Love for Lucinda Read Online Free

and rising from her chair, she went around the end of the table to place a kiss on the top of her father’s head.
    Sir Thomas was mollified by her loving salute. He patted her hand where it rested upon his shoulder. “Very well, Lucinda. I shall say nothing more for now. You have always been a good, dutiful daughter. I know that in the end I may rely upon your good sense.”
    Lucinda chose to ignore the implication inherent in her father’s words. But she did not repeat her declaration that she would not wed Lord Potherby. Instead, she pretended that he was referring to her plans for the Season. “You may also rely upon Miss Blythe,” she said, smiling.
    Sir Thomas laughed. “Oh aye, and in that good lady, too.”
    He stood up and gathered his daughter in a brief fond embrace. When he put her from him, he said, “I shall tell your mother not to be anxious on your behalf. We must trust you to know your own mind, even though you are still too young to know much about the ways of the world. I do not scruple to tell you that Miss Blythe shall be of immeasurable value to you in that regard. You must allow yourself to be guided by her, for she does not want for sense.”
    “I know it,” said Lucinda, tucking her hand into her father’s arm as she walked with him toward the door. Outside the breakfast room, she turned to smile up at her father. “I am seeing my estate agent this morning, but afterward I shall be free. Shall I see you at luncheon?”
    Sir Thomas shook his head. “I believe that I shall take my leave of you now.” He gestured to the waiting footman. The servant came forward with his greatcoat, hat, and gloves.
    Lucinda’s surprise at his readiness to be off made her utter, “Are you leaving this instant? I did not realize that you had already made your preparations.”
    “I had decided to do so when I wakened this morning. I have tarried longer than I informed your mother that I would,” said Sir Thomas. He winked broadly at his daughter. “Besides, I know something of females, having lived in a houseful these many years. You will be wanting to see to the packing of half the house for this jaunt of yours. I would be very much in the way.”
    “Indeed you would,” agreed Lucinda. “But surely it is too early to think of leaving. Why, you have scarcely left the breakfast table!”
    “I meant to stay only long enough to have a few minutes with you this morning after I realized that your mother would be fretting that she has not heard from me before this,” said Sir Thomas, shrugging into his greatcoat. He took his hat and gloves from the footman and put them on. Then he turned to kiss his daughter upon her upturned cheek. “I have the carriage waiting at the front steps, so I shall be on my way.”
    “Very well, Papa.” Lucinda did not urge Sir Thomas to change his mind, and she saw him out. She was glad of her shawl when she emerged from the warmth of the house into the winter cold. She waved from the top of the front steps as her father climbed into the carriage. “Give my love to Mama,” she called.
    Sir Thomas waved acknowledgement from the carriage window. “You may depend upon me to relate all the news!” he promised. He put up the glass as the carriage started forward.
    Lucinda shook her head, but she also smiled with affection. It was inevitable that Sir Thomas would confide the particulars of Lucinda’s amazing scheme to his wife. Lucinda knew that she would then receive a letter from her mother requesting a more comprehensive explanation and offering a catechism of advice.
    The vehicle rolled away down the drive. Lucinda waved again, but she did not tarry to watch her father’s carriage round the bend in the gravel drive. She retreated into the house immediately.
    The footman thought it was the cold of the bleak January morning that had driven her ladyship inside so soon. But Lucinda’s thoughts were not dwelling on the frigid air.
    Instead, she was already occupied with all of