Midnight My Love Read Online Free

closed. "You know, I
didn't realize how serious an astronomer you'd actually become. In
your letters, you always mention your studies, but somehow I
thought it merely an amusement."
    "I'm afraid it's become an
obsession with me," Alex confessed. "Papa's dying wish was for me
to continue his search for the cause of the seventh planet's
irregular orbit. At first it was an onerous task, but now I'm
convinced Papa was correct in his assumptions. Something is indeed
causing the Georgium
Sidus --as Mr. Herschel named the
planet--to orbit erratically." A frown gathered on Alexandra's
brow, as it always did when she pondered this mystery. She glanced
at her friend and smiled. "For heaven's sake, don't get me started
or I'll prose on and on and you'll be bored to tears."
    Miss Sedgewicke shook her head. "As if I
could ever be bored in your company, my dear."
    "Well, of course you could, you goose!
Especially if I start in on my favorite topic."
    "That's nonsense, and you
know it," Jenny said. "Do you think Robert will allow you to set up
household alone in Bath?"
    "Good God, Jenny!" Alex exclaimed. "I'm
twenty-six years old and well able to set up and maintain an
establishment of my own. As for being alone, Aunt Haygood will
naturally continue to live with me."
    "And what about Sir Howard Carlisle?" Jenny
asked. "He seems to be pursuing you in great earnest. He followed
you to London this Season. If I remember correctly, Sir Howard
rarely goes to Town."
    "Yes, he prefers the
country, as do I." Alexandra fiddled with the strings of her
reticule sitting in her lap. "I am considering his offer, Jenny. I've been weighing
the advantages and disadvantages. I'm not getting any younger, and
I want to have children someday. I like Carlisle well enough, and
Bramble Court is only five miles from Willowmede. I could still
continue my work at the observatory, even though Carlisle thinks
it's all foolishness. His young son, Jonathan, is a dear. Yet
somehow I find I can't appreciate Carlisle as I should."
    Jenny opened her fan again. "Most marriages
start with respect and liking for one another. Love often comes
later. Don't let something that happened long ago ruin your life
forever, Alex. Sir Howard is worth ten Rochdales. It was only a
kiss, after all."
    Alex gave Jenny's hand a grateful squeeze.
"That is exactly what Rochdale said. Only a kiss. But why have
other men's kisses been so lacking?"
    "Why, Alex! How many kisses have you
received?" Jenny asked in mock horror.
    "I'll never tell," Alexandra replied
demurely, her eyes dancing.
    Jenny spoke seriously. "I think you should
give Sir Howard a chance. He's worth his weight in gold, you know."
Looking around, she searched the throng. "I thought he would be
here tonight. Ah, yes--I knew I could not have been mistaken! Here
comes your persistent suitor now."
    Alexandra looked across the crowded Assembly
Rooms to see her latest admirer making his way towards them. Sir
Howard Carlisle was a good-looking man. His guinea gold hair was
swept back from his broad forehead, his cheeks were rosy, and his
eyes a clear blue. He was of medium height and stockily built. Sir
Howard always dressed neat as a pin--a typical country squire. Alex
wondered why she couldn't admire him more.
    Carlisle came up to them just as Mr.
Nettleton and Mr. Bryant-Smythe arrived with the lemonade.
Alexandra made the introductions. Another dance was starting.
    Sir Howard bowed low over her hand. "If you
check your card, Miss Turlington, I believe you will find that this
is my dance."
    "I believe you're right, Carlisle." Catching
Jenny's eye, Alex tried not to smile. She was swept off onto the
dance floor, leaving behind an amused Miss Sedgewicke.
    "You look ravishing as always, my dear," Sir
Howard declared, casting a proprietary glance over her.
    "Thank you," replied Alex.
    He executed the steps of the dance with
deliberate precision. "How long do you plan to continue in
Bath?"
    "Only until the end of the week," she said.
"The