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

to make an announcement in time for a June wedding. In the meantime, I wish you to simply enjoy yourself this Season.”
    “I shall do just as you say, Melissa,” said Abby, responding to her sister’s smile with one of her own. She had long since discovered that a smile eased one through all kinds of awkward moments. “Have you informed Mama of Lord Fielding’s request?”
    “I shall do so on the instant,” promised Mrs. Crocker.
    Abby nodded. She rose from the settee. “If you and Peter don’t mind, I should like to go away and think for a while.”
    “Of course, dearest,” said Mrs. Crocker quickly, the look of mild compassion coming once more into her eyes. “We completely understand, don’t we, Peter?”
    “Quite! It isn’t every day that a gentleman like Lord Fielding makes known his intentions,” said Mr. Crocker in a congratulatory tone.
    Abby quietly agreed to it and left the sitting room. She made her way toward her bedroom, the slightest pucker between her well-formed brows. It was so very odd. Her sister and brother-in-law were obviously de lighted for her. She wished she could honestly say she was just as delighted for herself. Perhaps there was something wrong with her, or perhaps she simply wasn’t of a very passionate nature. The strongest emo tion she had felt upon hearing that Lord Fielding had at last decided to pay his addresses to her was glad ness. And that was only because her sister and brother-in-law had done so much for her, and it was wonderful that she could repay their many kindnesses by marrying well.
    When Abby reached her bedroom, she pulled the bellpull for her maid. Upon her tiring-woman’s en trance, she requested help in changing into a walking dress. “I have a few books I wish to return to the lending library,” she said.
    The maid nodded and swiftly effected the wardrobe change. It was not unusual for Miss Fairchilde to go on such errands. She would be accompanying her mistress, naturally, for it would not do for a young lady such as Miss Fairchilde to ride about the city unchaperoned.
    Within a few very short minutes, Abby and her maid stepped into the carriage which she had requested to be brought around from the stables for their excur sion. It was a short ride to the lending library, and her errand was swiftly accomplished.
    Abby’s thoughts were preoccupied by Lord Fielding’s no doubt flat tering request. His lordship had established a habit of taking tea with the Crocker ladies about three times each week, so she would probably have the op portunity of expressing her gratification to that gentle man that same afternoon.
    Suddenly, as she faced the prospect of returning to the town house to discover his lordship arrived for tea, she felt quite nervous. Abby quickly made up her mind to extend her outing. “I believe I should like to look for some new ribbons for that straw,” she said to her maid and proceeded to give directions to her driver for a milliner’s shop.
    The maid directed an astonished glance at her mistress but said nothing. It was a queer start for Miss Fairchilde, who normally did not care overmuch for shopping for fripperies. Usually Mrs. Crocker decided what was needed and what was not in her younger sister’s wardrobe.
    When the carriage stopped outside the milliner’s shop, Abby and the maid stepped down to the walk way. The street was congested with carriages. An equally large number of pedestrians filled the walk ways on either side of the avenue. Abby, who had never acquired the knack of feeling at ease in crowds, was glad when her maid remained close beside her as they made their way across the busy walk into the milliner’s shop.
    The bell above the door rang upon their entrance. At once an attendant approached them. Recogniz ing Miss Fairchilde as a frequent patron, the woman inquired what the young lady desired. Abby had often accompanied her sister and had bought a number of parcels on several occasions, but this was the first