While they were walking in garden, Roxanne stayed silent, Sir Louis said to her: "It seemed to me to have sensed an unliking by you regarding me, am I right?",
"Not at all. It is just I had the impression you were a little hasty. And you didn't ask my opinion about it",
"And what is your opinion?",
"As I said, I have no intention of leaving Wellington. I have never lived in England and I don't want to live far away from my father",
"Now it is you being hasty", Roxanne did not reply and they walked back into the house.
Back in, Sir Louis stunned Roxanne by addressing Lord Swan: "I regret to say that your daughter is quite arrogant, Sir", he told him, "I don't believe a gentleman would ever take her as a wife", annoyed Lord Swan replied: "You are saying it on what base? You have exchanged just a few words with her",
"They were enough to make me understand she would embarrass me in Society. I mean not offend Your Lordship and I thank you for receiving me",
"Perhaps it is better so",
"I had an opinion of her that turned out to be wrong. Her boldness makes me doubt whether she is virtuous",
"How dare you say such insinuations in my own home? Leave", Roxanne was listening dismayed. Sir Louis was accompanied by the maid, after apologized again to Lord Swan.
Roxanne could not understand Sir Louis's sudden change, "Such an insolent man!", commented Lord Swan, "But you, what have you done this time to give him such an impression?",
"I have not done anything. We have just exchanged some pleasantries",
"Despite it doesn't justify his impudence, your defeatist behavior towards your suitors is embarrassing me! I allow you to choose your future husband, which is a rare opportunity for a good family lady. I could have forced you to get married",
"And I thank you for not having such an attitude", Roxanne said compliantly, "But by the end of the Season I want you to have chosen a betrothed. It is my last word on the subject", Lord Swan gave her no time to reply.
Should Roxanne be resigned to get married?
YOU ARE READING
Burning diamond
General FictionSet in New Zealand, in 1897. Roxanne Swan is the adoptive daughter of the Earl Swan, rebel and wild, she has no intention to get married and frights away all her suitors. But the father imposes her to chose a betrothed, so she addresses her attentio...
