, snipped the thread, and folded the shirt she had just taken in. "Let us hope that no one sees through your disguise and deprives you of your freedom and your reputation."
    "Reputation?" Alex snorted. "I do not give a rap for my reputation. Spotless reputations are only of value to women who wish to sell themselves on the marriage market. As I have no intention of doing so, I may acquire the very blackest of reputations with a clear conscience." However, Alex's bravado was not entirely genuine. The risk she was taking was a real one. Anyone finding her out might take advantage of more than her good name, and though her brother Anthony had taught her a good deal of the soldierly arts, she was not at all sure, given a truly determined assault on her person, how capable she was of defending herself, but she would rather have died than let on in any way that she suffered the slightest of qualms.
    The ensuing days were so filled with preparation that Alex had no time for second thoughts. There were tenants to be visited and instructions to be left with Mrs. Throckmorton and Jamison, fields to be surveyed one more time to see that all 50
    Lady Alex's Gamble
    by Evelyn Richardson
    was progressing and that the men were left knowing what they were supposed to do.
    Finally, after what was deemed a long enough time for the earl to have journeyed to London and returned the traveling carriage for his sister's use, she had it brought around from Mrs. Bates's cottage via the London road. Bessie, relieved for a moment from her nursing duties by Doctor Padgett, had climbed in with her mistress in order to be seen leaving with her on her supposed journey to Brighton. Laden with trunks and bandboxes, they had rolled down the gravel drive waving good-bye to the forlorn little group on the steps. Althea, Andrew, and Abigail had done their best to don reassuringly cheerful smiles, but they had been loath to see her go. "Who will take care of us," Abigail had demanded when informed of her eldest sister's departure.
    "Why Ally of course. She always reads to you before bed and looks after you when Nurse is busy." Alex turned to smile at her brother. "And I count on you, Andrew, to help keep Abby from falling into any serious scrapes." Andrew straightened, determined to show he was more than a match for the task entrusted to him. Then, struck by a singularly felicitous thought, he inquired hopefully, "Without you, shall we have no lessons?"
    Alex laughed. "It would appear so."
    "Horray! Horray!" Both children skipped about in glee as their two sisters exchanged rueful glances.
    "However, I could ask the vicar to take my place as Andrew should be under the tutelage of someone else before 51
    Lady Alex's Gamble
    by Evelyn Richardson
    he goes to school." Alex nodded thoughtfully. "Now would be an excellent time, I think."
    Andrew's face fell, then, catching the look that passed between his sisters and the distinct twinkle in the eldest's eyes, he brightened considerably. "You're bamming, Alex, aren't you?" he inquired hopefully.
    "Well, it would be a good idea, dear, for you to have to say your lessons to someone other than a family