‘I do not possess a mama.’
‘No. My commiserations, Miss Ashling, but of course it does mean that your acceptance of my offer will not result in anyone suffering insomnia.’
She laughed.
Lady Chalford might not lose slumber over the matter, but she felt it incumbent upon her to draw her niece’s attention to the light in which being taught to drive by the Earl of Easby might be seen.
‘He is not a gentleman with a good reputation. He … philanders.’
‘I hardly think he is going to “philander” with me, dear Aunt. He has shown no interest in me at all, for which I am truly grateful.’
‘Elizabeth, I know you are not a girl in her first Season, and not as green as dear Amelia, but we are talking about a man of the world. I beg you to consider very carefully.’
‘Are you going to forbid me, Aunt?’
115‘No, my dear, for that would be to throw you into his arms.’
‘Into his arms? No fear of that, I assure you. I am not going to be any man’s amusement.’
Lady Chalford was only marginally relieved. That Elizabeth was not inclined to regard Lord Easby with particular favour eased her mind, for assuredly he would hurt her, but she would still have to fend off comments from ‘wiser’ mamas, who would not cease to shake their heads if Elizabeth chose to be seen in his company, and there was also that final statement. Lady Chalford did not want her niece to be upset again, but was equally unhappy to think that she had so set her mind against men that no gentleman might find favour with her, and make her happy.
Elizabeth herself had been left both annoyed and vaguely uncomfortable. She disliked being under such scrutiny, and also disliked upsetting her aunt, though she felt she was being too swayed by the views of others. At the same time, she felt a small knot of concern deep within. Perhaps she ought to give more credence to Lord Easby’s reputation than she had previously, for she had ignored it. That it should then be brought up by Sir Lucius Radstock made things all the worse. He either thought her ignorant or foolish, and the small voice in her head that enquired why that should matter was resolutely pushed away. He had yet again made her irritable, and she blamed him for her lossof temper.
116
CHAPTER NINE
Her first driving lesson allayed her qualms. Nothing could have been less dangerously romantic ormore down to earth, and the groom looked the epitome of stolid respectability. Lord Easby made no attempt to sit unnaturally close, or ‘guide’ her left hand, but rather explained how the reins were held, and then let her tool the pair at the walk along the track. He then had her bring them to a halt, start, halt again, until she felt in control of the vehicle. He exuded calm confidence, and she pushed Sir Lucius’s adverse comments to the back of her mind. There was no sign of her teacher trying to take liberties, and what could she learn incorrectly at this stage? There were few to see her feat of skill, since Lord Easby had recommended that they commence before there were too many vehicles upon the circuit. He praised her efforts, and her reading of the horses’ temperaments. All in all, she returned to Mount Street in a delighted frame of mind.117Had she seen the smile on Lord Easby’s handsome face as he drove the pair home, she might have been less pleased.
Inexplicably, Sir Lucius did not see Miss Ashling out riding until several days after the meeting with Lord Collingbourne. She was trying, without success, not to be jealous of those who could enjoy a decent canter without expending more effort than the beast beneath them, and it was with acute embarrassment that she saw Lord Godmanchester and Sir Lucius Radstock coming towards her. She could do nothing more than acknowledge their greetings, and try to ignore the pained look upon Sir Lucius’s face. The sight of Miss Ashling’s mount was almost too much for him to bear. Lord Godmanchester had to bite his lip at his friend’s mutterings as they drew up. The fact that Miss Ashling was clearly not a timid horsewoman for whom such a beast might just have been appropriate made it all the worse.
‘Good morning, Miss Ashling. Enjoying the fresh air, I see.’
‘Good morning, my lord, Sir Lucius. The fresh air is enjoyable but that is as far as my pleasure extends.’
‘Ah. Your mount does not seem …’
‘Equine? Quite probably.’ She made no attempt to excuse the animal, and sounded thoroughly fed up. ‘I am the only female in the family who enjoys riding, and alas, my uncle believes a ladies’ hack must be sound in all paces, assuming only that it has but two.’
‘My dear Miss Ashling, you have our sympathies, doesn’t she, Lucius?’
118Sir Lucius nodded.
‘You must know, Miss Ashling, that my friend here is just the man you should consult if you want a good bit of horseflesh.’
‘Indeed. Sir Lucius appears to be “just the man” one should consult upon so many things.’ She flashed him a brittle smile.
Lord Godmanchester threw his friend a swift glance, but Sir Lucius seemed impervious to the barb. He still seemed overwhelmed by the hack’s bad points, which were too numerous to list.
‘Lord Chalford actually selected this beast? Did you not have any influence upon his choice?’ Sir Lucius sounded genuinely bemused.
‘I fear that my own preferences count for little.’ Miss Ashling coloured. ‘He did not consider it reasonable to bring my own hack up from Sussex. Were I to use my allowance to purchase or hire another animal I would risk insulting my uncle.’
Sir Lucius frowned, and glanced at his friend. ‘Would Lady Godmanchester not be grateful if Miss Ashling would exercise her hack whilst she is unable to do so?’
There was a pause for a fraction of a second. ‘Now that is a splendid idea. Would you permit me to ask Lord Chalford if you might do that? It would be doing us a service.’
‘I …’ Elizabeth hesitated. ‘It is very generous of you. I did not know Lady Godmanchester was a keen horsewoman.’
