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Since the lady did not ask him a direct question, Ethan made no reply. He felt the frustration in the quick stare she darted at him, and he arched a brow.
“Is something amiss, Miss Alice?”
She tipped her head toward him, a curious smile on her mouth. “Is Lady Charity a good friend of the family, my lord?”
“She is close enough,” he said mildly. “Are you acquainted with the lady?”
“Oh no, my friends are much younger and fashionable,” she said a bit peevishly.
“I was not able to tell by appearance that you and Lady Charity are much different in age. The lady is rather lovely, and so are you,” he said with chilling politeness, “Not that I think age in friendship matters, once there are admirable qualities that are appreciated by each party.”
Miss Alice flushed. “Of course, I did not mean to imply otherwise.”
They rounded the lane which led to the gardens to see his mother, Aunt Bess and the viscountess staring at some sort of spectacle. His mother sent him a quick glance of assessment, trying to discern from his countenance how he felt about the lady at his side. Ethan deliberately kept his expression inscrutable to her evident annoyance.
“Is everything well, mother?”
“I am still trying to decide what I am seeing.”
“I believe it to be my niece,” Aunt Bess said with a frown.
“Is Jenna riding astride?” His mother asked in horrified accents.
For a moment, Ethan had nothing to say. Scanning the lawns, he made out two riders in the distance, racing at breakneck speed. The lady that arrested his attention wore no bonnet or riding hat, and her lovely hair streamed behind her wild and free. “I believe it is, madam.”
“And who is that with her?”
“Lady Charity Rutherford.”
A soft gasp escaped Miss Alice, and of course, that sound of dismay had his mother, aunt and the viscountess taking a more assessing look at Lady Charity.
His mother narrowed her eyes in unmistakable disapproval. “Is she any relations to Earl Bonham?”
“His sister.”
“Why in heavens name are they both riding astride?” Aunt Bess demanded, sounding thoroughly aghast. “Vinnie, I do believe they are in breeches!”
“I gather that is their preference,” Ethan said, secretly amused at the ladies' daring. He wondered what his mother was thinking as she stared at Lady Charity.
“Well, I will not have it. Kindly inform your sister this behavior is unacceptable,” his mother said. “I had no notion Jenna knew how to ride in that manner. It is thoroughly unbecoming in a lady of her stature. My lord, please inform her of your displeasure.”
“I am not at all displeased, madam.”
“Ethan!” his mother cried, sending him a look filled with reproach. “Such conduct cannot be allowed.”
“She is your daughter, madam. I believe those words of reproach should come from you.”
His mother spluttered, and he dipped and pressed a kiss to her cheek and then one to Aunt Bess. “I have some work to do. I will be in the study if I am needed.”
“Work,” Aunt Bess said, “I thought you came down to the country to relax.”
“Nothing of the sort. Jenna is relaxing. I am still working.”
His aunt and mother exchanged conspiratorial glances.
“We have invited Miss Alice and Lady Lipton to stay with us for a few days,” his mother said with a calculating glint in her eyes. “We hope it is not a great imposition or distraction from your work.”
“None at all,” he murmured.
