Midnight My Love Read Online Free Page A

George is reaching its perihelion, and I must chart its
course. I really should not have come to Bath at all, except we
were feeling rather moped at home."
    "Yes, I should think you were," he said. "I
must tell you that in my opinion, there are more important matters
to concern your pretty head with than a silly star."
    Alex raised her chin
slightly. "The George is not a star, Carlisle. It is a planet. The Georgian Planet .
Papa called it the George for short, and so do I. But that's
neither here nor there. Of course, there are more important matters
that concern me. You know there are."
    The movements of the dance separated them,
and when again they came together, Carlisle gently pressed her
hand. "Still no word from your brother?"
    "No. It's been almost four months since his
last letter. If I don't hear anything by next week, I'm going back
to London to make more inquiries."
    "My dear Miss Turlington, I wish you would
grant me the privilege of sharing this burden; indeed, I would like
to share all of your burdens, as you well know," Sir Howard said,
pressing his suit further along.
    "You're very kind, but I need more time to
consider. I know you must think me a widgeon," Alex murmured.
    "Never that, my dear. I understand your
indecision. Marriage is an important commitment and should not be
rushed into. You must excuse me for seeming impatient. A man in
love sometimes becomes overly eager."
    The blatant declaration made Alexandra feel
squeamish and uncomfortable. "You've been wonderfully patient with
me, Carlisle. I'll try to give you my answer before we leave
Bath."
    When the dance ended, Sir Howard led her
back to Jenny. Alex saw that Aunt Haygood had seated herself on the
sofa next to her friend.
    Miss Rachel Haygood, a fifty-year-old
spinster, lived with Alexandra at Willowmede. She was overly plump,
honest to a fault, transparent in her emotions, and dressed in
outrageously bright-colored clothes. Alex often wished her aunt had
a more subdued taste in apparel. Tonight, she wore a purple satin
gown with large pink ribbons. A monstrous turban of yellow silk
perched precariously on top of her titian-colored hair.
    "I'm ready to go home, niece," Miss Haygood
announced pugnaciously.
    Alexandra dared not meet Jenny's glance;
they both knew Aunt Haygood considered Sir Howard a threat to her
comfortable way of life. Alex was aware her aunt fondly believed
they were both confirmed spinsters who would live contentedly
together for the rest of their days.
    She sat beside her aunt. "But it's early
yet, dear heart. I thought you were having a comfortable coze with
your cronies. Is something wrong?"
    "My lumbago is acting up again," she
complained loudly, eyeing Sir Howard with ill-concealed hostility.
"I must get home and brew some chamomile tea."
    Alexandra bit her lip to
keep from smiling. Aunt Haygood was not overly fond of men, and whenever
any of her niece's suitors came around, her lumbago always flared
up.
    "I'll send for the carriage immediately,"
Alex told her. "Jenny and I shall wait until the ball is over. It's
almost eleven, so we won't be far behind. I'm sure Carlisle won't
mind escorting us to Laura Place."
    "It would be an honor to perform such a
pleasant service," Sir Howard replied promptly.
    "I'll stay," Miss Haygood
said in martyred tones. "Never let it be said Rachel Haygood
shirked her duty towards her family. Even if I am in considerable pain, I
will not desert
my post!"
    Alexandra smiled indulgently as her aunt
continued.
    "You know I would never
leave you alone, unchaperoned, in the midst of all these men !"
    The music started again. Sir Howard cleared
his throat, glancing uneasily at Miss Haygood. "I believe this is
our dance, Miss Turlington. Shall we?"
    "How many times do you plan to stand up with
my niece tonight, sirrah?" demanded Miss Haygood.
    "You know I would never claim more than two
dances with any lady of my acquaintance," Carlisle said, on the
defensive.
    "I know nothing of the kind," she