The lady crooked her finger, immediately setting up Carina’s back. She contemplated ignoring the summons, but in the end, mindful of the children’s avid observation, she strolled toward the woman, who awaited her just inside the door.
“Miss Jasper?”
Carina inclined her head, wondering how and why the lady knew her name.
“I’m Bethany Baldeston, Durward’s sister. I felt I should at least recognize you if we ran across each other, since I recommended you so highly.”
Carina’s breath rushed out. “Mrs. Baldeston.” She was glad her knees supported her in her curtsey. “Forgive me, I didn’t know... That is, I am so grateful for your help.”
“There is no need,” Mrs. Baldeston said stiffly. “I did it for Durward and hoped I would not regret it.”
Carina swallowed. “As do I,” she said humbly.
“Lady Grandison seems very pleased with you, fortunately. I knew it was a risk, recommending any young female acquainted with my brother.”
Carina’s hackles rose at that. She lifted her chin. “Then why did you?”
“Novelty. Naturally, Durward does not involve me in his—er...amours, so I wanted to know what he was up to. But you talk like a lady, and you appear to be respectable.”
“You overwhelm me.”
“Knowing Durward as I do, it overwhelmsme,” Mrs. Baldeston retorted. “How on earth do you come to be acquainted with him?”
“I lived with my father in Harwich where his lordship performed a considerable service for us. My father took him sailing, and discovering I was in need of a post, he said he would...”
“Sailing?” Mrs. Baldeston pounced, frowning at her. “Please tell me you are not the tugboat captain’s daughter?”
Heat flooded into Carina’s face.Is that what he calls me? No name, no respect, just ‘the tugboat captain’s daughter’—a jest for his family and friends? With difficulty and not a little defiance, she held the other woman’s gaze. “What is wrong with that? He is also a gentleman.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” Mrs. Baldeston said at once. “What on earth is he up to? Miss Jasper, you have not made the mistake of falling in love with my graceless brother, have you?”
“I know my place, Mrs. Baldeston,” Carina said coldly. “There is no need to rub it in.”
To her surprise, Durward’s sister blushed. “You misunderstand me,” she said, dropping her gaze. “And no wonder. Forgive my impertinence.” She turned and whisked herself out of the room, leaving Carina stupidly shaken.
Chapter Ten
Carina was impressed that despite all the duties and pressures upon Harriet Cole in the days before her wedding, the bride always managed to spend time with her sisters and Alex, who appeared more like a brother than a cousin to them. She always came to hug little Orchid goodnight too, and Carina suspected she also looked in on the other children later on.
Lord Sanderly seemed to be perfectly at ease with their noise and affection. In fact, Carina suspected he liked it. He made a point of giving Alex riding lessons, and teaching him to drive, a privilege the girls envied and yet never complained about. During the afternoon after Mrs. Baldeston’s visit, when Harriet had joined the girls and Carina for their walk, none of them were surprised to glimpse Alex cantering along the ridge of the hill. Sanderly rode beside him, while another gentleman rode just ahead.
The girls abandoned their game and swerved onto the hill path at high speed. Even Lily joined in for a few yards before she fell back to wait for Harriet and Carina.
Harriet said briskly, “Never mind. You are just out of practise at running, since you’ve been confined to bed for so long.”
“I won’t beallowedto run soon, will I?” Lily said, her shoulders drooping.
“I don’t see why,” Harriet objected.
“Miss Jasper says it’s not ladylike. Ladies do not run.”
“In public,” Carina added.
“Exactly,” Harriet agreed. “You can do what you like in your own garden! I certainly intend to.”
“On the other hand,” Carina added. “You’ll never feelobligedto run either or feel compelled to keep up.”
Lily looked quite struck. Then, “Who’s the man with Snake and Alex?”
