Free The Foundling by Georgette Heyer

dress, and I am confident you will conduct yourself just as you should. Now, do not be dawdling here any longer, my dear! Bustle about a little, if you please! I shall come up to your bedchamber to fetch you myself in half an hour, and I hope you do not mean to keep me waiting. Miss Abinger, be so good as to accompany my daughter, and to make sure that she is dressed just as she should be! Her maid has no head, not the least in the world!"
    "Certainly, Lady Ampleforth," said Miss Abinger, in her colourless way. "Come, Lady Harriet!"
    She laid her hand on Harriet's trembling arm, and almost propelled her to the door. When she had firmly closed this behind them, she said in a warmer tone: "My dear, try to compose yourself! What is the matter?"
    "Oh, Abby, I don't know!" Harriet replied, in some agitation. "Only I did not look for this, and I do not wish—I do not think—"
    "Forgive me, but I had not supposed that you were indifferent to the Duke."
    "Not indifferent, no!" Harriet said, averting her face. "But he—!"
    They had reached the half-landing before Miss Abinger replied. She said then: "I believe the Duke entertains feelings of the warmest regard for you, my love. He is a very amiable young man, and one who will not fail to treat you with all the courtesy and consideration one could wish for you. Indeed, I think you are to be envied! I know your mind to be of too nice a tone to care for such things, but you will occupy a position of the first consequence, and you will enjoy great wealth. Reflect that in addition to this you will have a husband who partakes of many of your sentiments, and is, I am persuaded, the model of compliance and good nature."
    "He does not love me," Harriet said. "It is his uncle's doing, and Mama's. I know it, Abby!"
    "I shall not dispute with you on that head, my dear Lady Harriet, and I believe it will not serve to discuss it. Yet I must venture to tell you that I do not by any means despair of your happiness in this alliance. You know, it is not commonly the thing for persons in your station in life to make what is called a love-match."
    "No," Harriet agreed dejectedly.
    They had reached the upper floor by this time. As Miss Abinger grasped the door-handle of Harriet's bedroom, she added deliberately: "You are not always quite at your ease in your home, dear Lady Harriet. I fancy you may be happier in an establishment of your own. But I have said too much, and we shall soon have your mama coming up to fetch you!"
    Harriet coloured, but was silent. While Miss Abinger directed the maid to unpack her mistress's cambric muslin, she waited, looking out of the window between the lace blinds. Her colour faded gradually, and she was able in a few minutes to reply to a chance question with tolerable composure. It was by no means Miss Abinger's business to dress the hair of her pupils, but she elected to do so, and with so much taste that when Lady Ampleforth came into the room presently she nodded approvingly, and said: "Very well, indeed! I could wish that you had a trifle more countenance, my love, but you look very becomingly. But hold yourself up, if you please! An air of languor can never be pleasing in a girl, remember! Now, if you are ready, we will go downstairs."
    "I am quite ready, Mama."
    Lady Ampleforth preceded her out of the room, but paused at the head of the stairs to take her hand. "There is no need for you to feel the slightest embarrassment, Harriet," she said kindly. "Sale is a very pretty-behaved young man, and his manners reflect the greatest credit on his upbringing. I only wish your brother had them! I daresay he will do or say nothing to make you blush. Besides, I should not think of leaving you alone together, so have no fears on that score!"
    "No, Mama," said Harriet.
    Lord Ampleforth and the Duke were standing in front of the fire in the book-room, conversing in a desultory and uncomfortable fashion. Lord Ampleforth was looking rather more harassed than before; and half an