The Reluctant Widow

by Georgette Heyer

‘Once a performing bear had entered Nicky’s orbit the rest was inevitable.

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‘Besides, if you had known my cousin better you would have wanted to be a widow,’ Nicky assured her.

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‘And what is to be done about Mrs Macclesfield?’ she asked. ‘It is very uncivil of us, no doubt, but I am inclined to think that we shall do best to let Mrs Macclesfield pass out of our lives without embarking on explanations which cannot be other than awkward,’ he replied.

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Then, too, consider how the least wind must set the tendrils tapping at the window-panes like ghostly fingers! How can you talk of stripping it away? You are not at all romantic!’

Interesting how ‘romantic’ used to be meant. More fanciful.

With this in her hand she retired again to her chair, put another log on the fire, and settled down to be cosy for an hour before retiring to bed.

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This caused the servitor to retreat strategically into the doorway, seeing which Bouncer rose to his feet and barked with all the zest of a dog who finds his threats succeed beyond his expectations.

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And do not explain to me how it comes to be the most reasonable and ordinary thing to have done, because I shall end by believing you, and I know very well it was no such thing!’

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‘Well, Carlyon, I must own that I have wronged you!’ Bedlington said, sighing. ‘But this tragedy has so overset me I do not know what I say!’

I wasn’t expecting that, especially in such a character. But I respect and appreciate it.

I own I shall be glad of a period of quiet reflection,’

What a concept. I should adopt such a practice.

‘Tell his lordship with your compliments,’ corrected Carlyon. ‘You should always add your compliments to any message you wish to render excessively cutting.’

but soberer reflection gave her thoughts a more proper direction, and she could not but acknowledge that it was the part of a loyal Englishwoman to do her possible to frustrate the enemies of her country, however ruthless these might be. But she wished she had not been the appointed Englishwoman.

She agreed that it would have been a shocking thing to have missed spending a week in almost continuous alarm; and was rewarded by his telling her with impulsive warmth that he had known all along that she was a right one.

To be sure, I was a little put out at first, for you must know that from some cause or another I have not been very much in the habit of being hit on the head, and so was inclined to refine too much on the event.

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