Lord Clayborne's Fancy by Laura Matthews Read Free Book Online Page A

her characters from the very haut ton —not hesitating to malign her own husband and Lady Holland, who has always been kind to her. Will says it was a most disgraceful action and he is dreadfully sorry for William Lamb. Anyway, it was a very exciting season after all.”
    “I should think so,” Rebecca murmured, amused at her sister’s innocent enthusiasm about the peccadilloes of such prominent members of society.
    “There were many evenings when we attended two or three balls in succession, with each hostess attempting to outdo the last. Will says he enjoys the breakfasts best, and I am inclined to agree with him, so long as they do not follow one of the late evenings. Will became acquainted with Lord Parley at Cambridge and had entrée everywhere. And I made a very dear friend of Althea Stonebridge—you will adore her, Becka. Will says she is just the sort of unexceptionable friend he would expect me to make. Lord and Lady Stonebridge were lovely to me, often including me in their parties for the theatre. Mama was delighted for the chance to rest, and Will was always invited, too, as my escort.”
    Meg noticed that her sister was growing a trifle restive with all these details of her season and she was abruptly reminded of her social graces. “Now tell me what you’ve been doing, Becka love. You have not said a word and I should hate to be like Turnip.”
    “A fate worse than death,” Rebecca agreed with a laugh. “Let’s see. When I came to Gray Oaks I found Clayborne had bought me a superb little mare. You must see her, Meg, for she is the most beautiful stepper. But then you do not like horses so well, do you? Anyway, I ride most every day and for me it is heaven. I read a lot, sometimes in the topiary, which I shall show you later. The first few months I spent a great deal of time refurbishing three of the rooms. You shall tell me what you think of them. Clayborne was away on estate business for a while, so I had a free hand. Don’t you think the draperies are handsome? I found the material in Chichester. I will have to take you there. It may be nothing compared to London for shops, but it is the most charming town.”
    “I’m sure Turnip must agree with you, for though we fairly flew through it this morning, she did not finish speaking of it until we reached your gate,” Meg grumbled.
    “She no doubt studied her guidebook for a week before you left, and entrusted it all to memory. Herstley in the closest village and since it will be in no guidebook I shall take you walking there. She will not care to accompany us, I hope. There are an inordinate number of elderly folk in the neighborhood, and in truth I don’t believe I’ve met a soul under forty except for the tenants and their children.”
    “But how else have you whiled your time?” Meg asked curiously. “No cozy teas or morning calls?”
    “Well... naturally there were some duty calls at first, and we gave the funniest dinner party at Christmas.”
    Meg was slightly shocked. “A funny dinner party? For the neighbors?”
    “Yes, for Clayborne wanted the local gentry to meet me and his Uncle Henry. He has known all of them since childhood, of course, and put them all at ease. But the vicar, Mr. Rivers who is extremely old and learned, practically fell asleep before the ladies withdrew. And the local squire, Sir John Denby, proceeded to instruct us all on his latest agricultural innovations in a voice so loud that my wine glass trembled. His wife, on the other hand, spoke in a barely audible whisper and her conversation consisted entirely of domestic matters, which she discussed in fatiguing detail, though of course I was not able to hear much of it. No, wait,” Rebecca lifted an admonishing hand as her sister began to giggle.
    “That’s only the beginning. There were also the village gossips, the Misses Blackwell, who were able, in a very short period of time, to leave in shreds the reputation of anyone unlucky enough not to have been