prices on canal
bonds, India bonds, bank stock, and the funds, making a few quick notes to herself before turning the
page.
Then she ran her fingertip down the summary of recent prices paid for wheat, rye, oats, and beans in the
inland counties and compared them to the prices paid in the maritime counties. Again she picked up her
quill and jotted down a comment or two. Next she checked the average prices of flour, sugar, hay, and
straw for the preceding month, looking for trends.
When she was finished noting recent prices on commodities, Emily turned to the monthly meteorological
table. This she gave only a cursory glance. It was still winter and the daily temperatures and rainfall
amounts were not as important to her calculations now as they would be in the spring and summer. In a
couple of months she would begin watching them closely in an attempt to anticipate the harvests.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
When she had finished gleaning what she could from The Gentleman's Magazine, she turned to her
correspondence. Sir Alfred Chumley had news of a new coal mining enterprise and a certain Mrs.
Middleton had written to inquire about Emily's interest in a ship that would be leaving soon for the West
Indies. It was expected to return with a sizable profit, just as the last one had.
Mrs. Hickinbotham found the Lap Seng.
Emily watched anxiously as Simon took his first sip of the exotic, smoky brew. When he smiled at her
over the rim of the cup and gave her a knowing look, she wanted to hug Mrs. Hickinbotham. The
housekeeper's eyes sparkled but her expression remained appropriately restrained as she curtsied and
left the members of the literary society to their discussions.
Emily had changed her mind three times about which dress to wear before Lizzie finally talked her into
the ruff-necked, flounced muslin. The gown was a pale yellow with tiny little white stripes and Lizzie
claimed it set off the color of Emily's hair. Emily was not at all certain it was a good idea to set off red
hair but Lizzie overrode her mistress's concerns.
The ladies of the literary society had arrived with an air of great expectation. They were growing
accustomed to having an earl in their midst these days and his attentions to Emily had not gone unnoticed.
The good ladies were all secretly thrilled by the high-minded romance blossoming in their midst and they
now greeted Simon with friendly cordiality.
As usual, once seated among them, he looked like a dark, golden-eyed beast surrounded by a bunch of
lively, chirping birds. Simon did not appear to mind the contrast. But, then, it was blazingly clear to Emily
that the earl was quite unflappable.
The whole event, including refreshments and conversation, went off with such effortless ease that Emily
began to suspect she had a heretofore undiscovered talent for entertaining. She really must do more of it,
she decided as the discussion became quite lively.
"And how is your poem coming along, Emily?" Miss Bracegirdle asked after they had concluded a
spirited debate of the merits of Samuel Coleridge's lectures on Shakespeare. No one present had actually
attended the lectures but reports had been widely circulated and the general conclusion was that they
were not of the high caliber expected from Coleridge.
"I am working on expanding the verses to include a new adventure," Emily announced. She glanced at
Simon and a slight flush warmed her cheeks. "I have a marvelous idea for a scene in a secret
passageway."
"How exciting." Miss Ostly, who enjoyed Minerva Press novels more than most, was clearly entranced.
"And perhaps a ghost? I dearly love a ghost."
Emily's brows rose above the frames of her spectacles as she considered the addition of a ghost to The
Mysterious Lady. "Ghosts are always an excellent thing in a tale of adventure and romance. But it is
difficult to find things to rhyme with ghost. One always ends up with
bonds, India bonds, bank stock, and the funds, making a few quick notes to herself before turning the
page.
Then she ran her fingertip down the summary of recent prices paid for wheat, rye, oats, and beans in the
inland counties and compared them to the prices paid in the maritime counties. Again she picked up her
quill and jotted down a comment or two. Next she checked the average prices of flour, sugar, hay, and
straw for the preceding month, looking for trends.
When she was finished noting recent prices on commodities, Emily turned to the monthly meteorological
table. This she gave only a cursory glance. It was still winter and the daily temperatures and rainfall
amounts were not as important to her calculations now as they would be in the spring and summer. In a
couple of months she would begin watching them closely in an attempt to anticipate the harvests.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
When she had finished gleaning what she could from The Gentleman's Magazine, she turned to her
correspondence. Sir Alfred Chumley had news of a new coal mining enterprise and a certain Mrs.
Middleton had written to inquire about Emily's interest in a ship that would be leaving soon for the West
Indies. It was expected to return with a sizable profit, just as the last one had.
Mrs. Hickinbotham found the Lap Seng.
Emily watched anxiously as Simon took his first sip of the exotic, smoky brew. When he smiled at her
over the rim of the cup and gave her a knowing look, she wanted to hug Mrs. Hickinbotham. The
housekeeper's eyes sparkled but her expression remained appropriately restrained as she curtsied and
left the members of the literary society to their discussions.
Emily had changed her mind three times about which dress to wear before Lizzie finally talked her into
the ruff-necked, flounced muslin. The gown was a pale yellow with tiny little white stripes and Lizzie
claimed it set off the color of Emily's hair. Emily was not at all certain it was a good idea to set off red
hair but Lizzie overrode her mistress's concerns.
The ladies of the literary society had arrived with an air of great expectation. They were growing
accustomed to having an earl in their midst these days and his attentions to Emily had not gone unnoticed.
The good ladies were all secretly thrilled by the high-minded romance blossoming in their midst and they
now greeted Simon with friendly cordiality.
As usual, once seated among them, he looked like a dark, golden-eyed beast surrounded by a bunch of
lively, chirping birds. Simon did not appear to mind the contrast. But, then, it was blazingly clear to Emily
that the earl was quite unflappable.
The whole event, including refreshments and conversation, went off with such effortless ease that Emily
began to suspect she had a heretofore undiscovered talent for entertaining. She really must do more of it,
she decided as the discussion became quite lively.
"And how is your poem coming along, Emily?" Miss Bracegirdle asked after they had concluded a
spirited debate of the merits of Samuel Coleridge's lectures on Shakespeare. No one present had actually
attended the lectures but reports had been widely circulated and the general conclusion was that they
were not of the high caliber expected from Coleridge.
"I am working on expanding the verses to include a new adventure," Emily announced. She glanced at
Simon and a slight flush warmed her cheeks. "I have a marvelous idea for a scene in a secret
passageway."
"How exciting." Miss Ostly, who enjoyed Minerva Press novels more than most, was clearly entranced.
"And perhaps a ghost? I dearly love a ghost."
Emily's brows rose above the frames of her spectacles as she considered the addition of a ghost to The
Mysterious Lady. "Ghosts are always an excellent thing in a tale of adventure and romance. But it is
difficult to find things to rhyme with ghost. One always ends up with
Similar Books
