บททั้งหมดของ The Duke And His Four Wards : บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

   They had reached the gates of the Park and turned into the carriage drive. Soon, the curricle was bowling along at a steady pace under the trees, still devoid of any by the earliest leaves. A light breeze lifted the ends of the ribbons on Margaret's hat and playfully danced along the horses' dark manes.    Felix watched as Margaret gazed about her with interest. "I'm afraid you'll not see many notables at this hour. Mostly nursemaids and their charges. Later, between three and five, it'll crowded. The Season's not yet begun in earnest, but by now most people will have returned to town. And the Park is the place to be seen. All the old biddies come here to exchange the latest on-dits and all the young ladies promenade along the walks with their beaux."    "I see." Margaret smiled to herself, a secret smile as she imagined how she and her sisters would fit into this scene.    Feli

   Thup, thup, thup. The tip of Lady Hillsborough's thin cane bear a slow tattoo, muffled by the pile of the Aubusson carpet. She was pleasantly impatient, waiting with definite anticipation to see her new charges. Her sharp blue gaze had already taken in the state of the room, the perfectly organized furniture, everything tidy and in readiness. If she had not known it for fact, she would never have believed that, yesterday morn, Twyford House had been shut up, the knocker off the door, every piece of furniture shrouded in Holland covers. Gibson was priceless. There was even a bowl of early crocus on the side-table between the long windows. These stood open, giving access to the beat courtyard, flanked by flowerbeds bursting into colourful life. A marble fountain stood at its centre, a Grecian maiden pouring water never-endingly from an urn.    Her contemplation of the scene was interrupted by a peremptory knock in the street door. A moment l

   "No!" Felix shook his head stubbornly, a frown if quite dramatic proportions darkening his handsome face.    Lady Hillsborough sighed mightily and frowned back. On recovering her wits, she had sternly repressed her mirth and sent the three younger Flemings into the courtyard. But after ten minutes of carefully reasoned argument, Felix remained adamant. However, she was quite determined her scapegrace nephew would not succeed in dodging he responsibilities. Aside from anything else, the situation seemed set to afford her hours of entertainment and, at her age, such opportunities could not be lightly passed by. Her lips compressed into a thin line and a martial light appeared in her blue eyes.    Felix, recognizing the signs, got in first. "It's impossible! Just think of the talk!"    Amelia's eyes widened to their fullest extent. "Why should you care?" she asked. "Your career to

   Their drive in the Park the next afternoon was engineered by the experienced Lady Hillsborough to be tantalizingly brief. As predicted, the sight of four ravishing females in the Twyford barouche caused an immediate impact. As the carriage sedately bowled along the avenues, heads rapidly came together in the carriages they passed. Conversations between knots of elegant gentlemen and the more dashing of ladies who had descended from heir carriages to stroll about the well-tended lawns halted in midsentence as all eyes turned to follow the Twyford barouche.    Amelia, happily aware of the stir they were causing, sat in he maroon leather seat and struggled to keep the grin from her face. Her charges were attired in a spectrum of delicate colours, for all the world like a post of gorgeous blooms. The subtle peach if Margaret's round gown gave way to the soft turquoise tints if Sophia's. Maribella has favoured a gown of the most delicate rose m

   Naturally, Felix felt obliged to join the riding party that afternoon. Between both his and Daniel Hammington's extensive stables, they had managed to assemble suitable mounts for the four girls. Margaret has assured him that, like all country misses, they could ride very well. By the time they gained the Park, he had satisfied himself in that score. At least he need not worry over them losing control of the frisky horses and being thrown. But, as they were all as stunning as he had feared they would be, elegantly gowned in perfectly cut riding habits, his worries had not noticeably decreased.    As they ambled further into the Park, by dint of the simple expedient of reining in his dappled grey, he dropped to the rear of the group, the better to keep the three younger girls in view. Margaret, riding by his side, stayed with him. She threw him a laughing