Free The Selfless Sister by Shirley Kennedy Page B

old tragedy cut through his thoughts and he let out a burst of self-deprecating laughter. Fool! Of all the women in this world not to get involved with, Miss Lucinda Linley would be at the top of the list.
     
    ***
     
    Dinner that night was just as silent and uncomfortable as the night before. The whole family ate in silence. Only once was there any sort of conversation when, in an attempt to alleviate the silence, Lady Linley commented to Edgerton, “All is in readiness for Lady Perry’s ball tomorrow night. You should see Alethea’s ball gown! It’s —”
    “Yes, gorgeous, I’m sure,” Edgerton impatiently finished for her. He glanced from his wife to Alethea. “Rumor has it that Belington’s brother, Alex, might attend. Is that true?”
    Alethea gave him a wide-eyed innocent stare. “How would I know, Papa? If he’s at the ball tomorrow night, you can rest assured I shall stay away from him.”
    “How wise,” Edgerton said in his mocking, understated way.
    After hearing that last exchange, Lucinda told herself how glad and relieved she was that Lord Belington was not going to the ball. Then she wondered why she was even thinking about him. He was much too rough and masculine for her, so unlike dear Papa who was the soul of gentleness. Indeed, Belington, with his booming voice and rough, assertive manner would be totally out of place in her own quiet, well-contained little world. She could not imagine why all day today thoughts of him kept popping into her mind.
    From the head of the table, Edgerton addressed her. “I understand, Cousin Lucinda, that you took a trek to the woods this morning.”
    Her pulse quickened. If he knew she’d gone to the woods, how much more did he know? If he knew she’d been talking to Lord Belington...oh, dear! Despite herself, Lucinda felt her stomach clench with fear. But she lifted her chin and spoke up bravely. “I was sketching birds, Cousin Edgerton.” She managed a bright smile. “As you know, I have a great interest in bird watching and was delighted when I found a lovely little yellowhammer.” Her stomach clenched tighter as she waited for his response.
    “Bird watching,” Edgerton said contemptuously. “Ah, well, it’s a suitable enough occupation for a young lady —not too much strain on her small brain.” He looked around the table as if expecting appreciative laughter. When none was forthcoming, he continued, “I can see no harm in what you’re doing. Mind you, take care to stay well away from Belington’s property.”
    “Of course,” Lucinda answered. Inside she was chiding herself for being such a coward. She, who had been silently critical of those who quivered and folded before the wrath of Edgerton, now found she had caved in herself. At least she could be grateful Edgerton was not aware of her encounter with his hated neighbor. Thank heaven, in all probability, she could completely avoid Douglas, Lord Belington, and in fact never lay eyes on him again.
     
    * * *
     
    The Master of Ravensbrook Manor, along with his younger brother Alex, was finishing his dinner at one end of the long, dark mahogany table in the huge dining hall. A footman replenished Douglas’s glass of port as he stared moodily into the cavernous Norman fireplace, watching as flames cast dancing shadows into the far, dark corners of the room. “Well, Alex, I see you have everything running smoothly.”
    Alex, seated to his right, regarded his older brother with a sardonic eye. “Uh-oh. I know you, Douglas. That means you’ll be heading back to London soon.”
    “Exactly.”
    “What ails you? You’ve been in a strange mood ever since you got back from your hunt.”
    “Nothing ails me,” Douglas answered flatly, ill concealing his annoyance. But then, he told himself, he had no right to be annoyed. Alex was only showing his concern, and the truth was, he truly hadn’t been himself since he’d met that girl in the woods this morning. “I’ve had something on my