Curricle & Chaise by Lizzie Church

for a second longer than was strictly necessary, as he corrected her posture again.
    ‘My poor dear,’ he soothed. ‘Is it such a serious matter? Pray, do not turn those eyes on me so reproachfully or I shall think myself a terrific brute for worrying you so much.’
    Julia’s frown transformed into a smile which lit up her face. Just at that moment Mr Churchman returned from helping Lydia to dismount and announced, somewhat curtly, that the instruction was over for the day.
    ‘We mustn’t overdo it,’ he said, giving his brother a black look and assisting Julia from the horse himself. ‘Mrs Abdale would never forgive us if the ladies became over-tired.’
    ‘But we’ve hardly started, Henry,’ protested Edward, claiming Julia’s support. ‘We need another half hour together, at the very least, before calling it a day.’
    But Julia had had enough of horses for one week and Lydia was still glowing from the praise she had received to give him any further encouragement. So he gave up the unequal battle with a good-humoured shrug and contented himself with arranging another lesson for a few days’ time. This agreed, the gentlemen left the ponies with the groom and returned to Grantham on their own.
    Mrs Abdale was sitting in the morning room, languidly engaged upon some plain sewing, when Lydia and Julia finally reappeared after changing their gowns. The sewing was immediately consigned to Lydia before Mrs Abdale shot her daughter a piercing glance which the unfortunate Julia felt quite unable to return.
    ‘Tell me, Julia,’ she began, jabbing a finger at her pointedly. ‘How are you progressing with Mr Churchman’s suit?’
    Julia stammered and blushed unhappily.
    ‘Indeed, mama, I don’t know what you mean,’ she said.
    ‘Come, come, child. There is no need to try that miss-ish nonsense with me. You know as well as I do that Henry Churchman has been dangling after you this six months and more. Any girl with two ha’pence of sense would be planning her wedding by now.’
    Julia assumed her eager-puppy expression, which cut no ice with her mama.
    ‘La, mama, I do not know that Mr Churchman admires me any more than any other young lady of his acquaintance. He certainly shows me no more attention than you could expect of a near neighbour.’
    ‘No more attention? Stupid girl. Have you not been to dine with him, and does he not come over with that brother of his to teach you how to ride? If that is not a sign of his regard for you then I don’t know what is. Henry Churchman is as ready to marry you as the next man, Julia, of that I am persuaded. It is only for you to give him a little more encouragement, that’s all.’
    The cousins exchanged glances. Julia was the picture of discomfort. Lydia was considerably entertained.
    ‘I will not be made to look a fool in the neighbourhood, Julia. It is expected, you know, wherever I go. Why, only last week Mrs Wright asked me about you. It is most embarrassing to be obliged to deny any attachment between you.’
    ‘But I am not yet twenty, mama. I don’t feel ready to marry just yet. Mr Churchman is an elegant, gentleman-like young man, of course, but I cannot say that I wish to marry him.’
    ‘Nonsense, child – what more could you want than Grantham Hall and all the other estates he owns, not to mention an income of six thousand a year? You and Henry Churchman would suit each other well enough, I am persuaded of it, and I would thank you, Julia, to take a little more notice of my wishes for a change. You can be quite stubborn at times, you know – just like your father. But there – at least I know where my duty lies. I shall not give him up without a struggle, and if you will not make the effort then I suppose I shall have to do it for you. I have invited the family to dinner here on Saturday, even though my poor nerves can hardly take the strain. I shall be watching to make sure you make the most of the opportunity, Julia – and I shall be most