A Seven Year Hitch Read Online Free

get together and everyone will be descending on us by the end of the week. Oh, and Mrs. Hardy has you in mind as a son-in-law which means that all the mothers with marriageable daughters will be finding excuses to call just as soon as they hear that you have taken up residence”
    “I’d rather face Boney any day!” he replied with a shudder.

Chapter Two
     
    “Come here my darling girl and let me give you a hug. My word, I do declare you are prettier than ever and so like your dear mother, God rest her soul !” Aunt Clara clasped Erica to her ample bosom and kissed her cheek fondly, before turning her attention to Gerald.
    “My word, much as I disapproved of your decision to go into the army, I have to admit it has done you no harm. You’re a handsome devil and will be causing a stir with all the young ladies and their mammas. Have you a kiss for you old aunt?”
    Gerald picked her up in a big bear hug and kissed her soundly. “Aunt Clara, how glad I am to see you! And I do declare you are younger looking than ever. How old are you now, twenty-three, and twenty-four?”
    “Nonsensical boy!” Aunt Clara scolded but with a beaming smile that declared her delight at his words.
    “Let me show you to your room, Aunt,” Erica said as she linked arms and together they strolled towards the stairs. “I’ve put you in the rose room-well away from the nursery so you won’t be disturbed by the children and with a view over the lake.”
    “You are a good girl and I have to be honest, I could do with a lovely cup of tea and to my feet up for half an hour before I face the rabble!”
    “Then that’s what you shall have, Aunt dear. I shall have the tea sent up immediately.”
    Guests had been arriving throughout the a fternoon for the two-week sojourn at Monksleigh Abbey. They were mainly family members although a few friends; close enough to be considered family, had also been invited. The tradition had begun on the marriage of Erica’s parents when they had decided to invite their parents and siblings for a house party. Everybody had enjoyed themselves so much, it had been repeated the following and every subsequent year with everyone taking it in turn to host the event. Over the years it had expanded with the arrival of children and ultimately grandchildren, but everyone made the effort to attend because it was a time for catching up with family news and to relax.
    Lots of activities were usually planned from sports competitions to picnics and from amateur dramatics to treasure hun ts whereby anyone who wanted could participate regardless of age or sex.
    Perhaps the thing that made it so much better than other house parties and social events was the fact that no one had to stand on ceremony. The debutantes were not concerned with having to impress prospective husbands; the matrons did not need to chaperone their marriageable daughters and the young men did not have to avoid the traps laid by matchmaking mamas or eager young ladies. Of-course, not everyone were blood relatives and over the years some people had fallen in love, but it had happened quite naturally without any contrivance. It could be argued that in such an atmosphere the happy couple had really got to know each other before committing to a lifetime together, which was more than could be said of those who had met during the restrictions of the season.
    “How many more are we expecting?” Gerald asked Erica when she returned from seeing Aunt Clara to her room.
    “All the family members have arrived so it is just the Duke and Duchess of Penkhill and the ir son the Marquis of Trevellyn,” she replied, consulting her list.
    “Definitely not relations so no doubt there are good reasons as to why they received an invite?”
    “They are near neighbours and good friends of Uncle John and Aunt Lucy and so were invited when they hosted the holiday about three years ago. They were such delightful company; not at all top-lofty, and fitted in so well that they