Melinda Hammond by The Dream Chasers Read Free Book Online Page B

Lady Bilderston that it was I who came upon Miss Marchant and took her up with me.’
    Well done, Caro, my love! I knew I could rely on you!’
    She coloured faintly: even after so many years, she was not so impervious to his charms as she professed.
    ‘You had best go away now, Vivyan. We will expect you here for dinner, and in the meantime I must think how I am going to explain all this to Philip. I fear he will think I am run mad!’
    But when Vivyan was shown into the drawing-room in Bruton Street some hours later, he found his brother and sister-in-law in apparent domestic harmony. Major Lagallan greeted his brother with his habitual good humour unimpaired.
    ‘Well, little brother, you have a novel way of settling down.’
    Vivyan grinned. ‘Caroline has told you everything?’
    ‘Yes. And I have talked with Miss Marchant. She is clearly a gently bred young lady, albeit very determined to have her way.’
    ‘Aye, full of spirit! But such a babe, Philip. I could not leave her at Bath.’
    No, indeed. But this young man she talks of, do you know him?’
    ‘Rupert Alleyne? No. I fear he is some young buck who whiled away a few idle weeks flirting with a pretty girl. The devil of it is she’s taken it to heart! But she is determined to find him, and confident that he loves her.’
    ‘You do not think that is so?’ put in Caroline.
    ‘I fear she is going to be disappointed.’ Vivyan broke off as the door opened, and he turned to see Miss Marchant enter.
    Gone were the brown wool suit and the badly tied neckcloth, replaced with a fine muslin gown embroidered with dainty yellow flowers. Miss Marchant’s hair, freed from the confining ribbon, had been coaxed into shining red-gold curls about her head.
    Mr Lagallan bowed.
    ‘My compliments, Caro. You have turned my wood nymph into a princess.’
    Observing Eustacia’s blush, Caroline took her arm and gave her an encouraging smile.
    ‘I deserve no credit, Vivyan. I merely sent my maid to help Eustacia to dress.’
    But this Miss Marchant would not allow.
    ‘Indeed, ma’am, you have been more than kind to me!’ she said. ‘You furnished me with soap, and a hot bath, and have treated me with such kindness, I cannot thank you enough.’
    ‘Nonsense, child. We are delighted to help you. Now, come and sit beside me, my dear, and we will tell Vivyan what we have decided.’
    Major Lagallan cast a rueful glance at his brother.
    ‘It would appear that we are now mere auditors in this matter, Viv.’
    Caroline frowned at him.
    ‘Be serious, Philip. Vivyan; Eustacia and I discussed the matter most thoroughly after you had left us. She has given me Lady Bilderston’s direction, and I have already sent a note to that lady, and received a reply that I may call upon her in the morning.’
    ‘And does she know the reason for your visit?’ asked Vivyan.
    ‘No. I shall take Eustacia with me, and we will throw ourselves on her mercy.’
    ‘If you tell her everything, she’ll probably be carried off with apoplexy,’ murmured Vivyan, grinning.
    Eustacia giggled. ‘No, of course it would not do to tell her everything! We will say that it was Caroline who took me up when she learned I was determined to come to London. And Caroline thinks it would be best not to tell Godmama that I came here to find Rupert. Also,’ she fixed her anxious gaze upon Mr Lagallan, ‘I hope you are not offended, Vivyan, but Caroline thought it best if we say you and I had not met until now.’
    Vivyan’s eyes danced.
    ‘Not at all. And do you think Lady Bilderston will take you in?’
    ‘Well, I hope so,’ said Stacey, wrinkling her brow, But if she will not, it does not matter, for Caroline has said I may stay here while we write to my grandfather, and that will give me time to find Rupert!’
    * * * *
    Miss Marchant’s sunny spirits were slightly more subdued the next morning as she accompanied Mrs Lagallan to Fanshawe Gardens. An elderly butler escorted them to the blue saloon and