They will be much more attentive once the ride takes the edge off their exuberance.’
‘Of course. I brought my tilbury, Lady Coghlane. May I offer you a ride?’
‘That’s kind, Mr Ransleigh, but I will not be going. The prospect of a gaggle of children running about, shrieking at each other at the top of their lungs, does not appeal. As for the barn, Theo tells me it is presently unoccupied, needing a good deal of work before it will be fit for her purposes.’ Lady Coghlane shuddered. ‘Not a task I’d willingly undertake! I prefer my rooms already cleaned, polished, heated and well furnished before I enter them—preferably to find a comfortable couch upon which to sit, and a butler at the ready to bring refreshments.’
Theo laughed. ‘It’s good that Papa didn’t ask his sister to follow the drum, then. Shall you feel neglected if I leave you for a time?’
‘Certainly not, my dear. I have letters to write.’
‘I’ll bid you goodbye, then,’ Ransleigh said, making her a bow. ‘Once again, it was a pleasure to meet such a charming lady, and doubly so to meet a friend of my mother’s.’
‘Goodbye, Mr Ransleigh. Do call if you find yourself in town. I would be pleased to receive you in that comfortable parlour and offer some excellent refreshments!’
Ransleigh laughed. ‘I will certainly avail myself of your hospitality when I’m next in London.’ Turning to Theo, he said, ‘Shall I meet you and your charges at the barn, Miss Branwell?’
‘Yes. I’ll go collect them at once. Until later, Aunt Amelia. Let me escort you out, Mr Ransleigh.’
* * *
While they walked towards the entry door, Theo said, ‘As she told you, my aunt has been trying to dissuade me from establishing the school. Failing that, I suppose she hopes I’ll set it up and then turn it over to some good vicar to run, resuming my place as a proper English maiden.’
Her attraction to him, doubtless evident to a man of Ransleigh’s experience, made it even more important to her that Ransleigh understand her views on marriage. So, despite the embarrassment of discussing such a topic with an eligible bachelor, she forced herself to say, ‘Having no daughter of her own, Aunt Amelia always hoped Papa would ship me back to England so she might launch me into society and find me a husband. Neither Papa nor I were ever interested in accepting her kind offer, and with the school to establish, I certainly am not now.’
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