Runaway Miss Read Online Free Page A

find something in the time available.’
    ‘It is very becoming,’ Harriet said, stepping back to appraise her friend. ‘You mean he is matchmaking?’
    ‘If he is, I cannot think what is behind it. I’m not sure I shall like it.’
    ‘Being married? Oh, surely you do not mean to be an old maid.’
    ‘It would be better than enduring an unhappy marriage,don’t you think? Once the deed is done, there’s no going back on it.’
    ‘I know that. But why should your marriage be unhappy? I set my heart on Freddie from the moment I met him and I know we shall deal well together.’
    ‘Then I wish you happy.’
    ‘Oh, I am sure I will be. The wedding is to be in June. I know it is very soon, but we have to be back from our wedding tour by the time Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess. You will be one of my attendants, won’t you?’
    ‘I shall be delighted, if Mama says I may.’
    ‘I would be even happier if I thought you were suited too. Do take advantage of the dancing. Almost every eligible in town is here. I am sure if you tried you could find someone.’
    Emma laughed. That seemed to be all that mattered: the thrill of the chase, the announcement of the engagement and later the wedding with half the haut monde in attendance. But that was only one year—what about all the years afterwards, the children, the problems of motherhood, the steadily growing older? If the man you had married was the wrong one, it would be purgatory. ‘Oh, I am sure I could, but how would I know he was not after my fortune?’
    ‘Does that matter, if he is in every other way suitable?’
    ‘Tall, you mean.’ It was said with a laugh.
    ‘Yes, but more than that, surely? He must be amiable and considerate and have no bad vices, like womanising and gambling.’
    ‘How right you are, especially about the gambling. I could never marry a man who gambled, however suitable he might otherwise be.’ It was Sir George’s gambling that was the cause of most of her mother’s distress and that had entrenched in her a deep abhorrence of the vice, for vice it was. ‘But do you know of such a paragon?’
    ‘No, except Freddie, of course. But no doubt he has a friend…’
    ‘Don’t you dare!’
    ‘I was only trying to help.’
    ‘I know you were.’ Emma was contrite. ‘I did not mean to hurt your feelings, but I am not going to allow myself to be thrown to the wolves without a fight.’ She wasn’t thinking of Freddie’s friend so much as her stepfather. Just what was his game? He had never shown the slightest interest in her before, except to complain to her mother that she was too lenient with her.
    ‘Why must you fight?’
    ‘Because that’s my nature. Give me a challenge and I will rise to it. Tell me I must do something and I will refuse, tell me I cannot and I will most decidedly attempt it.’
    ‘Then I pity any husband of yours and perhaps I shan’t ask Freddie to introduce you to his friend after all. He would not thank me.’ She paused and nodded towards a young man making his way towards them. ‘Here comes Freddie, so I’ll leave you to enjoy yourself.’
    Emma danced with several young gentlemen, none of whom set her heart racing, but she was honest enough to admit she did nothing to encourage them and they must have found her extremely dull. It was not like her to be so ungracious, but she could not concentrate on her partners when her mind was filled with the prospect of meeting Lord Bentwater. Who was he? What was he like? What was to be done if she took him in aversion? Perhaps, after all, he would be young and attractive and she was worrying for nothing. Or perhaps he would not turn up.
    Her latest partner took her back to where her mother sat, bowed to them both and disappeared. ‘Who was that?’ her mother asked. ‘It was not Lord Bentwater, was it?’
    Emma turned towards her in surprise. ‘Have you not met him?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Then what is your husband about? Surely he has confided in