Red Jack's Daughter Read Free

introduction.”
    Lord Leith glanced casually to the sidelines, where he at once recognized his aunt, Lady Grantham, attired in several shades of purple. A young person sat at her side. She seemed to be dressed in too much gray fabric and to have no hair at all, rather only a gray lace cap atop her head.
    “I thought she was a companion,” he breathed. “Tell me , is it the light or is the young lady I am about to lose my head over scowling? No, not scowling, sneering?”
    Sir Selby employed his limp handkerchief again and blurted, “Devil take it, Alex. You’re too used to females throwing themselves at your feet. No reason she should be simpering just because you’ve tossed her a look.”
    “No, indeed,” Lord Leith agreed calmly. “Just give me a moment to collect myself.” He gazed over at his aunt again. “Tell me,” he asked Sir Selby, “you say her father saved your life when you were soldiering together?”
    “Twice,” Sir Selby said tightly.
    “Ah, well, twice,” Lord Leith sighed. “Then I fear I am about to experience that phenomenon I have always scoffed at—love at first sight. But,” he cautioned as he approached his aunt and the white-faced solemn figure seated by her side, “only to th e tune of two dances. Not even if he had saved my life thrice will I do more than to lead her in to supper after that.”
    “Aunt,” said Lord Leith, coming forward with every evidence of delight, “I had no idea you would subject yourself to this crush. When Selby told me you were here, I hastened to your side. What brings you here? I thought you were through with such pastimes.”
    “And so I was,” Lady Grantham said in a clear carrying voice, “after I got Nettie and Lydia popped off. But I wanted to show my dear young friend here some of the high points of London fashion. She has only just arrived from the country and I thought she might be amused by tonight’s entertainment.”
    Lord Leith looked over toward Lady Grantham’s companion and thought that so might one show amusement at one’s own execution. The light was too dim for him to make out her face with clarity. What he saw, however, was not encouraging for the charade he had promised Sir Selby. Her face was a white oval, the nose seemed small and straight enough, the lips compressed as if by effort; it was only her eyes, large and dark with a curious upward slant, that promised any attraction for him. But they were wide and unblinkingly assessing him. As he had noted before, her hair had been skinned back and was covered with what looked like a table doily, but was most likely some sort of lace cap. Curious, he thought, for the face was young, yet the cap signified spinsterhood.
    Seeing the two younger parties appraising each other in silence, Sir Selby broke in. “Alexander, I’d like to make you known to my dear old friend, Captain Jack Eastwood’s daughter, Miss Jessica Eastwood. Miss Eastwood, may I present Alexander, Lord Leith.”
    “My nephew,” Lady Grantham assisted.
    “Delighted.” Lord Leith smiled and bowed, taking the young woman’s hand.
    But Miss Eastwood sat dumb as a stone and only gave a sharp nod.
    As another small silence threatened, Sir Selby prepared to leap into the breech again. Damn, he thought, fellow’s supposed to be a terror with the ladies, and he makes me do all the work. Lord Leith, however, for once disconcerted by the fierce and uncompromising stare he was subjected to, was trying to think of some way to approach the young woman conversationally so that he could then smoothly ask her to dance with him. It was difficult, he thought, a small smile forming on his lips, to feign sudden rapture for a basilisk.
    “ ‘Red Jack,’ that’s her father, y’know, served with me for many years ... on the continent, on the peninsula. He was a hey-go-mad fellow. Best of fellows. I miss him frightfully. Fell at the Battle of Vitoria. Just last year, you know,” Sir Selby put in.
    “So sorry,” murmured