The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online Page B

worn so thin, the linen ones –’
    ‘About that, and a great many other things,’ he interrupted, smiling reassuringly down at her. ‘Why didn’t you confess like a man, Lindeth? Afraid to give your head to Mrs Wedmore for washing, no doubt! Go away, and I’ll try what I can do to make your peace with her!’
    ‘Oh, sir – !’protested Mrs Wedmore, much flustered. ‘As though I would think of such a thing! I was only wishful to explain to you –’
    ‘Of course you were! It’s quite unnecessary, however. What I wish is that you will tell me what must be purchased to make this house habitable, and where it may be most quickly obtained.’
    Mrs Wedmore could not remember when more welcome words had fallen on her ears. She gave a gasp, and said in a strangled voice that quite failed to conceal her emotions: ‘Yes, sir! I shall be most happy to – if you mean it, sir!’ She read confirmation in his face, drew a deep breath, and launched into a catalogue of her more pressing needs.
    The outcome of this interview would have vexed him very much, had he known of it; but as his staff at Manifold had always taken it for granted that whatever was needed in the house might instantly be ordered, and none of his neighbours considered anything less than the installation (by his mother) of the very newest and most revolutionary of closed kitchen-stoves to be worthy of interest, he had no idea that the carte blanche he gave the Wedmores would instantly become a topic for wonder and discussion in the district.
    It was Mrs Underhill who brought the news back to Staples, after visiting the Rectory one day for a comfortable gossip with Mrs Chartley. Mrs Wedmore, of Broom Hall, and Mrs Honeywick, of the Rectory, were old cronies, and into her friend’s receptive ear had Mrs Wedmore poured forth every detail of a never-to-be-forgotten orgy of spending in Leeds.
    ‘And let alone all the linen, and the china, and such, he’s got the builders at Broom Hall as well, looking to see what must be done to the roof, and inspecting every bit of timber in the house, so it looks as though he means to stay, doesn’t it, my dear?’ said Mrs Underhill.
    Miss Trent agreed that it did.
    ‘Yes, but on the other hand,’ argued Mrs Underhill, ‘he told Wedmore he wouldn’t be entertaining guests, so he didn’t want any smart footmen hired. Well, of course, he is asingle man, but you’d expect him to be inviting his friends to stay with him, wouldn’t you?’
    Not having considered the matter, Miss Trent had formed no expectations, but again she agreed.
    ‘Yes,’ nodded Mrs Underhill. Her face clouded. ‘But there’s something I don’t like, Miss Trent – not above half I don’t! He’s got a lord with him!’
    ‘Has he, indeed?’ said Miss Trent, trying to preserve her countenance. ‘What sort of a – I mean, which lord, ma’am?’
    ‘That I can’t tell you, for Mrs Honeywick couldn’t remember his name, so she wasn’t able to tell her mistress: only that he’s Sir Waldo’s cousin, and very young and handsome. Well! The Squire’s lady may be in high croak – which I don’t doubt she is, for, you know, my dear, she does think herself the pink of gentility – but for my part I had as lief we hadn’t got any handsome young lords strutting about the neighbourhood! Not that I don’t care for modish company. When Mr Underhill was alive we were for ever increasing our covers for guests, not to mention going to the Assemblies in Harrogate, and the York Races, and I’m sure if I’ve passed the time of day with one lord I’ve done so with a dozen. What’s more, my dear, for all the airs she gives herself, Mrs Mickleby won’t set such a dinner before this one as I shall, that you may depend on! Yes, and that puts me in mind of another thing! She’s sent out her dinner-cards, and not a word on mine about Tiffany! She told Mrs Chartley that she knew I shouldn’t wish her to invite Tiffany to a formal party, her not being,