Marrying Miss Hemingford by Nadia Nichols Page B

would the poor man go? And what would happen to his patients, Tildy Smith and all those like her?
    â€˜Indeed, there is,’ Lady Mancroft said. ‘Shall you come?’
    Anne pulled herself together to answer. ‘If my aunt feels up to it.’
    â€˜Why should I not?’ her aunt demanded. ‘There is nothing at all wrong with me, as that foolish doctor was obliged to admit. I shall certainly attend and so will you, Anne. Now, I propose to take a turn around the room. Major Mancroft, may I take your arm?’
    He rose with alacrity and offered his arm and together they set off to perambulate the circumference of the room.
    Captain Gosforth sat down beside Anne in the seat vacated by her aunt. ‘Miss Hemingford, I do most earnestly hope Mrs Bartrum has recovered from her misadventure.’
    â€˜I believe she has, Captain.’
    â€˜That is a great relief. I feel responsible. I should never have suggested visiting that tent; it was not the place to take someone of such fine sensibility.’
    â€˜I am sure she does not blame you, sir.’
    â€˜Oh, how relieved I am to hear that. Do you think she would consent to another picnic? Perhaps on the Downs. There are some pleasant spots near my home.’
    â€˜You must ask her yourself, Captain.’ It was said witha smile, which he took for encouragement, and he hurried off to prise the lady away from the Major.
    Anne was thoroughly amused by the behaviour of the two gentlemen. Her aunt was a dear and they obviously appreciated her qualities. Anne did not believe for a moment that they were toadying to Mrs Bartrum to enlist her support in the pursuit of Anne herself, which was what her aunt believed. ‘I’ll not discourage them,’ Aunt Bartrum had told her. ‘Then I shall be better able to judge which will make the most suitable match for you.’
    â€˜Perhaps neither of them wants me and I should hate them to think I entertained expectations…’
    â€˜My dear Anne, I do hope you are not going to be difficult. They are both very eligible. The Major is Lord Mancroft’s heir and though Captain Gosforth has no title, his family is an old and respected one and he is well up in the stirrups. And where else are you going to find a husband so late in life?’
    â€˜Aunt, I am not looking for one.’
    â€˜Of course you are.’ This had been said with such firm conviction, Anne had not the heart to contradict her.
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    By the time everyone had drunk tea, eaten cakes and biscuits and mulled over all the latest gossip, it was time to go home to prepare for whatever evening entertainment had been arranged. By then Anne and her aunt had become on nodding terms with most of the people in the room and, according to Mrs Bartrum, their stay in Brighton looked set fair to have a happy outcome.
    â€˜I think I shall come out of full mourning and wear half-mourning for the ball tomorrow night,’ she told Anneas they rode home in the carriage Captain Gosforth had put at their disposal. ‘For your sake, of course.’
    â€˜Of course,’ Anne murmured with a smile. ‘Have you decided what to wear?’
    â€˜Purple with silver trimming,’ she said. ‘That should be suitable and it will go well with your lilac ball gown.’ She paused. ‘And I think we should hire a carriage and a groom for the duration of our stay. I should not like Captain Gosforth and Major Mancroft to come to blows over who should provide us with transport.’
    Anne laughed. ‘Aunt, I thought that was what you wanted, rivalry between the two gentlemen.’
    â€˜Rivalry, yes, but only in a civilised way. I should hate duels or fisticuffs…’
    â€˜Oh, I am sure it will never come to that.’
    â€˜I have told them both that I will not favour one over the other and the choice will be left entirely to you.’
    â€˜And what did they say to that?’ Anne asked, highly diverted. She was