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“You have indeed. I do not know of any other man who would stop to speak and engage in such conversation with a woman to whom they have not been introduced.”
“I know few ladies who would do the same.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you saying I am unladylike?”
“Not at all. You present a most charming picture.”
Her face warmed, and she had a sudden desire to cover her mottled cheek and snatch the stupid lace cap from her head. Such foolishness indeed! “I should leave—”
“Forgive me. I have no wish to upset you.” He sighed, his features resuming their earlier gravity. “It would seem from the way in which you speak that you are quite close to Miss Mannering.”
“Why yes. Since her mother and I were so close, I have known Miss Mannering since they moved here twelve years ago.”
“But you can scarcely be her age. She was older than me.”
“Does age always predicate one’s friends?”
His lips pulled to one side. “I should think one’s wit might hold greater predication to be your friend, Miss …?” He raised a brow.
“Miss Stapleton.”
An arrested look came into his eye, and he inclined his head. “I gather then that my comments earlier were taken more from a personal affront than merely that of a friend.”
“You gather correctly, sir. Although at the risk of seeming as one permanently offended, I must take exception to your accusation of personal affront.”
“You were not offended?”
“No!” The lift of his eyebrow drew heat and belated amusement at how she must appear. “I merely did not expect to be bandying words with a stranger today. Miss Mannering is staying at Stapleton Court, where I also reside.”
“Ah. Then perhaps you might permit me to escort you there.”
The sound of a carriage drawing close begged attention. Her heart sank in recognition. “Thank you, sir, but such things are unnecessary.”
“But as it is Miss Mannering I have come to see,” he murmured, shifting the reins as his horse moved restlessly.
“Of course. You are here on her uncle’s behest, after all.”
“Actually—”
“Oh, my dear Miss Stapleton!” called Lady Bellingham’s voice. “How fortuitous to meet you. We had such hopes of seeing you before the day is out, didn’t we, Frederick?” Mother and son cast inquisitive eyes at the gentleman in the gig beside Theo.
“And now you have found me.” She summoned a smile she hoped would hide the impatience in her voice.
“We should have arrived earlier, but Sir Giles took longer to leave than I’d expected, it being such a way to travel to Newcastle after all.”
“I trust he will have a safe journey,” Theo offered.
“Yes, well, I hope that too, of course. But I didn’t come to speak with you on that. I have heard from those gossips that like to call themselves postmasters that he is here!”
“Who is here?”
“Why, the captain, of course! Really, I do not know why you are not more excited about such things, not when everyone else is so agog to meet him. Why, to think he is to visit our little part of the world, well, it’s beyond everything! I cannot wait to write to dear Amelia about such things.”
“You have met him, then?”
“Well, no. But I hope to before too many more days pass.” Her perusal of the man in the gig became fixed, the slight furrow in her brow making Theo sure she would soon be expected to perform the introductions. Which would prove less challenging if she knew the man’s name.
“Well …” Theo summoned what she hoped appeared a pleasant smile. “I hope you get the chance to meet him soon, Lady Bellingham.”
