Page 18 of Dare it all for Love

“Like what?” Florence asked, not quite understanding.

Vivien pursed her lips and studied her nails with an expression that was far too innocent to sit easily on her stunning features. “Oh, like… making out your horse has bolted, or… falling off and pretending you’ve sprained your ankle and can’t ride, so you can be alone with a certain fellow who’s been playing hard to get.”

Ash groaned and put his head in his hands. “Viv!”

“What?” she demanded, wide-eyed. “It’s quite brilliant if you ask me, but I suppose it’s up to you, Flo. What do you think?”

Florence grinned at her.

Chapter 5

Dear diary,

It is always such fun to be at Holbrook House, especially this summer, for Aggie is here too. She really is the dearest creature and my very best friend. I feel sad that she lives in an orphanage, not that she seems to mind, for she says it is a palace compared to her life before. She says the teachers are all lovely and kind and she likes being with all the other girls. Of course she also has the Comte de Villen as her guardian, who is very glamorous and spoils her a good deal.

I asked Papa if I might give her one of my new gowns, as I know she won’t have anything so fine, and I have lots to choose from. He kissed me and said I was just like Mama, which I think means I may do as I please, for he loves Mama above all things.

Lord Fred bought Aggie more books too, so I think she is having a splendid time.

I saw Grace Weston crying this morning. She was all by herself in the orchard and looked so desperately unhappy I did not like to intrude. I wonder if I ought to tell someone. I don’t want to be a tattletale.

―Excerpt of an entry to the diary of Lady Catherine ‘Cat’ Barrington, (youngest daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Montagu).

Still the 15th of August 1839, en route from Hever Castle to Holbrook House, Sussex.

“Are you going to tell me about her, then?”

Henry slowed his horse as Jasper Cadogan, the Earl of St Clair, rode up beside him.

“About whom?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. He had the uncomfortable suspicion he would not enjoy this conversation.

“Don’t be thick, Henry. I’ve known you since you were in short trousers.”

Henry returned a quelling expression, which only made Jasper snort.

“Miss Knight, you dolt, and stop pretending ignorance.”

Henry glanced about them to see if they could be overheard.

“There’s nothing to tell,” he replied, aware he sounded terse. “The silly chit has a tendre for me, that’s all.”

“Really?” Jasper replied, raising his eyebrows. “I always found Miss Knight to be a well-educated, sensible young woman, not the least bit silly. Not surprising, really, with Lady Helena for a mother. She’s very keen on the education of women. A fan of Mary Wollstonecraft, I believe. Don’t get her started on A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, for you’ll be in for a long evening. Not that I disagree, naturally.”

“Naturally,” Henry replied dryly.

Jasper laughed. “Well, really, Henry! I am married to your sister, and we’d both need to be exceptionally witless not to realise she’s got more brains than the two of us put together.”

Henry muttered an oath of exasperation and raised his eyes skyward. “Is there a point to this conversation?”

“Naturally there’s a point.”

“Well, do you think we might get to it via a more direct route?”

“You know, I have noticed that men who deny they are in love when all evidence is to the contrary are remarkably bad-tempered.”

Henry glowered at the man who had been his best friend since boyhood. “That would be a no, then.”

Jasper grinned at him, quite unrepentant.