advantages of the scheme.
When we went abovestairs we found our belongings had been moved to two sumptuous rooms, to prod us into acceptance by a greater show of richness. Our night things were laid out on the bed, and a cup of cocoa and a plate of biscuits awaited our pleasure. I doubted we would get such royal treatment at a hotel, and we certainly would not get it free of expense.
Chapter Six
In the morning I was up before the household and sat alone in the breakfast parlor. Even Mrs. Irvine was not up yet. Privacy was a rare privilege at the seminary. Any moment alone was treasured. Surveying my new position, I rather thought this would be ay favorite part of the day, enjoying a quiet breakfast, surrounded by every sort of luxury. A month ago I was taking breakfast at a refectory table, facing a long row of giggling girls and a long day of riding herd on them.
I imagined I was mistress of all I surveyed, including the sun-dappled acres beyond the window. My appetite was still in its travelling mode, and I took a full meal from the covered dishes on the serving table. I was still eating when Lord Marndale came down.
When he stopped at the doorway and bowed his broad shoulders nearly filled the frame. He looked every inch the master of this fine home. What a fortunate man he was: wealthy, handsome, intelligent. The only misfortune that had ever befallen him, so far as I knew, was losing his wife. His eyes wore an eager question.
“Good morning, sir. You may relax. I have decided to stay.”
He bounded forward and placed an impetuous kiss on my forehead. “Thank God. And thank you, Jennie.”
His enthusiasm left me warm with embarrassment. A nervous laugh escaped. “Jennie?” I exclaimed, hardly knowing what to say.
“I expect Miss Robsjohn will rap my knuckles for that familiarity, but as I have quite shamelessly used you as a friend, surely assuming the prerogative of using your name is only a minor infraction. I hope you will call me Marndale.”
He took a plate and began filling it, still talking over his shoulder. “You found your new room with no trouble?”
“Bribery was not necessary, you know. The Chinese room was lovely.”
“For a longer stay I thought you and your chaperone would like the privacy of separate rooms. Feel free to share the Chinese room if you prefer.”
“No, I do like the privacy. I enjoyed being alone here, before you came. Not that I mean—”
He came to the table, a smile twinkling in his eyes. “My feelings are not so tender as that, Jennie.” How odd it seemed to hear this mighty lord call me Jennie, as if we were old friends. “I did some thinking before I slept last night. Further fuel to entice you, in case you refused my request,” he added with a playful grin. “I remembered I have a small apartment house on North Audley Street, just above Grosvenor Square.”
“I would think it hard to forget such a possession!”
“I bought it this winter and have been having it redone. There are two apartments not taken yet. You can have one of them. It will be more convenient than your naval friend’s place in Upper Grosvenor Square.”
I feared that any possession of Marndale’s must be beyond my purse and inquired for the rent. “Don’t concern yourself about that. The use of it for the Season will be your repayment for helping me out with Vickie. If you wish to continue on after the Season, then we shall discuss terms.”
“But I cannot take it without paying!”
He looked astonished. “None of my other tenants pay me. To tell the truth, I bought it as an investment for the future and find it an excellent storehouse for my various pensioners who would otherwise expect to stay here. Once you let them right into your home, you know, there is no turfing them out. I like my relatives, but I like them at a distance.”
“I feel the same. My Uncle Seth wanted me to stay with him when Papa died, but I prefer him at arm’s length.” No more was said
When we went abovestairs we found our belongings had been moved to two sumptuous rooms, to prod us into acceptance by a greater show of richness. Our night things were laid out on the bed, and a cup of cocoa and a plate of biscuits awaited our pleasure. I doubted we would get such royal treatment at a hotel, and we certainly would not get it free of expense.
Chapter Six
In the morning I was up before the household and sat alone in the breakfast parlor. Even Mrs. Irvine was not up yet. Privacy was a rare privilege at the seminary. Any moment alone was treasured. Surveying my new position, I rather thought this would be ay favorite part of the day, enjoying a quiet breakfast, surrounded by every sort of luxury. A month ago I was taking breakfast at a refectory table, facing a long row of giggling girls and a long day of riding herd on them.
I imagined I was mistress of all I surveyed, including the sun-dappled acres beyond the window. My appetite was still in its travelling mode, and I took a full meal from the covered dishes on the serving table. I was still eating when Lord Marndale came down.
When he stopped at the doorway and bowed his broad shoulders nearly filled the frame. He looked every inch the master of this fine home. What a fortunate man he was: wealthy, handsome, intelligent. The only misfortune that had ever befallen him, so far as I knew, was losing his wife. His eyes wore an eager question.
“Good morning, sir. You may relax. I have decided to stay.”
He bounded forward and placed an impetuous kiss on my forehead. “Thank God. And thank you, Jennie.”
His enthusiasm left me warm with embarrassment. A nervous laugh escaped. “Jennie?” I exclaimed, hardly knowing what to say.
“I expect Miss Robsjohn will rap my knuckles for that familiarity, but as I have quite shamelessly used you as a friend, surely assuming the prerogative of using your name is only a minor infraction. I hope you will call me Marndale.”
He took a plate and began filling it, still talking over his shoulder. “You found your new room with no trouble?”
“Bribery was not necessary, you know. The Chinese room was lovely.”
“For a longer stay I thought you and your chaperone would like the privacy of separate rooms. Feel free to share the Chinese room if you prefer.”
“No, I do like the privacy. I enjoyed being alone here, before you came. Not that I mean—”
He came to the table, a smile twinkling in his eyes. “My feelings are not so tender as that, Jennie.” How odd it seemed to hear this mighty lord call me Jennie, as if we were old friends. “I did some thinking before I slept last night. Further fuel to entice you, in case you refused my request,” he added with a playful grin. “I remembered I have a small apartment house on North Audley Street, just above Grosvenor Square.”
“I would think it hard to forget such a possession!”
“I bought it this winter and have been having it redone. There are two apartments not taken yet. You can have one of them. It will be more convenient than your naval friend’s place in Upper Grosvenor Square.”
I feared that any possession of Marndale’s must be beyond my purse and inquired for the rent. “Don’t concern yourself about that. The use of it for the Season will be your repayment for helping me out with Vickie. If you wish to continue on after the Season, then we shall discuss terms.”
“But I cannot take it without paying!”
He looked astonished. “None of my other tenants pay me. To tell the truth, I bought it as an investment for the future and find it an excellent storehouse for my various pensioners who would otherwise expect to stay here. Once you let them right into your home, you know, there is no turfing them out. I like my relatives, but I like them at a distance.”
“I feel the same. My Uncle Seth wanted me to stay with him when Papa died, but I prefer him at arm’s length.” No more was said
Similar Books
