The Yuletide Countess: Harriet's Traditional Regency Romance by Alicia Quigley Page B

dressed.”
    “Yes, you are kind enough to treat me to so many extravagances at
the modiste that I am very fashionable indeed,” said Harriet. “But which
do you think becomes me more?”
    Isobel blinked at her. “More becoming? Why would you—I mean, of
course you look very handsome in both of them. Perhaps the dark green is
slightly more complimentary to your coloring.”
    “Think you so?” asked Harriet. “You do not find the ribbons on the
fawn silk dress more becoming to my complexion?”
    Isobel considered the question. “No, I believe the green is best,
though both are very suitable.”
    “Thank you,” said Harriet.
    Isobel nodded absently, and took a bite of her toast. Harriet
fiddled with the handle of her teacup.
    “Isobel, dear,” said Harriet.
    Isobel looked up again. “Yes, Harriet?”
    “Do you have any need of the carriage this afternoon?”
    “The carriage?” repeated Isobel.
    Harriet flushed slightly. “I—I have been invited to Glencairn Castle
this afternoon, and, while it is not a long distance, you know I don’t care to
walk alone, and I would be loath to distract the servants from their duties.”
    “Oh, are you visiting Catherine and the children?” asked Isobel.
“How wonderful! I’m sure you’ll have a delightful time. It is a lovely day;
perhaps you can visit the gardens. By all means, take the carriage. I have no
need of it. I can walk or ride anywhere I might wish to go, and it is entirely
possible that Lord Francis will be bringing me some drawings of the land on
which the folly will be located.”
    “Oh, will he? I’m sure you’re both very eager to begin your
planning.”
    “Lord Francis seems to be, at any rate,” said Isobel.
    “And why should he not? After all, it will be a very interesting
pursuit. Even though I know it will distract you from your work, you must admit
to some little interest in such an entertaining and charming project! And you
will be able to use your skills for something that is new and not five hundred
years old!”
    “One thousand five hundred,” said Isobel.
    “Truly?” asked Harriet. “Well, that is very old indeed, to be sure.
This folly will be lovely and you can employ all that knowledge you’ve
accumulated on something useful!”
    Isobel laughed. “I think that a folly, by definition, may not be
useful, but I will do my best to help make it beautiful.”
    “Then, since you do not mind, I will take the carriage. I am to be
at Glencairn at three-o-clock,” said Harriet.
    “Certainly,” said Isobel, returning to her toast. “Give Catherine my
greetings.”

Chapter 10
     
    After taking what she admitted to herself, was an inordinate amount
of time about dressing, Harriet sallied forth, dressed in the fawn silk walking
dress, having decided to enhance the row of plum ribbons that decorated the
long closure from the neck to the hemline, with a riband of the same shade over
the chip hat that she wore. The carriage duly pulled up in front of Glencairn
Castle, and Harriet allowed a footman to assist her to alight, and then stood
for a moment, hesitating. To her great relief, she saw that Lord Glencairn had
appeared in the massive opening of the door to the castle, and was coming down
the steps toward her.
    “Miss Walcott, how delightful that you remembered our appointment,”
he said, taking her hand in his and pressing it briefly.
    “How could I forget?” asked Harriet. “I’ve heard too much from
Isobel about the delights of the grounds at Glencairn to not remember!”
    “I’m delighted that Miss Paley finds them attractive, for it seems
she will be spending a good deal of time there,” said Lord Glencairn, tucking
Harriet’s hand through his arm and leading her into the castle. “She and Lord
Francis were here earlier to view the site, but I believe they have gone back
to Dargenwater Cottage to consult some of Miss Paley’s books.”
    “Have they indeed?” asked Harriet, briefly glad that Isobel was not
about. She