happy to tell me of the iniquities of your host and hostess. Miss Baverstock has lived here since she was a tot. When her grandfather died sudden like, he’d made no financial provision for her so she’s obliged to suffer or be on the streets.”
James threw down his riding crop, barely restraining himself from cursing. “Where did these current incumbents come from? I cannot believe they were always living in such style, or had so much wealth and their disposal.”
“You have hit the mark, sir, with that. The present Lord Hartford had no expectations of inheriting, was living as a country squire in Bedfordshire. He was discovered by the lawyers. It seems there’s a direct line through a great uncle, but he’s not born and bred to this.”
“Small wonder they wish to keep her away from their guests. She is as different from their girls as chalk is to cheese. Her gentility and refinement do not show the others in a good light.”
He frowned. He should not be discussing such matters with his valet; he must be more careful what he said in future. Quickly changing the subject, he enquired about the other guests.
“How many are expected? I heard at White’s Lord Bloomfield is coming with his entire family. Hasn’t he got two sons and two daughters all of marriageable age?”
“He has, sir, and he’s to have the apartment next to this, his progeny are on the other side of the house. From what I heard there will be thirty staying here, but I don’t believe any of them are likely to be known to you, Sir James.”
“I like Bloomfield. At least I shall have someone to play billiards with when I wish to escape from the ladies.”
He was conducted through the splendid building by a footman who had been assigned to him for the duration of his visit. He was delighted to see this was the same young man who had carried the patient away.
“How is Miss Baverstock? What did the physician say when he called?”
“He wasn’t sent for, Sir James. Mrs. Blake is good with fevers and such, she’ll get better treatment from her anyway.”
“Can you arrange for the basket of fruit and the flowers in my room to be transferred to Miss Baverstock with my compliments?”
The footman beamed. “I’ll see to it myself, Sir James. Lady Hartford says I am to fetch and carry for you so they can have no objection.”
Downstairs there was a confusion of new guests. Lady Hartford and her daughters were greeting each one in turn, but of Lord Hartford there was no sign. This was a further indication that the newly elevated peer did not know the correct way to behave. Not wishing to be involved with introductions, James slipped past unnoticed and strolled into the grand drawing-room.
This chamber was certainly large enough to be the main reception room, but grand it certainly wasn’t. He shuddered at the black and gold furnishings. Her ladyship was obviously a slave to fashion and every item of furniture reflected the Egyptian theme currently in vogue. The décor was not in keeping with the elegant proportions of the room. No doubt, what had been here before was now consigned to the attics along with poor Miss Baverstock.
The patter of slippers alerted him and he glanced over his shoulder. “Lady Eleanor, I am delighted to see you again. It has been too long since we met at the Cavendish party last month.”
She curtsied and he bowed; he didn’t think she’d enjoy him kissing her hand.
“Sir James, I’ve been looking forward to your visit. Mama says I am to apologise on her behalf that you were obliged to become involved with Elizabeth. Mama is most annoyed with her.”
“Unnecessary, my dear, I did no more than any other gentleman would do for a lady in distress.”
“Do you know I’m not allowed to go up and see how she is? She’s the dearest girl; I don’t understand why Amelia and my parents have taken such a dislike to her. The staff treat her with the utmost respect, which is something I suppose.”
He smiled
James threw down his riding crop, barely restraining himself from cursing. “Where did these current incumbents come from? I cannot believe they were always living in such style, or had so much wealth and their disposal.”
“You have hit the mark, sir, with that. The present Lord Hartford had no expectations of inheriting, was living as a country squire in Bedfordshire. He was discovered by the lawyers. It seems there’s a direct line through a great uncle, but he’s not born and bred to this.”
“Small wonder they wish to keep her away from their guests. She is as different from their girls as chalk is to cheese. Her gentility and refinement do not show the others in a good light.”
He frowned. He should not be discussing such matters with his valet; he must be more careful what he said in future. Quickly changing the subject, he enquired about the other guests.
“How many are expected? I heard at White’s Lord Bloomfield is coming with his entire family. Hasn’t he got two sons and two daughters all of marriageable age?”
“He has, sir, and he’s to have the apartment next to this, his progeny are on the other side of the house. From what I heard there will be thirty staying here, but I don’t believe any of them are likely to be known to you, Sir James.”
“I like Bloomfield. At least I shall have someone to play billiards with when I wish to escape from the ladies.”
He was conducted through the splendid building by a footman who had been assigned to him for the duration of his visit. He was delighted to see this was the same young man who had carried the patient away.
“How is Miss Baverstock? What did the physician say when he called?”
“He wasn’t sent for, Sir James. Mrs. Blake is good with fevers and such, she’ll get better treatment from her anyway.”
“Can you arrange for the basket of fruit and the flowers in my room to be transferred to Miss Baverstock with my compliments?”
The footman beamed. “I’ll see to it myself, Sir James. Lady Hartford says I am to fetch and carry for you so they can have no objection.”
Downstairs there was a confusion of new guests. Lady Hartford and her daughters were greeting each one in turn, but of Lord Hartford there was no sign. This was a further indication that the newly elevated peer did not know the correct way to behave. Not wishing to be involved with introductions, James slipped past unnoticed and strolled into the grand drawing-room.
This chamber was certainly large enough to be the main reception room, but grand it certainly wasn’t. He shuddered at the black and gold furnishings. Her ladyship was obviously a slave to fashion and every item of furniture reflected the Egyptian theme currently in vogue. The décor was not in keeping with the elegant proportions of the room. No doubt, what had been here before was now consigned to the attics along with poor Miss Baverstock.
The patter of slippers alerted him and he glanced over his shoulder. “Lady Eleanor, I am delighted to see you again. It has been too long since we met at the Cavendish party last month.”
She curtsied and he bowed; he didn’t think she’d enjoy him kissing her hand.
“Sir James, I’ve been looking forward to your visit. Mama says I am to apologise on her behalf that you were obliged to become involved with Elizabeth. Mama is most annoyed with her.”
“Unnecessary, my dear, I did no more than any other gentleman would do for a lady in distress.”
“Do you know I’m not allowed to go up and see how she is? She’s the dearest girl; I don’t understand why Amelia and my parents have taken such a dislike to her. The staff treat her with the utmost respect, which is something I suppose.”
He smiled
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