Free The Foundling by Georgette Heyer Page A

hour of his future mother-in-law's brisk, managing talk had so much oppressed the Duke's spirits that he bore the appearance more of one about to face a severe ordeal than of a hopeful suitor. He directed an anxious, questioning look at Harriet, but she kept her eyes lowered, and did not perceive it.
    "Ah, my child!" said Ampleforth, going to meet her. "I think your mama has told you that I have just received a very flattering offer for your hand." He took it as he spoke, and gave it a fond squeeze. "But I have told Gilly that I will not have you constrained, and you shall give him your own answer."
    He drew her forward; the Duke, miserably tongue-tied, managed to utter a few formal sentences; and Harriet, ready to sink, curtsied, and whispered a reply of which "very much obliged," and "most truly sensible of the honour," were the only audible words.
    Her father, apparently taking these to mean consent, held out her hand to the Duke, who took it in his own ice-cold one, and kissed it. He said: "You have made me very happy. I beg you to believe that I shall do everything in my power to—to make you happy too, Harriet!"
    "No one who knows you could doubt that, Gilly, I am sure!" Ampleforth said. "I don't scruple to say that you are two very fortunate young persons. I am sure I do not know which of you has the better disposition! Lady Ampleforth, I have something I wish to say to you! We will beg Gilly to excuse us for a minute."
    Her ladyship was so much astonished at having such tactics employed against her that she could think of nothing to say, except what she was too well-bred to say in front of a guest. Her husband was holding open the door, and she saw nothing for it but to leave the room with him. The Duke and his betrothed were left shyly confronting one another.
    Neither of them spoke for a moment. Then the Duke saw how pale Harriet was, and how much her hands trembled, and compassion made him forget his own ill-ease, and he said; "I hope you do not dislike it very much! I shall do my utmost not to give you cause for any unhappiness. You won't find me exacting, I promise, or—or—"
    "No, I do not dislike it," Harriet answered, in a low voice. "I shall try to be dutiful, and to behave just as you would wish. I—I have always had a—a great regard for you, Gilly."
    "And I for you, dear Harriet," he responded at once. "I do think we—we may suit very well. It shall not be my fault if we do not."
    She looked up at that. "I hope—oh, I hope it may never be mine! Forgive me! I find myself a little overcome! I had not the expectation—that is, I did not think you were in London, or that—you entertained for me those feelings which—"
    She broke off in confusion. He possessed her himself of her hand again. "Indeed, I am excessively attached to you!" he stammered; "I wish you were not going out of town immediately! It must have been my—my earnest endeavour to show you—But I may come to Bath, and you will allow me to squire you to all the dress-balls!" he added, with an attempt at lightness.
    A smile trembled on her lips. "Oh, yes! You know how well our steps suit!"
    "Yes, indeed! I am sure there is no one I am happier to stand up with, for you never make me feel myself to be such a miserable dwarf of a fellow!"
    "Oh, Gilly, how can you? You are no such thing!"
    He laughed. "Ah, you should hear my cousin Gideon on that head!"
    "You should hear Gaywood!" she retorted, gaining confidence. "He calls me a poor little dab of a creature!"
    "Brothers! We shall not care a fig for them, or cousins either!" he said. He saw that she was looking less pale, and ventured to kiss her cheek.
    Lady Ampleforth came back into the room in time to witness this embrace. Her sharp eyes detected Harriet's blush, and the way her hand went up as though to clasp the Duke's coat collar. She said: "Well, I make no doubt you have settled it all between you! It is an unfortunate circumstance that we should be going out of town at this precise