Page 18 of Earl, Enemy, Husband?

Florence let go the breath she had not realised she was holding. That Lady March seemed to recall Lord Blackdown’s mother and seemingly without animosity was a welcome surprise. Indeed, now she thought about it, she had barely heard mention of his mother from anyone.

‘We came to seek your help, Lady March.’ She spoke loudly, clearly and slowly.

‘No need to shout,’ the old woman said. ‘What sort of help?’

‘We are seeking information and were hoping you might have some idea where we might look,’ Blackdown said, clearly trying to take control of the situation. Florence gave him a look. If he annoyed the lady—and Lady March was easily annoyed—then they would get nowhere.

He looked blandly back at her.

Lady March waved a hand. ‘Sit down, boy. I am getting a crick in my neck. You too, miss.’

If Blackdown was insulted by the term ‘boy’, he did not show it. Instead, he carried two chairs close to the old lady’s chaise and gestured for Florence to sit, before sitting himself. She tried not to marvel at the easy way he picked up the heavy oak chairs, as if they weighed nothing. But then he had lifted her just as easily. She felt herself blushing again and pushed the recollection away. Lord Blackdown was not for her.

‘I suppose you want tea,’ the old lady grumbled. ‘I don’t suppose you brought any of those nice biscuits you make, did you, Florence?’

Florence winced. ‘I am sorry, I did not. It was quite by chance that I met his lordship this morning and decided to accompany him. I will bring some next time. Please do not bother to call for tea unless you would like some.’

‘By chance, hey?’ The woman looked at each of them carefully and nodded her head. ‘I see. No tea for me.’ She cackled. ‘I’ll spend all night at the necessary if I drink tea in the afternoon.’

Lady March was nothing if not frank. ‘I understand you are unwell, Lady March. I will call in on Dr Marshall on my way home and bid him to call on you.’

Lady March stiffened. ‘I won’t have that young jackanapes anywhere near me. Trying to press his newfangled ideas on me. Diet and exercise, indeed—does he think I’m a horse?’

‘That young jackanapes’ was all of fifty. ‘Perhaps he can see Simpson while he is here? I understand from Ginny that he is laid up with some complaint. I know how you rely on him.’

‘Far be it from me to deny my people proper care,’ the old lady said. ‘Very well. Have him come.’

With the niceties out of the way, Florence decided it was time to press on with the purpose of their visit. ‘We came to see you, because you are perhaps the only person who might be able to help us with our quest.’

Lady March’s eyes sharpened. ‘What is that, then?’

‘We are looking for the truth about a rumour that the Ingrams improperly acquired land belonging to my family.’

‘Oh that. It is common knowledge that they did.’

‘Common knowledge is not proof,’ Blackdown said stiffly.

Florence glared at him, but it was too late.

Lady March thumped her walking stick on the floor. ‘Are you giving me the lie, boy? Your family is a disgrace to the county and you come in here making out like butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth then try to browbeat me, the way your father did?’

Blackdown went white around the mouth. ‘I refuse to believe that my great-grandfather, a man who was honourable to his core, would have—’

‘Honourable to his core?’ The old lady cackled. ‘So that’s what you think, is it? The Ingrams were pirates, no more, no less.’

‘Privateers,’ he said harshly. ‘And proud of it.’

Florence could not believe what she was hearing. Why on earth had she let him anywhere near Lady March? Now they would never get the answers they were looking for.

The old lady tilted her head and pursed her lips. ‘You’ve got more backbone than your father, I’ll give you that. I had him trembling in his shoes the last time I saw him.’

Florence’s jaw dropped at Lady March’s conciliatory tone.

‘And the land?’ Blackdown pressed.

Lady March shook her head, the folds of flesh at her chin trembling as she moved. ‘I cannot help you one way or the other. The Dearings claimed the land was stolen, the Ingrams denied the claim. The county, those of any consequence, came down on the side of the Dearings.’

‘You don’t care to help,’ Blackdown said flatly.