The Marriage Market Read Online Free Page B

the stairs today if I promised to rest in the afternoon.  I felt sure that my spirits would improve with some company, and mother is bringing down a bit of embroidery for me to do.  But never mind that.  I am so glad, Mr. Ladbrook, that you are staying with us until your foot is better.  It gives me the opportunity to thank you for your gallant service the other day.  Do you know, Father, that I was quite flying through the air when Mr. Ladbrook caught me, even though I struck him hard enough to inflict the damage that I see on his poor face.  I’m sure that I would have been more gravely injured had he not caught me.  But, forgive me, sir, are you growing a beard?”  The gentleman's cheeks, chin, and upper lip displayed a beard of two days’ growth.
    “The skin around my nose and cheeks is a little too tender to shave at present, Miss Larke,” he replied with a smile.
    “Well, it does not matter.  You are just as handsome with a beard as without.  But, please accept my gratitude for your assistance.  To think that your toe was broken all the while that you were saving us.”  Victoria laid her hand upon his arm and smiled warmly at her hero.
    “You are quite welcome, Miss Larke.  I’m sure that I will always provide any assistance that lies within my power to give you.”  David laid his hand over hers, gazing into her eyes all the while.
    “What are you doing there, Ladbrook?  Are you an artist?” the admiral inquired, startling the two young people.  Victoria settled back carefully into her chair while Ladbrook turned around to look at her father.
    “I had my servant bring me my drawing materials this morning, sir, along with some additional clothing.  When I was a boy, I got into the habit of carrying a sketch pad whenever I wandered in the woods, and I’ve been drawing ever since.  I thought to draw the view from your window today.”
    Victoria exclaimed, “I draw too, Mr. Ladbrook, although my inspiration is the sea.  Do you paint as well?  What medium do you use?”  
    Soon they were deep in conversation discussing the merits of water colour versus ink.  When Mrs. Larke entered the room with Victoria’s embroidery, Victoria and Ladbrook’s heads were bent together over the drawing paper, and they did not notice her.  Mrs. Larke sat down in a chair beside her husband, winked at him, and did the work herself.
    The next few days passed very pleasantly for the invalids.  They sketched, exchanged life histories, debated the merits of town versus country life, and exclaimed over some of Bath’s more ridiculous fashions and pastimes.  Admiral and Mrs. Larke played cards with them in the evening, and Victoria, who was not yet up to singing, hummed along while the admiral and Patricia serenaded them on flute and piano.  The Larkes agreed that Mr. Ladbrook made a very comfortable addition to their family circle.
    One night there was a knock at the door, and Mr. Wovington strode into the drawing room.  He stopped on seeing Ladbrook and Victoria together on the sofa.  They did not see him at first; Victoria was busy teasing Ladbrook about the untidiness of his cravat while attempting to retie it.  Ladbrook laughed, allowing her to smarten him up.  After a moment, he caught sight of his friend. 
    Struggling to his feet, Ladbrook exclaimed, “James, you’re back at last!  How is your father?  Was your business successful?”
    Wovington’s smile had frozen as he witnessed this pretty scene; it warmed again as he crossed the floor to greet his friends.  The gentleman explained that he had not heard of his friends’ mishap until he had returned to his lodgings, and had hastened over to determine how the invalids fared. 
    Acquainted with the whole story and smiling wryly, he said, “Well, Ladbrook, I see that you have had all the luck.  I wish that you had been the one away on business, and that I had been on the scene to offer assistance.  What’s a broken bone and a few