Miss Dower's Paragon by Gayle Buck

Pomerancy caught her by the wrist. Evelyn glanced down in surprise. There was unexpected strength in the old, twisted fingers.
    “Miss Dower, you may keep me company until my grandson returns,” said Lady Pomerancy.
    “I—I believe that my duty to my mother must be foremost, my lady,” Evelyn said, taken off guard.
    “Mrs. Dower is perfectly capable of traversing the room without your youthful support, my dear. She ain’t yet in her dotage,” said Lady Pomerancy with an arrogance quite irrefutable. She fixed her eyes on Mrs. Dower. “Leave the girl with me, ma’am. I assure you that she will be perfectly chaperoned while in my charge.”
    “Quite so. I could not think otherwise,” said Mrs. Dower unhappily. With a helpless glance for her daughter’s appalled expression, Mrs. Dower made good her escape.
    Once they were alone, Lady Pomerancy released the girl, disdaining to rely on that means of restraint. She fixed Evelyn with steely eyes. In an interrogating tone, she asked, “Well, girl? What have you to say for yourself?”
    Evelyn felt her eyes widen with startled surprise. She stammered, “My lady?”
    “Pray do not play the nodcock with me. Come girl. We haven’t much time before someone comes to interrupt us. I understand that you have rejected my grandson’s suit,” said Lady Pomerancy.
    Evelyn flushed. Her eyes sparked with annoyance and angered pride. Lady Pomerancy had no right to question her at all, let alone in such a setting. However, she was no shrinking miss to grovel before the old woman’s glower, and she held her head high. “Yes, ma’am. I have.”
    “Do you dislike him?”
    Lady Pomerancy was treading increasingly dangerous ground.
    With an attempt at politeness, Evelyn smiled. “My lady, I do not believe that this is the time or the place to discuss—”
    “A straight answer if you please! Do you dislike my grandson?”
    Evelyn tightened her lips, recognizing that Lady Pomerancy had no intention of being diverted. “Very well, my lady, since you insist. I do not dislike Mr. Hawkins.”
    “Then why have you not accepted his offer, Miss Dower? You do not appear to be a stupid girl. Quite the contrary. Certainly you must understand the advantages of the match,” said Lady Pomerancy.
    “Of course I do.” Evelyn realized that she had just given Lady Pomerancy more fodder for her cannon, and to forestall her ladyship’s next obvious question, she said quickly, “However, there are reasons which make it impractical for me to accept any offer at this time. I wish to become familiar with society and to meet several other eligible partis.”
    “Ah, yes. My grandson very carefully explained it all to me,” said Lady Pomerancy. She made an impatient dismissive gesture. “Nonsense, all of it. That might wash in London, but not in this society. We’ve a surfeit of retired admirals and meek parsons, but precious few eligible titles. No, I suspect that you are playing some game of your own with my grandson, my dear. Pray do not allow your fanciful notions to cloud your judgment for too long. My grandson is patient, but he is also a gentleman ripe for the altar. He’ll not wait on you forever.”
    Evelyn was made so furious by this extraordinary speech that if she had replied as she desired, she feared she would give grave offense. She bit back the hasty retort that she would have made, struggling to find something less combustible to say. It was just as well that she held her tongue, for a moment later Mr. Hawkins returned with her ladyship’s second glass of water.
    He glanced at Evelyn’s carefully expressionless face and lowered eyes. A small frown came into his eyes. He turned to his grandmother. “Here is your water, my lady. I hope that I did not keep you waiting too long.”
    “Not at all. Miss Dower and I have enjoyed a comfortable gossip.” Lady Pomerancy took the glass but made no immediate move to drink the water it contained. Instead, she stared balefully at it.