April Lady by Georgette Heyer Page A

forbid me to embark on anything of a clandestine nature." He drew a breath, and continued with a little difficulty: "You were kind enough, my lord, to acquit me of hanging out (as you phrased it) for a rich wife. That is true, for, in fact, I had not, until I met Lady Letitia, any thought of marriage at all. My widowed parent, though possessed of a respectable jointure, is quite unable to support the expense of educating my younger brothers and sisters without my assistance; and until they are established creditably I must not—indeed, I cannot!—marry a female who has no fortune of her own. Just a genteel fortune, to match my own. I never contemplated marriage to a great heiress—and, to own the truth, it is not what I like! However, I daresay it may be possible to form some kind of a trust which would ensure that I should not benefit by anything more than a reasonable amount."
    "The matter is not of pressing importance," said the Earl. "Until she reaches the age of five-and-twenty my sister's fortune is in my hands, and her allowance is at my discretion. If I chose to do it, I could cut off every penny of it."
    "I cannot believe, sir, that you would be guilty of such inhumanity!" said Mr. Allandale, in a voice of strong censure.
    "There would be no inhumanity," replied Cardross coolly. "Letty would merely be obliged to continue living in my house, and her dress-bills would be paid by me. I may add that I already pay quite a number of them. I am afraid you would find her very expensive, for she never has a feather to fly with, you know."
    "I am aware that she has not been taught habits of economy," said Mr. Allandale stiffly. "Indeed, she has told me so herself, and has regretted it. She is very willing to learn, and I hope to teach her to manage better."
    "Yes, in my more optimistic moments I too indulge that hope," agreed Cardross. "Go and take up this appointment of yours, and I'll engage to do my best to instill some small knowledge of economy into her head while you are away. Who knows? You may return to find her quite prudent!"
    Mr. Allandale rose, and walked over to the window. He said, staring out of it: "I do not imagine that it will be of any use to return. Not, of course, that I contemplate passing the rest of my life in Brazil, but—" He stopped, and cleared his throat. "I cannot flatter myself that I shall find her still unattached. So much sought-after—and by men of far greater address than will ever be mine—separated from me for a prolonged period, and by such a distance— No, it would be too much to expect of her! She will wed another."
    "The same fate may as easily overtake you, my dear sir," remarked the Earl.
    "No," said Mr. Allandale baldly. He added, after a pause: "My feeling is unalterable. I am not subject to fits of gallantry, sir. I had even believed myself to be proof against— But from the moment when I first saw your sister, I knew myself lost! I struggled against it, for the unsuitability of the match was as plain to me as it is to you. It was to no avail. I shall never marry any other lady."
    "Ah!" murmured the Earl, looking amused. "I remember that I said much the same thing myself—a good many years ago. She was ravishingly beautiful—at least, I know I thought so, though, to own the truth, I can now only vaguely recall her face to my mind."
    "I am happy to afford your lordship entertainment!" said Mr. Allandale, in rather less measured accents.
    "No, you are not," replied Cardross, rising. "You would like to plant me a facer, and I'm sure I don't wonder at it. Nothing is more exasperating than to be obliged to listen to advice based on experience which is necessarily wider than your own—particularly when you have an uneasy suspicion that it may be good!"
    "I have no suspicion," instantly retorted Mr. Allandale. "I venture to think that my nature is more tenacious than your lordship's!"
    "In that case," said Cardross, with unimpaired good-humor, "I shall expect to see you again