‘Perhaps they have a good colonel.’
Randall shrugged.
‘I demand only two things, Miss Endacott, unquestioning obedience and loyalty.’
She shook her head at him.
‘Loyalty I can understand, but unquestioning obedience? I do not think I could give anyone that.’ She gave a little shrug and smiled at him. ‘Nevertheless, I have to congratulate you on your success, sir. To take such unpromising material and turn them into a crack artillery troop is no mean feat.’
‘A man’s background is nothing to me, as long as he can fight.’
‘But how does one control such men?’ she asked him.
‘Iron discipline. The lash and the rope. When a man joins the Rogues he knows it is his last chance.’
He saw the disapproval in her eyes.
‘That is a brutal way to go on, my lord.’
‘It is necessary. In war a man must know he can rely on his comrades.’
‘I would there were no wars and no need for armies.’
‘That is a dream of all reasonable beings, madam.’
He leaned back, watching the changing emotions flicker across her countenance.
She said a little wistfully, ‘My father was a great supporter of the revolution in France, and of Bonaparte, at first. Papa thought he would uphold democracy, until he proclaimed himself emperor and began to overrun Europe.’
‘Thus, until the world is at peace we shall always need soldiers, Miss Endacott.’
‘We shall indeed. But this is dismal talk, Lord Randall, surely there must be a more entertaining topic?’
‘Yes, you,’ he said, surprising himself, but it was worth it to see the becoming blush spread over her cheeks.
‘No, no, I am not entertaining at all.’
‘Will you not let me be the judge of that?’ She shook her head and looked as if she might leave him, so he said quickly, ‘Very well, what would you like to discuss? Let us agree that I shall allow you to choose the first topic for discussion. You must then allow me my choice.’
She leaned back against the arm of the sofa and regarded him, a faint smile playing at the edges of her mouth.
‘Very well. I would like to know what persuaded the great Earl Randall to attend the party tonight.’
‘That is simple: my sister asked me.’
‘Even though you clearly do not approve of us?’
‘Even so. I am only here for one week and did not wish to spend an evening apart from Harriett.’
‘Hattie always said you were the best of the Latymors.’ She observed his surprise and her smile grew. ‘You must remember I have been Hattie’s friend since our schooldays, Lord Randall. I am aware that your mother, the countess, was outraged when Harriett returned from school with her head full of independent ideas. Our intentions were very much the same, you see. We both wished to make our own way in the world and declared we would never marry. It must have been a relief when Hattie fell head over heels in love with Theophilus three years ago.’
‘It was. Graveney had a comfortable independence and my mother was too relieved to see her daughter respectably married to protest at her new son-in-law’s rather unconventional views.’
Randall was surprised that he should talk so freely. It was not his habit to discuss his family with anyone, but there was an elusive charm about this woman that put him at his ease.
‘Quite...’ she nodded ‘...and they have lived happily in Sussex ever since, unconcerned that Harriett’s family disapprove of the match.’
‘I do not disapprove,’ said Randall mildly. ‘For my part I have no objection to Graveney. He is a decade older than I am and we have little in common, but I like the fact that he has made no effort to ingratiate himself with the family and he is not afraid to speak his mind.’
‘You do not object to that?’ she asked, her brows raised.
‘No, I respect it. And I am content that the fellow can support Harriett and make her happy.’ He paused. ‘Now what have I said to make you smile?’
‘Hattie told me you were very different from the rest of the Latymors.’
‘Oh?’ He stiffened. ‘May I ask what she has said about our family?’
‘She did not imply any criticism,’ she replied quickly. ‘Merely that you are more tolerant than the others. I expect that comes from being a soldier and away so much. I believe your mama, Lady Randall, runs the house and estates at Chalfont Magna in your absence and looks after your younger brothers?’
‘Yes, they are twins and still at Eton.’
‘How old are they now, fourteen? I have no doubt they are very proud of you.’
‘I do not know, I hardly see them. I have been on campaign for most of their lives.’
‘That is very sad, they could learn so much from you. Have you no thoughts of leaving the army and going home, taking your place as head of the household?’
Home. Randall considered Chalfont Abbey. Had he ever felt at home there? His mother ran everything like clockwork and he had always been happy to let her do so. He felt a little spurt of irritation. How dare the woman question him in this way?
‘I have a job to do, Miss Endacott. Perhaps you do not understand that I have a duty to my men and my country.’
‘Of course I understand that, but perhaps, when this campaign is over, you might decide to stay at Chalfont. I am sure your mama would welcome your support.’
‘I doubt it. She has always managed very well without me.’
Even as he said it he was not sure it was true. This last short visit to Chalfont had shown him that she was growing older. She left more of the work to the stewards now.
‘What of the rest of your family? Harriett tells me your oldest sister is in Europe.’
‘Yes.’
‘You do not approve?’
He frowned. This young woman was too perceptive for comfort. He knew he could snub her, but he was enjoying talking to her, more so than anyone else he had met this evening. She spoke again, saying in a reflective voice, ‘From what Harriett has told me about Augusta I am sure she was eager to follow the ton to Paris.’
‘She was and her doting husband indulged her. My mother sent my youngest sister Sarah with them, knowing she would be thrown in the way of eligible young men and hoping she might be induced to accept one of them.’ He gave a little huff of amusement. ‘My mother thinks that at two-and-twenty Sarah is running out of time to
