Page 44

‘I think the young ’uns have done quite well to spring that wild young friend of theirs from the grip of Bow Street.’

‘I know, but at what cost?’

‘Well, the blunt don’t matter. But your sister’s future does.’ He sat on the sofa and unhurriedly crossed his legs, stretching his arm out along the back, while she took the chair opposite. He continued, ‘In many ways, it’s an excellent match, you know.’

‘But not in the most important way.’ Sybella’s troubled eyes met his languorous gaze.

‘There are many who would consider title, status and fortune more important than anything else.’ He was watching her more intently than she knew.

‘I understand that. And Valentine Ravenell is surely the most charming and affectionate of young men. But I want more for my sister.’ Sybella’s hands were tightly clasped in her lap.

‘Ah, but are you being too romantic, my dear Mrs Lovatt? Perhaps there is more than one way to conjugal happiness?’

‘I presume that’s something you know much about, Mr Brabazon.’ Sybella smiled mischievously and he responded with a short laugh.

‘Admittedly, only from the outside, but yes. Without actually becoming riveted myself, I think I have had a measure of experience in the matter.’ A wry smile lightened his countenance.

Sybella was surprised at his frankness. She knew Mr Brabazon’s reputation for discretion and secrecy, and Lady Godley had told her that in the last fifteen years or so there had been many inamoratas, not all of them known but some certainly married.

‘Perhaps your experience is of a more irregular kind of marriage, Mr Brabazon?’

He gave her an amused glance. ‘Perhaps that is just the kind of marriage that you are concerned should not be your sister’s lot, Mrs Lovatt?’

James had been playing quietly with his alphabet cards on the carpet and looked up to fix Mr Brabazon with his very blue gaze. ‘I go in your corricle again?’

‘Yes, you can. I’ll bring it round with the greys next week and we can go for a drive in the Park.’

‘I hold the ribbons?’

‘I think that might be possible.’

‘Only top-sawyers can hold your ribbons?’ he looked enquiring up at him through his golden curls.

‘Yes. But you’re going to be a top-sawyer too when you’re big, aren’t you? You told me so.’ James’s head nodded vigorously and his hand crept towards Mr Brabazon’s knee. With the use of this prop, he hauled himself to his feet and stood close to him, his other fist filled with a fan of alphabet cards.

Sybella had noticed the small hand confidently resting on the beautiful buckskin breeches and she quietly removed it and took it in her own.

‘I don’t mind. I’m actually not a true dandy, you know, my clothes are not the most important consideration in my life.’

‘Oh, I don’t think you a dandy at all.’

‘I wonder what you do think me,’ he murmured, almost to himself.

James interrupted, ‘Mr B, see my Dasher?’ and his bright face was suddenly clouded.

‘You’ve reminded me. I have a message for you and your mama from George. Dasher is missing you, but George is looking after him and he’s tip-top.’ James nodded and smiled, happy again, and Mr Brabazon turned to Sybella. ‘And George’s message for you, Mrs Lovatt, is that all the new rotation crops are doing well. The rain has helped and now it’s warm and dry at just the right time. The bees have survived the worst of the cold and are happily working away, collecting nectar from the blackthorn, the apple and pear blossom and the cowslips and bluebells and wild garlic in the wood.’ He watched her face relax and her eyes alight again with memories of home. ‘And my message for you,’ he continued, ‘is that the building of the windmill has begun!’

‘Oh, how exciting!’ She spontaneously clapped her hands. ‘I didn’t realise you were serious about that.’

‘I’m serious about everything, Mrs Lovatt,’ he said with an unfamiliar gleam in his eye.

‘Can I then hold you to that promise of a ride to Richmond Park? I so need to give Scipio his head in a good gallop.’

‘I think my Hades is just as much in need of shaking his heels. Get rid of the fidgets.’

‘I think I need to get rid of my fidgets too.’

‘Would tomorrow suit you? We’ll have to set out early. Can you and your groom be ready by 10 a.m.?’