Lord Darlington's Darling by Gayle Buck Read Free Book Online

all.”
    “Well, you will soon find out, shan’t you?” asked August, unabashed, as he returned his attention to the racing journal.
    Abby sighed and left the drawing room to her brother. As she went upstairs, she was aware her heart was pounding just a little faster than usual. She scarcely dared entertain the thought that she had actually re ceived an offer of marriage.
    When Abby entered the sitting room, she saw that both her brother-in-law and her sister awaited her. Instantly she knew something of import had indeed happened, for they wore identical expressions of pleased satisfaction.
    “My dearest Abby!” Mrs. Crocker stretched out her hand and invited her sister to sit down beside her on the striped settee. “You will never guess what has transpired! It is almost too good to be true, though to be sure I did think that— however, one mustn’t put up one’s hopes until one is certain,”
    Abby shook her head, laughing at her sister. “Me lissa, you haven’t made a bit of sense since I walked into the room!”
    Mrs. Crocker clasped her hands together in an un usual show of emotion. “It is just that I do not know whether I am on my head or heels.”
    Abby stared at her sister, a smile still hovering about her mouth. “I don’t recall ever seeing you in such transports before.” She slid a laughing glance at her brother-in-law. “Except when Mama told us that Peter had offered for your hand, of course!”
    Mrs. Crocker blushed. “Hush, Abby! You’ll give Peter a swelled head.”
    Mr. Crocker laughed from his place standing beside the mantel. “You must pardon Melissa just this once for giddiness, Abby. The thing of it is, you see, is that Lord Fielding paid me a visit earlier this morning. You can imagine for what purpose.”
    Abby looked from her brother-in-law to her sister, taking in the expectancy in their faces. She felt a sinking sensation. “You mean, August was right and Lord Fielding has indeed made an offer for me?”
    “August! What does he know about anything, I should like to know,” said Mr. Crocker with an indul gent laugh. “He has his mind set on nothing but youthful follies.”
    Mrs. Crocker smiled at her spouse. “Very true, dearest. But in this instance August has been un usually perceptive. At least—well, there is no other way to put it, Abby. August was only partially right.”
    “But . . . has Lord Fielding offered or hasn’t he?” asked Abby, her confusion showing in her slightly creased brows.
    Mrs. Crocker shook her head quickly. “Not pre cisely, no! However, his lordship did request permis sion to pay his addresses to you, Abby.”
    “Oh!” Abby waited to see what she might feel at the news. She supposed that she was pleased, for she felt a mild sensation of gratification. But then there was also that odd fluttering feeling in her middle. “I am pleased, of course. But it is not the same as an offer, is it?”
    Mrs. Crocker’s expression instantly registered compassion as she regarded Abby’s face. She thought she understood her sister’s lack of excitement. “Oh, Abby! You mustn’t take it so.”
    “No, it isn’t an offer, of course,” corroborated Mr. Croker, frowning thoughtfully. “You are quite right to be disappointed, Abby. I must admit to a bit of letdown myself. I had expected Lord Fielding to come right to the point. After all, he has been dangling after you for weeks.”
    “I am sure his lordship knows his own business best, Peter,” said Mrs. Crocker hastily, reaching out to pat her sister’s arm in a soothing fashion. She glanced meaningfully at her husband.
    Mr. Crocker caught his wife’s warning gaze and said quickly, “No doubt Lord Fielding has matters of busi ness or some such thing to take care of first. I shouldn’t worry about it, Abby. His lordship will come around.”
    “Of course he shall. Don’t be anxious for anything, Abby,” said Mrs. Crocker, her face relaxing again into a smile. “No doubt Lord Fielding will wish