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Joseph stepped forward and executed a faultless bow. “Good evening, Lord Beath. I’ve been looking forward to your visit. Mrs. Blackmore told me that you collect old coins, and I was hoping I would have the chance to ask you a few questions.”
Beath’s sparse gray eyebrows arched up. “You are interested in coins, young man?”
“I am, sir, especially those of ancient Rome.”
Beath unbent even more. “Then we shall certainly have a chat. It’s quite encouraging to see such interest in history in one so young.”
“Mamma says that one is never too young to begin the study of history,” Joseph smoothly replied.
“Your mamma is quite right,” Beath said with approval.
Samantha could barely keep her mouth clamped shut. Clearly, the Kendricks had decided to launch a full-on charm offensive that even included the children.
“Lord Beath,” Bathsheba exclaimed, her silk skirts rustling as she joined them. “I amsodelighted to see you. Will you join me in that cozy little spot on the other side of the fireplace? We can have a nice chat, and John can fetch you a drink. Brandy, isn’t it?”
As was expected, he couldn’t resist Bathsheba’s charm. Beath smiled at her—or, rather, at her bosom—and nodded.
“Thank you, Mrs. Blackmore. A brandy would be most welcome on such a cold night.”
Bathsheba glanced over her shoulder. “John, fetch Lord Beath a brandy. And please be quick about it.”
Her husband, clearly trying not to laugh, bowed and headed for a large drinks trolley with Logan.
“Mrs. Blackmore, may I join you?” Joseph politely asked. “Lord Beath has agreed to discuss coins with me.”
“How delightful,” Bathsheba enthused. She slipped a hand through Beath’s elbow. “Come along, dear sir. We’ll get you out of the draft from the door.”
With Joseph following behind, she led Beath to a conversation nook on the other side of the fireplace. It was set slightly apart from the rest of the room and would keep the old man out of the flow of commotion.
Samantha let out a ghost of a laugh. “That was much too easy.”
Donella flashed her a wry smile before shooing the children back to the tree. Felicity went with them, clearly relieved to have passed her grandfather’s inspection.
“We’re quite adept at manipulation,” Donella said. “Although Bathsheba puts us all to shame, I must say. She was the one who suggested that Joseph ask him about his coin collection.”
“Beath loves talking about his coin collection, sadly at great length. I’ll have to find a proper Christmas present to thank Joseph for falling on his sword.”
Donella laughed. “He actually is quite interested in coins and Roman history, so I’m sure he’ll get along fine with Beath.”
“I noticed that the men are keeping out of the way,” Samantha said.
They’d all given Beath respectful nods as he’d passed, but they’d made no effort to engage him in conversation.
“That’s part of the plan,” Donella replied. “And Angus will keep the children out of the way. We’ve also set up a buffet in the dining room. People can bring their plates back here, and then we’ll have tea and cakes later in the evening. Lord Beath can hide away in his corner and ignore as many Kendricks as he wishes.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” Samantha ruefully said. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Donella linked arms with her to lead her back to the men. “You can say yes to Braden’s marriage proposal. We would all be ever so grateful if you did.”
Annoyingly, Samantha’s brain stuttered again. “Oh, um . . .”
“Here we are,” Donella gaily announced. “Everyone’s settled, so we can all relax.”
“And here’s your sherry,” Braden said, handing Samantha a delicate wineglass.
She flashed him a smile as she seated herself on one of the velvet sofas. When he sat down beside her and stretched an arm along the back of the sofa, she almost choked on her drink.
Braden ticked up an eyebrow. “All right?”
