great social importance. But now that he might become a Minister, his value was enhanced.
As they entered through the grand front door, with stone lions sitting on each side of it, Rosina's eyes widened at what she saw. There was no doubt that these palatial surroundings were very agreeable.
The butler admitted them and led them down a large passage with magnificent pictures on the walls.
Then he opened the door and announced in a stentorian voice,
"Sir Elroy and Lady Clarendon, and Miss Rosina Clarendon, Your Lordship."
Following her father and mother into the drawing room, Rosina thought it was one of the most attractive and magnificent rooms she had ever seen.
There were several windows looking out on to the garden. There were so many flowers which not only made the room look lovely, but also scented it.
The Earl greeted them. He was a man in late middle age with a large head of grey hair, and an imposing manner.
"Good to see you, Clarendon," he said heartily. "My love, allow me to introduce – "
As they all exchanged the proper pleasantries Rosina began to look around her, and saw that their hostess was glittering with diamonds and bracelets.
She began to feel that both she and her mother were somewhat inadequately dressed. Each of them wore a necklace and a brooch, in contrast to the Countess who seemed to be smothered with jewels.
Rosina's father was a prosperous man. Although his fortunes had originally been founded on his wife's dowry, he had risen in his profession and now earned large fees as a lawyer.
But Rosina began to realise that the Blakemore's wealth was on another level entirely.
Then, before anything else was said, the door opened and Lady Doreen came hurrying in. She was petite and exquisitely dressed in a fashionable gown of pale blue silk. Her fair hair was arranged in a way which made it seem almost like a coronet, and her jewels were clearly worth a fortune.
"And here is my daughter, who always manages to be late," the Earl said in a fond voice.
"I'm sorry, Papa, but I was riding and forgot the time," said the charming young woman.
"My daughter rides better than any man," the Earl said. "And she can forget everything in favour of a horse."
"Mine is the same," Sir Elroy said, drawing Rosina
forward. "But I understand that you two young ladies have already met on horseback."
"Indeed we have," Lady Doreen said, embracing Rosina. "I am so glad to see you again." To the others she said, "We are already such good friends."
"But of course," the Countess said. "You will always have so much to talk about. Horse lovers can talk their heads off, sometimes until dawn is breaking."
They all laughed, and Lady Doreen drew Rosina aside.
"Wasn't it clever of me to arrange this?" she said. "Now we can see each other often. I knew from the first that we were deeply in sympathy, and it will be like having a sister to confide in."
"What about Miss Holden?" Rosina could not resist asking. "Can you not confide in her?"
Her companion made a face.
"I like her very well, but we see things differently. She is more impressed by great titles than I am, and she would regard my wish to marry a poor, honest man as madness."
Something impelled Rosina to say,
"But she is interested in Sir John, who does not have a great title."
"But he is exceedingly good looking," Lady Doreen teased.
"I disagree. I think his looks are no more than ordinary."
"Well, I can tell you that Miss Holden thinks he is extraordinarily handsome."
"Then Miss Holden is welcome to him," Rosina said. "But she should be aware that he is a mere knight, as my Mama would say."
Lady Doreen's eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Oh ho! Your Mama is afraid that you will make a match with him."
"I – don't know what you mean," Rosina said, confounded.
"She is trying to put you off him. She plans something more exalted for you. But what are your wishes? A woman should have her own ideas at all times, otherwise she is in a poor position to counter
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