Charming the Vicar's Daughter Read Online Free Page B

over the Pickled Grouse?”
    Rebecca tugged at her shawl, uncomfortable at being put on the spot like this. “If the Lumleys plan to attend, they will likely include Mr. Harrow in their party.”
    Mr. Trey Lumley came to stand on Rebecca’s other side. “Yes, of course we will. Do you plan to be here, Neil?”
    Mr. Harrow smiled down at Rebecca. “Is that the weekend of the wedding? I would like that. Miss Cookson, will you save each of us a dance?”
    That smile held her mind captive, stealing her ability to speak. She normally attended all the assemblies, as did most of the villagers, but no one danced with her since…well, since that day. No one under the age of forty, at least. Could the poor man see he was a pawn in this game? She forced herself to respond. “I would enjoy dancing with you. All of you,” she hastened to add.
    Mrs. Carlyle clapped her hands. “How delightful. I must go call upon Mrs. Benjamin and Mrs. Lewis.” She bustled off down the lane.
    “My father will wonder where I am. Good day to you all,” Rebecca said, nodding to the three young men and heading toward the vicarage.
    Mr. Harrow walked with her still. “They don’t seem as meddlesome as I have heard.”
    “Who?”
    “Mrs. Carlyle and Mrs. Benjamin.”
    “Don’t forget Mrs. Lewis. How can you say so, when Mrs. Carlyle just signed your name on my dance card?” Was he truly that naive? And his parents were allowing him to live on his own in London? He would be betrothed within a week of his first ball.
    “How do you know I wouldn’t have asked you to dance?”
    She stopped, pivoting on her toes to face him. “This is not a game, Mr. Harrow. These ladies are determined to find me a suitable husband and the local market has grown low on stock. You do me no favors by playing into their hands. I beg you to stay away from me.”
    Mr. Trey Lumley tugged on Mr. Harrow’s sleeve. “She’s right. This is a small village, and people talk. Save the games until you get to Town, although I don’t recommend taking your dealings with the young ladies lightly there, either. Miss Cookson is expected to hold herself to a higher standard than the rest of us, though, being the vicar’s daughter.”
    “It’s true,” his brother said. “Although no one takes the widows seriously, Miss Cookson. We know you are a proper lady.”
    “Thank you.” She smiled at him. Mr. Sam Lumley was the sweetest of the men in that family, a quality that might one day find him in a situation he can’t escape. She often added a prayer for God to watch over him and keep away anyone who might abuse his trust. “As I said, I will be happy to dance with each of you at the assembly. Please do not expect me to socialize with you in between sets, however. It is for your well being, as well as mine.”
    She turned away before Mr. Harrow could say anything else.

Chapter Five
    The assembly room was crowded and warm, laughter and a multitude of voices bouncing off the walls. Neil surveyed the small space, taking it all in. Knightwick, as the highest-ranking man present, began the first set partnered with the daughter of a wealthy landowner, and his brothers seemed to choose their first partners by their rank in the local society, too. The only exception was David, who danced with his fiancée while her mother looked on. Lord and Lady Bridgethorpe had remained at home, as Neil learned they often did now.
    Neil hoped to partner first with Miss Cookson, but Knightwick introduced him to a young lady on the verge of spinsterhood. Her looks were plain, her gown less fancy than the other ladies, but her smiled seemed genuine when Neil offered his arm.
    While they waited for the music to begin, Neil searched the room for Miss Cookson. She stood further up the line of dancers opposite a white-haired man who looked older than her father. Neil frowned and almost missed the first steps. There were plenty of young men in the room, and most seemed to be enjoying the dancing. Why