Free Lady Madeline's Folly by Joan Smith Page B

necessary to let her know nothing is going to come of it. We were not committed in any way, no engagement, nothing of that sort. It is only that she might have had some expectations. You know how silly some girls are. You stand up with them twice, and they take the notion an offer is about to be made. We parted on the best of terms, no hearts broken, no hard feelings on either side. In fact, I come to think I was overly solicitous for her feelings. She already had another fellow on the string, but when you deal with people’s feelings, you don’t want to risk hurting them.
    “There, that is my last confession for the day. Are you wretchedly disappointed in me? I have been unattractively secretive in my dealings with you. I want that to be all over between us. You know exactly where I stand. My heart is lighter for having told you.”
    “Wretch! To get me all in a dither for nothing. I’m sure there are dozens of girls brokenhearted to see you leave your home. If the chit you speak of has got herself another beau already, she cannot have been brokenhearted.”
    “No, and neither am I. She seemed so terribly rustic, so narrow in her interests to me after being with you—in the city, I mean, mixing with all the people you have introduced me to. Quite spoiled me for the provincial life. You had better make me a prime minister, milady, for you have ruined me for the station to which I was born.”
    “Who is to say you were born to molder in the country? There is nothing to stand in the way of anyone’s getting to the top. It is not only in America that men are born equal.”
    “Money, for one thing, stands in the way. The lack of it, I mean.”
    “If that is all that’s keeping you out of the prime minister’s seat, we must find you a nice, rich wife,” she suggested, regarding him closely, but in a careful way, pretending to glance past his head out the window.
    “Have you anyone special in mind?” he asked softly.
    “No, how should I so soon? Give me the commission, and I shall present half a dozen debs for your perusal, sir.”
    “Don’t limit the selection to debs, Maddie. I always preferred older ladies.” His eyes were smiling, admiring, questioning, bright with interest.
    “What would a young rogue like you want with an older lady?” she quizzed.
    “I don’t mean ancient. No gray-haired widows, if you please. Some lady with town bronze, to guide me through the shoals and narrows of the wicked city. Any friend of yours...”
    “The ladies who made their bows with me are mostly married, unless they are positive antidotes. I don’t suppose you would settle for a squint, or a gapped-tooth smile?”
    “I am convinced you will find me someone. I leave the matter entirely in your capable hands. If you fail, then I have an idea myself...”
    No more was said on the subject, but the look they exchanged expressed a complete understanding.
    “I’m very glad you told me everything. The fact is, Eskott came running to me with tales of your speaking to Neville, and of course I was furious.”
    “You must have been ready to boil me in oil. I might have known Eskott would do me a bad turn if he could. He’s in love with you, isn’t he?”
    “He is fond of me. We’re very old friends.”
    “He’s in love with you. But I know you don’t lead him on. He is seen everywhere recently with Lady Susan Someone-or-other. A plain-looking girl, and old as the hills.”
    Madeline knew the lady was younger than herself, but she said nothing of that. “He is more often seen at the Second Court of St. James, I believe.”
    The end of the holiday passed like a sort of magical dream. She was seldom away from Henry. They drove, walked, and skated together during the day. In the evenings, they went to one country do, and on two occasions had guests in to be entertained. Henry was gallant, attentive, jealous of any competition, with a blend of subservience, awareness of his inferior position, yet manly firmness that could