Loving Protector Read Online Free Page A

Agatha, I did not.”
    “Yes. If I am correct in thinking so,
Miss Haywood’s grandmother was the youngest child of Lord Norton. Their family
is very artistic. Are you artistic, Miss Haywood?”
    Blanche, clearly deciding Calista had
had enough attention said, “I am told, though it is not for me to say, that I
play the pianoforte to perfection. Perhaps I could play for you one night.”
    “I was speaking of Miss Haywood. Are you
as artistic as the rest of your family, child?”
    “I paint a little,” said Calista. “And I
write poetry. I …” She paused, afraid that what she said next would be
considered shocking.
    “Yes, do go on.”
    “I like to design buildings, though I do
not have my father’s talent.”
    “It is hardly a pursuit for a lady,”
said Blanche. “Do you not think, Lady Bedlington?”
    “The Countess of Shrewsbury, helped to
design Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall,” said Calista, hotly.
    “Bess of Hardwick,” said Lady
Bedlington. “Yes, she was a rather formidable, but very talented woman.
Chatsworth is a masterpiece. Not that I am quite so old that I knew her.” Her
Ladyship’s eyes twinkled in Blanche’s direction, but Blanche seemed not to
notice.
    “Calista also redesigned some of our old
dresses,” said Evelyn. “She copied styles from the latest magazines to do so. I
do not think anyone would notice they are not brand new.”
    “They will now you have said, Mama,”
Blanche muttered.
    “That is very sensible,” said Lady
Bedlington. “Women spend far too much on clothes. I still have dresses that I purchased
twenty years ago. My maid does her best to redesign them but perhaps you might
take a look at them whilst you are here, Miss Haywood.”
    “I would be glad to be of any
assistance,” said Calista.
    “Of course,” said Blanche, “I was only
saying this morning, ‘Mama, you must not spend so much on clothes. It is a
waste of money.’ She would not listen and insisted I had all the accessories I
needed.”
    Calista clamped her lips shut,
remembering that particular tantrum well. Blanche had attracted the attention
of everyone in the shop.
    “Well…” said the Colonel, standing up.
“Whilst this talk of fashion is all very fascinating, Mr. Benedict and I must
arrange to have our luggage brought over.”
    “We forgot you were there, dear,” said
Lady Bedlington, smiling benignly.
    The colonel bowed. “Perhaps, Miss
Haywood, you would permit me to see some of your designs one day. Of buildings,
that is, not dresses.”
    “I fear I may well be out of a job
soon,” said Mr. Benedict, with a kind smile in Calista’s direction. “Especially
if you do have our father’s talent.”
    “As dearest Calista has told you in her
customary modest way,” said Blanche. “She is not very good.”
    “I hope she will allow us to be the
judge of her talent,” said the Colonel. “As we will be when you when you play
the pianoforte for us, Miss Kirkham.”
    Calista was not sure, but she suspected
there might have been an insult lurking in the Colonel’s words.
     “I shall very much look forward to
playing for you,” said Blanche, looking up at him through lowered lashes.

 
    Chapter
Three
    Calista sat in the garden and listened.
For once all she could hear was the sound of birds singing. Blanche had been
invited to visit two young sisters she had met at dinner the night before, and
it was made clear that Calista was not invited. Evelyn had left with Blanche,
apologizing to Calista as she did so.
    She did not mind. The sisters had been
vacuous in the extreme and she was more than happy to take a break from her
step-sister. The previous afternoon had been dominated by another tantrum about
Calista monopolizing Lady Bedlington.
    “I can hardly ignore her when she
addresses me directly,” said Calista.
    “Oh don’t play the innocent, Calista.
You were pushing yourself forward. What did you mean saying that you liked to
design buildings? I suppose that was to get