Cotillion by Georgette Heyer Page A

I believe that he is a very dashing blade, as Freddy would say! My dear Fish, has he added you to his many conquests? The most shocking flirt in town, I am persuaded! He does very well for—for one’s entertainment, but the female who receives his advances seriously will be destined, I fear, to sad disappointment! But do not let us be talking about such a rattle! The thing is, Fish, that Freddy is very desirous of presenting me to his parents, and means to carry me off to London almost immediately.”
    “But, Kitty, you are already acquainted with dear Lady Legerwood!” objected Miss Fishguard. “And with Lord Legerwood too, for now I come to think of it, he accompanied her ladyship to Arnside, on the occasion of—”
    “Yes, yes, but that is more than a year ago!” Kitty pointed out. “Lord Legerwood’s relations, too—I believe he has many, and you must know that I have never met them! Besides, there will be all my bride-clothes to order from the warehouses, and—and—You must perceive, Fish, that it will be proper for me to visit the Legerwoods!”
    Miss Fishguard acknowledged it, but ventured to enquire who was to fill Kitty’s place at Arnside while she went away on this visit of duty.
    “Why, you, to be sure!” declared Kitty, with a brilliant smile.
    Miss Fishguard had already faced with a sinking heart the prospect of being obliged, at an advanced time of life, to seek a new position, and it spoke volumes for the real benevolence of her character that she had been able to face it with fortitude, resolutely stifling every selfish wish that her pupil might remain unwed, and thus in need of her continued chaperonage. The tidings that her services would still be needed at Arnside, so far from relieving her mind of its most pressing care, threw her into disorder and no little agitation. “Remain to keep house for Mr. Penicuik?” she almost shrieked. “Oh, I could not! Oh, Kitty, how can you think of such a thing? You know how much he dislikes me!”
    “Fiddle!” said Kitty bracingly. “It is only that you will let him bully and browbeat you, Fish! Depend upon it, he would be very much vexed if you left Arnside! You must be firm! Remember how much he hates to have strangers about him! If he should throw his stick at you, or fly into one of his absurd rages, you have but to tell him that you mean to leave Arnside immediately, and I assure you he will mend his ways!” She perceived that dismay still dwelled in Miss Fishguard’s countenance, and said imploringly: “Pray, Fish, do not fail me, I beg of you! He will never let me go to London if you too desert him! It will only be for one month! Oh, Fish—!”
    Much moved, Miss Fishguard shed tears, and declared that no power on earth should prevail upon her to fail her dearest Kitty. But she felt bound to add, as she wiped her reddened eyes, that she was by no means persuaded that the betrothal would find favour with Mr. Penicuik! “My love, it is my duty to utter a warning!” she said, hiccupping on a sob. “I believe him to have intended, from the outset, to bestow you upon Mr. Jack! You cannot have failed to observe how vexed he is that Mr. Jack has not come to Arnside, how he delayed to make known his intentions for a whole day! Spiddle told me tonight—not that I would have you suppose that I have been gossiping with the servants, but you know how they will talk!—Well, he told me that Mr. Penicuik is in such a taking as never was, not having imagined that Mr. Jack would absent himself upon such an occasion. I have the greatest apprehension that you and dear Mr. Frederick may encounter strong opposition, and that there is little likelihood of his consenting to your proposed visit to London.”
    But when the affianced couple obeyed a summons to Mr. Penicuik’s dressing-room next morning, he surprised them both by receiving them with almost alarming affability. In what spirit he had greeted the news of the engagement, obligingly conveyed to him