manners, but also because he was not yet up to a gallop? The captain could not like having it pointed out to the others that he was still so weak.
But Edward did not seem to take offense. “I am afraid I am not yet up to the rigours of a gallop, Lady Juliette, improved though my health is. I must forgo the pleasure until I have regained more of my strength. Until then I am glad the presence of Lord Staplefield keeps you from being denied your exercise."
"Odds boots and spurs," Lord Staplefield replied, sweeping off his gold-laced hat gallantly, "I am overjoyed to be of service to such a Vision of Beauty."
Jane wondered at Lord Staplefield’s continuing to speak to Lady Juliette in the overdone fashion of the 1770s, for the new earl normally only spoke so on occasion in fun. Jane saw Edward give the earl a sharp look, as though he wondered at it, too, but he made no comment.
Lord Staplefield and Lady Juliette rode off ahead once again, and Jane completed the ride in Edward's company, although she had little pleasure from it, for he spent most of his time gazing after Lady Juliette. Like a mooncalf, Jane thought uncharitably, and was relieved when the ride was over. Edward pressed Jane and Fanny to stay at Haverton Park and visit with his guests, but Jane refused, protesting they could not remain in their riding clothes. Edward accepted this excuse, but insisted that they return that afternoon, a request seconded by Jamie and Lord Blackwood. Realising she could not refuse without appearing uncivil, Jane was forced to agree to the additional outing.
* * * *
When Jane and Fanny returned to Haverton Park that afternoon, they found Lord Staplefield, the Blackwoods, and Lady Tremaine already assembled in the green drawing room. From snatches of conversation that drifted her way, Jane could tell the gentlemen were engrossed in a discussion on horses. Lady Juliette, who had changed into a cambric round gown of a blue that matched her eyes, was discoursing with Lady Tremaine in an animated fashion. As Jane and Fanny were announced by Dawkins, Lady Juliette turned to them with a smile.
"Miss Hampton, I hear you are something of a great reader. You must resolve our dispute. I say that Marmion is the better of Mr. Scott's poetical works, but Lady Tremaine claims it cannot match The Lay of the Last Minstrel."
"You must ask my sister, Fanny," Jane replied, smiling as she seated herself on a green brocade upholstered chair near the window. "I must confess I have read neither."
Lady Juliette's eyebrows rose fractionally. "You speak seriously, Miss Hampton? You have not read Mr. Scott's works?"
"How very peculiar," Lady Martin sniffed, her high-bridged nose lifting higher.
"My sister has no time for light works," defended Fanny. "She assists our father with his studies. He is a scholar."
"Oh, a bluestocking," Lady Juliette replied, her tone saying that explained everything. Jane flushed, wishing she had stayed away whether it would have been rude or not. Lady Juliette was proving to have the knack of always making her feel a backward provincial.
"Faith, can't say I've read them m'self," Lord Staplefield interposed. "Odds meters and rhymes, I say there's no equal to Cunninghame:
‘I'll wear thy colours in my cap,
Thy picture at my heart,
And he that bends not to thine eye
Shall rue it to his smart!’”
Having thus quoted from the eighteenth-century poet, the earl glanced meaningfully at Lady Juliette.
Lady Juliette's attention was successfully diverted from Jane's shortcomings, and a discussion of favourite poets ensued.
"Tell me, Miss Hampton," a voice spoke softly in Jane’s ear, "does our Sir Lucius O’Trigger always speak so, or is it for my sister's benefit only?"
Jane turned smilingly to Lord Blackwood, who had come to stand behind her chair. She was glad she did not have to confess ignorance of Lord Blackwood's allusion. Fortunately she had seen The Rivals performed in Bath. Lord Staplefield did sound
But Edward did not seem to take offense. “I am afraid I am not yet up to the rigours of a gallop, Lady Juliette, improved though my health is. I must forgo the pleasure until I have regained more of my strength. Until then I am glad the presence of Lord Staplefield keeps you from being denied your exercise."
"Odds boots and spurs," Lord Staplefield replied, sweeping off his gold-laced hat gallantly, "I am overjoyed to be of service to such a Vision of Beauty."
Jane wondered at Lord Staplefield’s continuing to speak to Lady Juliette in the overdone fashion of the 1770s, for the new earl normally only spoke so on occasion in fun. Jane saw Edward give the earl a sharp look, as though he wondered at it, too, but he made no comment.
Lord Staplefield and Lady Juliette rode off ahead once again, and Jane completed the ride in Edward's company, although she had little pleasure from it, for he spent most of his time gazing after Lady Juliette. Like a mooncalf, Jane thought uncharitably, and was relieved when the ride was over. Edward pressed Jane and Fanny to stay at Haverton Park and visit with his guests, but Jane refused, protesting they could not remain in their riding clothes. Edward accepted this excuse, but insisted that they return that afternoon, a request seconded by Jamie and Lord Blackwood. Realising she could not refuse without appearing uncivil, Jane was forced to agree to the additional outing.
* * * *
When Jane and Fanny returned to Haverton Park that afternoon, they found Lord Staplefield, the Blackwoods, and Lady Tremaine already assembled in the green drawing room. From snatches of conversation that drifted her way, Jane could tell the gentlemen were engrossed in a discussion on horses. Lady Juliette, who had changed into a cambric round gown of a blue that matched her eyes, was discoursing with Lady Tremaine in an animated fashion. As Jane and Fanny were announced by Dawkins, Lady Juliette turned to them with a smile.
"Miss Hampton, I hear you are something of a great reader. You must resolve our dispute. I say that Marmion is the better of Mr. Scott's poetical works, but Lady Tremaine claims it cannot match The Lay of the Last Minstrel."
"You must ask my sister, Fanny," Jane replied, smiling as she seated herself on a green brocade upholstered chair near the window. "I must confess I have read neither."
Lady Juliette's eyebrows rose fractionally. "You speak seriously, Miss Hampton? You have not read Mr. Scott's works?"
"How very peculiar," Lady Martin sniffed, her high-bridged nose lifting higher.
"My sister has no time for light works," defended Fanny. "She assists our father with his studies. He is a scholar."
"Oh, a bluestocking," Lady Juliette replied, her tone saying that explained everything. Jane flushed, wishing she had stayed away whether it would have been rude or not. Lady Juliette was proving to have the knack of always making her feel a backward provincial.
"Faith, can't say I've read them m'self," Lord Staplefield interposed. "Odds meters and rhymes, I say there's no equal to Cunninghame:
‘I'll wear thy colours in my cap,
Thy picture at my heart,
And he that bends not to thine eye
Shall rue it to his smart!’”
Having thus quoted from the eighteenth-century poet, the earl glanced meaningfully at Lady Juliette.
Lady Juliette's attention was successfully diverted from Jane's shortcomings, and a discussion of favourite poets ensued.
"Tell me, Miss Hampton," a voice spoke softly in Jane’s ear, "does our Sir Lucius O’Trigger always speak so, or is it for my sister's benefit only?"
Jane turned smilingly to Lord Blackwood, who had come to stand behind her chair. She was glad she did not have to confess ignorance of Lord Blackwood's allusion. Fortunately she had seen The Rivals performed in Bath. Lord Staplefield did sound
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