The Romance Read Online Free Page B

down her long eyelashes, giggled and simpered. ‘La, my lord,’ she said, ‘you do flatter me.’
    ‘I remember we discoursed most intelligently on that rare farce. Better than dull Shakespeare any day, heh, what?’
    ‘Indeed,’ gushed Belinda. ‘Shakespeare does send me to sleep. I can hardly refrain from yawning.’
    Saint Clair looked at her, struck afresh by this kindred spirit. ‘Demme, if don’t suffer the same ennui. Your honesty is refreshing.’
    Again that giggle. ‘And compliments from such an arbiter of fashion are always a delight, my lord.’
    At that moment, Belinda saw Lord Gyre staring at her, a faint look of contempt in his eyes. Then he turned away. She blushed with mortification, but Lord St. Clair saw that blush and was gratified, thinking he must be possessed of masculine attractions he had hitherto been unaware of.
    ‘I hate these crushes,’ he said. ‘There is very little opportunity for conversation. May I take you driving tomorrow?’
    Lady Beverley smiled graciously. ‘Belinda is honoured and charmed to accept yourinvitation. Come, Belinda.’
    Belinda curtsied and moved off with her mother. Her heart was beating hard. But that look the marquess had thrown her was lodged in a corner of her mind and would not go away.

CHAPTER TWO
    One had as good be out of the world, as out of the fashion
.
    —COLLEY CIBBER
    The following day Barry asked Lady Beverley’s permission to go back to the country. Not only was he given permission but Miss Trumble was ordered to go with him.
    ‘You see,’ said Lady Beverley, giving the governess a gracious smile, ‘it is not as if the girls need further lessons, and I have various household matters at Brookfield which require your attention.’
    Miss Trumble thought quickly. She could stand her ground and point out that she had not been employed as a housekeeper. She knew that Lady Beverley wanted rid of her in case she came between Belinda and Lord St. Clair. Suddenly weary and looking forward to getting out of smoky London, Miss Trumble acquiesced. She was disappointed in Belinda. It was time for the girl to be left to sink or swim. Miss Trumble was heartily sick of the Beverleysand their ongoing schemes and plans to regain Mannerling.
    Belinda and Lizzie heard of her imminent departure with mixed feelings. Without their Miss Trumble, the world suddenly seemed an unsafe place. But like their mother, they did not want Miss Trumble to interfere in any of their stratagems. Only Abigail, Lady Burfield, was genuinely upset and went to tell Miss Trumble that if she wished to remain in London, she could resign her employ and stay with the Burfields as their guest for as long as she wished, for life if necessary.
    ‘You are kind,’ said Miss Trumble, ‘but the air of London does not agree with me.’
    ‘What does not agree with you,’ said Abigail shrewdly, ‘is that you feel Belinda is out to snare Saint Clair and you have had enough of us silly Beverleys.’
    Miss Trumble suddenly smiled. ‘Perhaps I could use just a little rest, and perhaps without my constant disapproval, Belinda will see Saint Clair for the empty-headed, useless man he is.’
    Abigail was well aware that St. Clair was to take Belinda driving that afternoon and the excitement and flutter that invitation had caused. She gave a little sigh. ‘Saint Clair is a fool, but an amiable fool. She could do worse. Burfield hoped that she might attract Gyre. He is intelligent as well as handsome.’
    ‘I think Belinda has ruined herself in Gyre’s eyes. I was watching him when she first metSaint Clair and she was simpering and flirting in just the sort of way to put a man like Gyre off. As you say, Saint Clair is weak and shiftless and stupid, but he might make an amiable husband.’
    ‘Are you sure you will not stay?’ begged Abigail. ‘You were surely instrumental in prompting the rest of us into securing good husbands.’
    ‘I do not know that is the case,’ said Miss Trumble