A Sensible Lady: A Traditional Regency Romance by Judith Lown Page A
Authors: Judith Lown
Tags: Romance
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for a more pleasant life for a husband to go along with them. Mama had allies in Grandpapa and Grandmama , whose natural world was society.”
“Your grandfather is that imposing figure in the entry hall?”
Harry was tiring of the conversation. He nodded and glanced over Leticia Brampton’s shoulder.
“Has anyone ever remarked on how very like him you are? Allowing, of course, for the differences in fashion,” she added with a giggle.
Contrasts with his father and comparisons with his grandfather had been the bane of Harry’s life.
“You detect some similarity, Miss Brampton? I shall have to study that portrait again and see if I can discover what you see.”
Harry smiled fulsomely and bowed.
“A pleasure chatting with you, Miss Brampton. I believe Squire Hamilton has a letter from Captain Hamilton that he is about to read aloud. If you will excuse me.”
But as Harry approached the sofa where the squire sat, letter in hand, the old gentleman gave the missive to Katherine.
“Here, Miss Katherine, if you would be so kind. My eyes are tired, and your reading voice will be a pleasure to hear.”
Harry would have liked to forgo listening to Katherine’s slightly husky contralto. It affected his breathing almost as much as the sight of her face did. But there was no escape, and he wanted to know the latest news from Charlie Hamilton.
Just a brief note to assure you that I am alive and well. I write you from France. Yes, we have, at last, taken the fight into the enemy’s territory. Saw a deal of action a few days back, but are now settling into winter quarters along the River Nive , not far from Bayonne, which no doubt will be our object come spring, unless the Emperor of the French has the good sense to realize his cause is lost and surrenders before that time. Cannot say I am counting on good sense from that quarter, though! Regardless, this war is winding down, and I have fond hopes of returning to Sussex before the end of 1814.
Send my love to Janie. I assume she is still husband hunting in Bath.
Your devoted son,
Charles
Katherine returned the letter to Squire Hamilton.
“What splendid news. How comforting to know he is safe and well.”
Squire Hamilton patted Katherine’s hand with his gnarled paw.
“Of course I am grateful, but my heart aches for your loss, my dear. How we all miss Richard, and how keenly we shall feel it when, and if, Charles returns to us safely.”
Katherine swallowed hard and nodded, blinking rapidly and fishing in her pocket for a handkerchief.
“And what do you hear of dear Jane?”
Mrs. Sythe -Burton could be counted on to smooth over difficult social moments.
The squire brightened.
“From her letters, one learns only of teas, balls, and shopping. But her Aunt Sophie writes that she has attracted the attention of not just one, but two very eligible suitors. I have hopes that this time next year I will have seen my Janie secure and settled in her own home.”
“Surely you are not speaking of the child who used to blubber over that incorrigible tom cat every time he returned bloodied from another fight?” Gus Wharton asked wonderingly.
Squire Hamilton chuckled.
“The very one, Wharton. Although I doubt you would recognize her. Not sure she has much thought for wounded animals these days.”
Harry looked at Gus with satisfaction. It was comforting to know that Gus Wharton was feeling his age.
Harry’s sense of satisfaction, augmented by a few tots of brandy, might have been why he unthinkingly greeted Dorothea Brampton with something warmer than his habitual reserve when he and the other gentleman rejoined the ladies in the drawing room after a repast that had sent unanimous compliments to Cook.
Mrs. Brampton, not one to let an unexpected social advantage go to waste, patted the sofa next to where she sat.
“Do sit down, Lord Dracott, I vow I shall suffer a permanent crick in my neck looking up at you.”
Harry silently cursed the lapse in his
“Your grandfather is that imposing figure in the entry hall?”
Harry was tiring of the conversation. He nodded and glanced over Leticia Brampton’s shoulder.
“Has anyone ever remarked on how very like him you are? Allowing, of course, for the differences in fashion,” she added with a giggle.
Contrasts with his father and comparisons with his grandfather had been the bane of Harry’s life.
“You detect some similarity, Miss Brampton? I shall have to study that portrait again and see if I can discover what you see.”
Harry smiled fulsomely and bowed.
“A pleasure chatting with you, Miss Brampton. I believe Squire Hamilton has a letter from Captain Hamilton that he is about to read aloud. If you will excuse me.”
But as Harry approached the sofa where the squire sat, letter in hand, the old gentleman gave the missive to Katherine.
“Here, Miss Katherine, if you would be so kind. My eyes are tired, and your reading voice will be a pleasure to hear.”
Harry would have liked to forgo listening to Katherine’s slightly husky contralto. It affected his breathing almost as much as the sight of her face did. But there was no escape, and he wanted to know the latest news from Charlie Hamilton.
Just a brief note to assure you that I am alive and well. I write you from France. Yes, we have, at last, taken the fight into the enemy’s territory. Saw a deal of action a few days back, but are now settling into winter quarters along the River Nive , not far from Bayonne, which no doubt will be our object come spring, unless the Emperor of the French has the good sense to realize his cause is lost and surrenders before that time. Cannot say I am counting on good sense from that quarter, though! Regardless, this war is winding down, and I have fond hopes of returning to Sussex before the end of 1814.
Send my love to Janie. I assume she is still husband hunting in Bath.
Your devoted son,
Charles
Katherine returned the letter to Squire Hamilton.
“What splendid news. How comforting to know he is safe and well.”
Squire Hamilton patted Katherine’s hand with his gnarled paw.
“Of course I am grateful, but my heart aches for your loss, my dear. How we all miss Richard, and how keenly we shall feel it when, and if, Charles returns to us safely.”
Katherine swallowed hard and nodded, blinking rapidly and fishing in her pocket for a handkerchief.
“And what do you hear of dear Jane?”
Mrs. Sythe -Burton could be counted on to smooth over difficult social moments.
The squire brightened.
“From her letters, one learns only of teas, balls, and shopping. But her Aunt Sophie writes that she has attracted the attention of not just one, but two very eligible suitors. I have hopes that this time next year I will have seen my Janie secure and settled in her own home.”
“Surely you are not speaking of the child who used to blubber over that incorrigible tom cat every time he returned bloodied from another fight?” Gus Wharton asked wonderingly.
Squire Hamilton chuckled.
“The very one, Wharton. Although I doubt you would recognize her. Not sure she has much thought for wounded animals these days.”
Harry looked at Gus with satisfaction. It was comforting to know that Gus Wharton was feeling his age.
Harry’s sense of satisfaction, augmented by a few tots of brandy, might have been why he unthinkingly greeted Dorothea Brampton with something warmer than his habitual reserve when he and the other gentleman rejoined the ladies in the drawing room after a repast that had sent unanimous compliments to Cook.
Mrs. Brampton, not one to let an unexpected social advantage go to waste, patted the sofa next to where she sat.
“Do sit down, Lord Dracott, I vow I shall suffer a permanent crick in my neck looking up at you.”
Harry silently cursed the lapse in his
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