Rivals of Fortune / The Impetuous Heiress by Jane Ashford Read Free Book Online

an awful creature Peter’s wife was!
    It took only half an hour to reach Selina’s, and Joanna was soon seated in the garden, pouring out the story. But Selina was less surprised than she had expected. “Oh, yes,” her friend replied, “I knew they were here. They called on the vicar yesterday afternoon and left cards at the Townsends’ and here. She is certainly wasting no time in showing herself to the neighborhood.”
    Joanna nodded. “But you did not meet her?”
    Selina shook her head regretfully. “We were out. Mother would go to visit old Mrs. Ives. Is she very horrid?”
    â€œAn odious managing female.”
    â€œDidn’t I tell you!” cried Selina triumphantly. “She trapped Peter into marriage, and now he will be quite miserable.”
    â€œSelina, don’t,” said Joanna.
    â€œWell, it is his own fault. What is the brother like? Is he odious also?”
    Joanna looked away. “Oh, no. He is, well, magnificent. I have never seen anyone like him.”
    â€œMy uncle says he is very attractive to women,” added her friend. “He says that all sorts of girls fall in love with Sir Rollin. But he is hanging out for a rich wife, so he only flirts with them and then ignores them.” She lowered her voice and looked about the garden to see that her mother had not come out. “He is a—a rake,” she whispered.
    Joanna’s eyes widened, but she tried to look superior. “I daresay,” she answered.
    Selina gaped. “Did he flirt with you , Joanna?”
    The other girl raised her eyebrows. “Would that be so astonishing?”
    â€œWell, no, but…but did he?”
    Joanna looked tempted, but she was obliged to say, “No, not really. My mother was there, you know, and the others.”
    â€œYes, that is fortunate. We must take care not to be alone with him, ever.” Selina looked both pleased and excited by this idea.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell, because, because…” Selina stopped, finding herself at a loss for words.
    â€œWhy should I not flirt a little?” asked Joanna defiantly. “After all, my life is blighted. Why should I not have some amusement after my disappointment?”
    â€œBut, but Joanna,” stammered the other, “he is a dangerous man. My uncle said…”
    â€œNonsense. What could he do to us here?” She gestured around the garden, which did indeed look very peaceful and safe. “I am only talking about a little flirtation.”
    â€œBut he is a rake.”
    â€œWhat do you know of rakes?” answered Joanna, in such a loud voice that her friend was startled.
    â€œNothing,” retorted Selina, “and neither do you, so you needn’t look so haughty. But my uncle does, and he told my mother…”
    â€œOh, I am sick of your uncle and what he says,” cried Joanna, jumping up. “I daresay he is quite mistaken in any case. He is so odiously starched-up that he thinks he knows everything, but he is nothing but a hanger-on at court, after all. I heard Mr. Townsend say so.”
    â€œJoanna!”
    Joanna was surprised and rather ashamed at her outburst, but for some reason, she felt it was imperative to divert her friend from the question of Sir Rollin Denby’s character. “He did say so,” she repeated, sounding more like a sulky child than a young lady of eighteen.
    â€œWell, it was monstrous mean and spiteful of him, and it is mean of you to repeat it.”
    Joanna drew herself up. “If that is what you think, perhaps I had better go.” She turned and started toward the gate that led into the fields. She expected every moment to be called back, but Selina made no move. As she walked rapidly along the footpath, Joanna listened for steps behind her. Selina had never allowed a quarrel between them to last more than a few minutes. But this time, she did not follow, and when Joanna was half way home,