The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online Page A

face. Then he turned slightly to look at the startled Macaroni. He said smilingly: ‘Do you tell me I am before you with the news, Crosby? I thought you of all people must have known.’ His satin-clad arm lay on the table, the pack of cards clasped in his white hand. The light of the candles in the huge chandelier over the table caught the jewels in the lace at his throat, and made his eyes glitter queerly.
    ‘What are you talking about?’ demanded the Macaroni, half rising from his seat.
    ‘But Rule, my dear Crosby!’ said Lethbridge. ‘Your cousin Rule, you know.’
    ‘What of Rule?’ inquired the Lady Amelia, regretfully pushing one of her rouleaus across the table.
    Lethbridge’s glance flickered to Lady Massey’s face again. ‘Why, only that he is about to enter the married state,’ he replied.
    There was a stir of interest. Someone said: ‘Good God, I thought he was safe to stay single! Well, upon my soul! Who’s the fortunate fair one, Lethbridge?’
    ‘The fortunate fair one is the youngest Miss Winwood,’ said Lethbridge. ‘A romance, you perceive. I believe she is not out of the schoolroom.’
    The Macaroni, Mr Crosby Drelincourt, mechanically straightened the preposterous bow he wore in place of a cravat. ‘Pho, it is a tale!’ he said uneasily. ‘Where had you it?’
    Lethbridge raised his thin, rather slanting brows. ‘Oh, I had it from the little Maulfrey. It will be in the Gazette by to-morrow.’
    ‘Well, it’s very interesting,’ said a portly gentleman in claret velvet, ‘but the game, Lethbridge, the game!’
    ‘The game,’ bowed his lordship, and sent a glance round at the cards on the table.
    Lady Massey, who had won the couch, suddenly put out her hand and nicked the corner of the Queen that lay before her. ‘Paroli!’ she said in a quick, unsteady voice.
    Lethbridge turned up two cards, and sent her a mocking look. ‘Ace wins, Queen loses,’ he said. ‘Your luck is quite out, my lady.’
    She gave a little laugh. ‘I assure you I don’t regard it. Lose to-night, win to-morrow. It goes up and down.’
    The game proceeded. It was not until later when the company stood about in little chatting groups, partaking of very excellent refreshments, that Rule’s betrothal was remembered. It was Lady Amelia, rolling up to Lethbridge, with a glass of hot negus in one hand and a sweet biscuit in the other, who said in her downright way: ‘You’re a dog, Lethbridge. What possessed you to hop out with that, man?’
    ‘Why not?’ said his lordship coolly. ‘I thought you would all be interested.’
    Lady Amelia finished her negus, and looked across the room towards her hostess. ‘Diverting,’ she commented. ‘Did she think to get Rule?’
    Lethbridge shrugged. ‘Why do you ask me? I’m not in the lady’s confidence.’
    ‘H’m! You’ve a trick of knowing things, Lethbridge. Silly creature. Rule’s not such a fool.’ Her cynical eye wandered in search of Mr Drelincourt, and presently found him, standing apart, and pulling at his underlip. She chuckled. ‘Took it badly, eh?’
    Lord Lethbridge followed the direction of her gaze. ‘Confess, I’ve afforded you some amusement, my lady.’
    ‘Lord, you’re like a gnat, my dear man.’ She became aware of little Mr Paget inquisitively at her elbow, and dug at his ribs with her fan. ‘What do you give for Crosby’s chances now?’
    Mr Paget tittered. ‘Or our fair hostess’s, ma’am!’
    She gave a shrug of her large white shoulders. ‘Oh, if you want to pry into the silly woman’s affairs – !’ she said, and moved away.
    Mr Paget transferred his attention to Lord Lethbridge.
    ‘’Pon my soul, my lord, I’ll swear she went white under the rouge!’ Lethbridge took snuff. ‘Cruel of you, my lord, ’pon my soul it was!’
    ‘Do you think so?’ said his lordship with almost dulcet sweetness.
    ‘Oh, positively, sir, positively! Not a doubt she had hopes of Rule. But it would never do, you know. I believe his