The Shocking Miss Anstey Read Online Free Page B

Congratulations.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    ‘Not at all. I mean it.’ Again the laugh came, pleasant and genuine. ‘Well, I hope to meet you again, sir. Where do you stay in Town?’
    ‘Thomas’s--Berkeley Square.’
    ‘Ah, yes. Well, my town house is quite close--in Hertford Street--so if you’d care to call on me---’
    ‘I’d be honoured, my lord.’
    Again it was a little stiff, as if he had no intention of doing it, and at once Anice pushed herself into the talk again. She sounded as if she were not used to being left out of it.
    ‘It’s all big and grand,’ she said, ‘and it frightens me. At least, it would if I went there, but I don’t.’
    ‘Quite right.’ He was remembering quickly that there was a Countess of Hildersham.
    ‘Of course it’s right. I don’t make trouble for anybody. But you know where I live and it isn’t grand at all, so you can come and see me there. I want to hear about ships. I like the Navy. What sort of a ship had you?’
    ‘A frigate lately-- Amphion.’
    ‘Come and tell me about it. You’re not frightened of me, are you?’ ‘I hope not.’
    ‘So do I. I’ll ask Hildersham, too, if you want him.’ An eyebrow twitched for a moment as the blue eyes looked at his. ‘Mind you, I’m better by myself. More fun.’
    ‘Steady,’ said Hildersham.
    ‘Well, you ought to know.’ She flashed him an impudent smile and then came back to Grant. ‘So come and see me some time.’
    ‘Nonsense,’ said Hildersham.
    ‘It isn’t. I want to know about ships.’ She pouted at him and then turned her eyes on Grant once more. ‘He doesn’t live with me, you know. He only comes to see me, and so----’
    ‘You’re going away,’ said Hildersham.
    ‘Oh--so we are.’ She managed to sound dismayed for a moment. Yes, we’re going to Paris tomorrow. But it’s only for a few weeks, and you’ll know when we’re back. Someone will tell you.’
    ‘Very likely,’ said Hildersham darkly.
    ‘Well, you know how people talk.’
    ‘From the way you behave, miss, it’s not surprising.’
    ‘Poor little me! Now you’re to come and see me when we’re back, and don’t forget it. I want you.’
    ‘Thank you. I---’ Grant found himself laughing, and distinctly pleased at the annoyance he could sense in Hildersham. ‘I ought to say I’m honoured.’
    ‘Of course you should. Quite right.’ There was a distinct pout of her lips, and then her eyes seemed brighter than before. ‘Do you remember that rose?’
    ‘I’m afraid it’s fading.’
    ‘You still have it?’ she asked quickly, laughing with delight. ‘Fading doesn’t matter, if you don’t let the memory fade too.’
    ‘It won’t.’
    ‘Is that a promise? Now I’ll tell you something.’
    ‘Time we were going,’ said Hildersham.
    ‘Just a minute.’ She tapped him imperiously on the shoulder, and then she leaned down from the box of the barouche to bring her whole force to bear. ‘I’ll tell you something. You’re different, and that’s rather nice.’
    ‘I don’t quite---’
    ‘No, you look as if you don’t. But it’s true, all the same, and don’t you forget it, if someone starts smiling at you. They will, you know, some of them--little hussies! Now Jehu---’ She sat suddenly erect, head back, shoulders braced, smiling eyes turned to Hildersham. ‘Forward the horses!’
    ‘About time too.’ He spoke firmly, as if he had certainly had enough of this. But then, good manners unbroken, he spoke pleasantly to Grant. ‘Whenever I’m back in Town, sir, I’ll be delighted to see you.’
    ‘Thank you. I---’
    ‘Au revoir. Happy hunting while I’m away.’ The long reins flicked, and the restless blacks were away in the instant. The harness jingled, the white wheels crunched in the road, and Grant stepped quickly back as the barouche went bowling away with a swirl of dust behind it. Anice turned for a moment on the box, and he saw the smile and the little gloved hand that waved so jauntily at him. He swept