McDonald was still engaged with Nicholas when the thunderstorm at last ended and the sun came out. The birds sang their hearts out in the park and the leaves dripped, their colors more vibrant and fresh now. Augustine and her mother had not returned, and Laura had inquired of Hawkins where they were, only to be told that their destination had been the Countess of Bawton’s house. Their purpose had been twofold, first to meet the Duke of Gloucester if possible, and second—and more important as far as Laura was concerned—to arrange the reception at King’s Cliff at which Laura was expected to receive the ladies of the neighborhood. Her heart had sunk on hearing this, for she had been praying that Augustine would let the matter drop, but obviously that was not to be. Augustine was hardly likely to let such an ideal opportunity of making her rival’s life more miserable slip away. With the sun came Mr. Dodswell, intent upon seeing Nicholas, but when he was informed that the engineer was with the master, the agent found himself shown instead into Laura’s presence.
What do You think about The Makeshift Marriage (1983)?
