party, he insisted we walk back. He told me we would not wish to present ‘too particular an appearance’—such fustian! We could hardly present too particular an appearance to suit
me.
”
Caitlin was thoughtful. “On first impression, Serena, he does strike one as an extremely conscientious young man.”
“Oh, yes! A very high stickler. And so
serious
! I am in despair. The more he is around me, the more I shock him, Caitlin. I cannot seem to mind my tongue, and he thinks
levity
, you know, to be so very bad. Many people feel that way, I fear. And I cannot help myself! When I laugh out loud, or make some silly jest, he often looks at me so gravely I am ready to sink with mortification.”
“But your sunny nature and vivacity are exactly what one most admires in you!” Caitlin exclaimed indignantly. “You cannot wish to ally yourself with a man who would
squelch
you.”
Serena sighed. “He does not seek to squelch me, precisely—just check me a little. There is nothing strange in that. I had a governess once who was forever telling me my exuberance went beyond the line of being pleasing.”
“Very likely! I make no doubt you were a giggling and bumptious child! But, Serena, you are no longer a schoolroom miss. I am sure you will find a man who loves and appreciates your animation for the attractive quality it is.”
Serena looked doubtful. “Do you think so? I cannot credit it! Captain Talgarth is one of those men who are drawn to timid, die-away creatures requiring guidance and support—and I will never be among them.”
“Nonsense, Serena, he must admire you!” Caitlin said firmly. She could not resist adding, “Such a punctilious young man would not otherwise allow you to hang on his sleeve.”
Serena brightened. “Then perhaps if I am able to school myself into more circumspect behavior, and mind my tongue, his affections will reanimate toward me.”
This was disturbing. Caitlin squeezed Serena’s elbow earnestly. “Do not alter yourself one jot. If a deception is necessary to attract Captain Talgarth, I promise you you will never find happiness with him.”
“At any rate,” declared Serena with spirit, “I shall not hang on his sleeve anymore today!” She then ruined the effect by adding: “Perhaps he will pursue me if I hold a little aloof.”
The path widened as it dipped slightly downhill toward a grassy area lined with elms, and Mr. Montague strode up to join Lady Serena and Caitlin. Caitlin glanced back to see Emily walking between Sir Egbert and Captain Talgarth, who had politely slowed his steps to suit his companions’ sedate pace. Sir Egbert and Emily both appeared glad to dispense with Mr. Montague’s lead, whose idea of a comfortable stroll was much brisker than theirs. His energy exactly suited Serena and Caitlin, however, and as he seemed delighted to have a pretty girl on each arm the three of them were very well satisfied and soon drew far ahead of the rest of the party. Mr. Montague’s high spirits restored Serena’s ebullience faster than Caitlin’s sympathy had been able to, and the three of them were so merry that they hardly noticed the passage of time until a clock was heard striking three in the distance.
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Serena. “Whatever became of my brother? We haven’t seen him for an age.”
Mr. Montague shook his head disapprovingly. “Shabby, I call it,” he said severely. “Not at all the thing to abandon one’s guests in the middle of a party. After driving them our of town, too! Shocking bad
ton.
”
Serena had known Mr. Montague all her life and refused to stand on ceremony with him. “Do be quiet, Ned!” she begged. “You never say anything to the purpose! We will have to go in search of the others.”
Mr. Montague nudged Caitlin. “Runs in the family, you see,” he explained. “Rag-mannered, these Kilvertons. Pack of barbarians. I have meant to speak to them about it, but from one cause or another it never seemed to
me.
”
Caitlin was thoughtful. “On first impression, Serena, he does strike one as an extremely conscientious young man.”
“Oh, yes! A very high stickler. And so
serious
! I am in despair. The more he is around me, the more I shock him, Caitlin. I cannot seem to mind my tongue, and he thinks
levity
, you know, to be so very bad. Many people feel that way, I fear. And I cannot help myself! When I laugh out loud, or make some silly jest, he often looks at me so gravely I am ready to sink with mortification.”
“But your sunny nature and vivacity are exactly what one most admires in you!” Caitlin exclaimed indignantly. “You cannot wish to ally yourself with a man who would
squelch
you.”
Serena sighed. “He does not seek to squelch me, precisely—just check me a little. There is nothing strange in that. I had a governess once who was forever telling me my exuberance went beyond the line of being pleasing.”
“Very likely! I make no doubt you were a giggling and bumptious child! But, Serena, you are no longer a schoolroom miss. I am sure you will find a man who loves and appreciates your animation for the attractive quality it is.”
Serena looked doubtful. “Do you think so? I cannot credit it! Captain Talgarth is one of those men who are drawn to timid, die-away creatures requiring guidance and support—and I will never be among them.”
“Nonsense, Serena, he must admire you!” Caitlin said firmly. She could not resist adding, “Such a punctilious young man would not otherwise allow you to hang on his sleeve.”
Serena brightened. “Then perhaps if I am able to school myself into more circumspect behavior, and mind my tongue, his affections will reanimate toward me.”
This was disturbing. Caitlin squeezed Serena’s elbow earnestly. “Do not alter yourself one jot. If a deception is necessary to attract Captain Talgarth, I promise you you will never find happiness with him.”
“At any rate,” declared Serena with spirit, “I shall not hang on his sleeve anymore today!” She then ruined the effect by adding: “Perhaps he will pursue me if I hold a little aloof.”
The path widened as it dipped slightly downhill toward a grassy area lined with elms, and Mr. Montague strode up to join Lady Serena and Caitlin. Caitlin glanced back to see Emily walking between Sir Egbert and Captain Talgarth, who had politely slowed his steps to suit his companions’ sedate pace. Sir Egbert and Emily both appeared glad to dispense with Mr. Montague’s lead, whose idea of a comfortable stroll was much brisker than theirs. His energy exactly suited Serena and Caitlin, however, and as he seemed delighted to have a pretty girl on each arm the three of them were very well satisfied and soon drew far ahead of the rest of the party. Mr. Montague’s high spirits restored Serena’s ebullience faster than Caitlin’s sympathy had been able to, and the three of them were so merry that they hardly noticed the passage of time until a clock was heard striking three in the distance.
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Serena. “Whatever became of my brother? We haven’t seen him for an age.”
Mr. Montague shook his head disapprovingly. “Shabby, I call it,” he said severely. “Not at all the thing to abandon one’s guests in the middle of a party. After driving them our of town, too! Shocking bad
ton.
”
Serena had known Mr. Montague all her life and refused to stand on ceremony with him. “Do be quiet, Ned!” she begged. “You never say anything to the purpose! We will have to go in search of the others.”
Mr. Montague nudged Caitlin. “Runs in the family, you see,” he explained. “Rag-mannered, these Kilvertons. Pack of barbarians. I have meant to speak to them about it, but from one cause or another it never seemed to
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