‘Not in the least.’
She looked startled, then a delicious little smile dimpled her cheeks. ‘Then may I say, my lord, that there is hope for you yet? But oh—your brother.’ Suddenly that smile had vanished. ‘I’m sorry. You must be anxious. If you’d like me to call later…’
‘Not at all. Please come through to the drawing room and say what you have to say.’
‘I will remain here, my lord, since you are clearly busy. I have called, of course, because of your proposition last night. But before I say anything else, I must inform you that this morning George Melling paid me a visit.’
He felt a surprisingly strong surge of anger. ‘I suppose he told you some fresh scandal about me?’
‘He began by apologising for the trouble at the protest meeting. Also—’ and she hesitated just a fraction ‘—he must haveheard that you came to my assistance, because he assured me once more that you were on no account to be trusted.’
Dan folded his arms across his chest. ‘And then?’
‘I answered, my lord, by saying I believed he was the one not to be trusted. I also explained everything you said, about my aunt’s debts to him and how he had tried to force her into agreeing to his plans for a hotel.’
Dan found himself glowing with unexpected pleasure.Well done, Kate Summerby.Aloud he said, ‘What was his reaction?’
‘He was not pleased, so I told him to leave the house. He was reluctant, but I resorted to an old trick of my Aunt Jemima’s if she was ever troubled by unwanted callers. You see, she kept a large handbell by the door to summon help if required, which I rang vigorously, and by the time both Harriet and Joseph had rushed to see what was the matter, he was on his horse and riding away as fast as he could.’
Dan suddenly felt more light-hearted than he had for a long time. ‘An excellent tactic,’ he said. ‘Might I also suggest that if you are seen in my company, it will make it even clearer to Melling that he needs to stop pestering you?’
‘Ah, but would it be as effective as Aunt Jemima’s handbell, I wonder?’
He grinned. ‘I very much doubt it.’
She had been fiddling with the ribbons of her brown bonnet, and now she pulled the thing off. Without it he was able to register her features anew, noting those high cheekbones and the soft curve of her lips. She was what thetoncalled an original, unspoiled and unaffected. She was brave too; neither he nor Melling had daunted her.
‘My lord,’ she said at last, ‘I came here, of course, to discuss your proposition. I have no real wish to leave Clematis Villa, so in order to make my position in the town more bearable, I feel bound to accept your offer. But I must be honest with you.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘I can’t imagine you are ever anything but honest, Miss Summerby.’
‘I tend to express my thoughts too readily, I agree.’ She nodded, frowning. ‘But I need to tell you that I have no liking for society. No skill. I find it awkward making light conversation with other ladies, and as for gaining the admiration of gentlemen—well, I have no interest in that either.’
Her candour tugged at him again and he longed to ask why. Instead, he said, ‘I can see you are a woman who values her independence, which I respect. Our outings will, of course, be suited to your tastes. If you wish, for example, we could go to a lecture in the town. Or,’ he added manfully, ‘perhaps a musical concert.’
Oh, that really shocked her.‘You?’Her eyes were wide. ‘A musical concert?’ He saw that she’d put one hand to her mouth, maybe to smother a laugh. ‘I’m sorry, my lord. But I did not imagine…’
‘I don’t mind the occasional musical event,’ he protested. ‘I’ve even been known to attend the opera.’
Once, and that had been quite enough, but he didn’t say that.
‘I suppose then,’ she said, ‘that a concert might be appropriate. And you did say, too, that having me at your side might keep you safe from unwanted female attention—although I don’t think anyone will believe for a moment that you have serious intentions towards me.’
He was silent a moment before saying, ‘Have you ever thought that you underestimate yourself, Miss Summerby?’
‘Oh, never!’ She spoke cheerfully. ‘My Season taught me quite a few lessons in life, you see.’ She looked serious again. ‘But Lord Rivington—I know you’ve said you have no intention of marrying for a good while. But what if you met someone next week, let’s say, who forced you to think again?’
He spoke curtly this time. ‘I don’t believe in romantic love, if that’s what you mean. It can lead to mistakes.’
She said nothing, and he guessed she was thinking about his broken betrothal, for the gossip must surely have reached her by now. But her response, when it came, was brisk enough. ‘Then you and I will be in perfect agreement,’ she said, ‘and since everyone knows that by the end of summer you will be returning to London, there can be no suspicion that we are serious about each other. What could be better?’
She looked so satisfied that Dan was taken aback, since most ladies would be almost swooning in delight at an invitation from the Earl of Rivington. Miss Summerby was certainly going to be a restraint on his vanity.
He realised she was still speaking. ‘The other day,’ she said, ‘I saw a poster in Donaldson’s library advertising an operatic recital next Thursday evening. Should we make that our first outing?’
Dear God.Squawking females. ‘Very well,’ he said, gritting his teeth. ‘I shall reserve tickets and contact you to make the final arrangements. Is that acceptable?’
‘Perfectly, thank you. And now—’ she was glancing at the clock standing in the hallway ‘—I really must go.’
