‘I think you flatter me,’ Lucy said and laughed, for he was a handsome man, his manners and bearing pleasing. ‘If you speak the truth, you hardly noticed me the night we were introduced. You were a little preoccupied...’
‘Was I?’ His dark eyes narrowed for a moment and then he laughed. ‘Yes, I believe you were right—I was, in fact, a trifle the worse for drink. I had lost a fortune the previous night...but I did recall you, Miss Dawlish, upon my word I did.’
‘I shall believe you, sir,’ she replied and laughed up at him. He was a head taller than Adam, his build classical and elegant, in that he had the physique of a Greek god and his hair was very black against his pale skin. He was dressed in a dark-blue coat that must have been made by Weston or perhaps Scott, for it had a military look, his pale breeches fitting to strong legs and encased in fine topboots. On his right hand he wore a signet on the third finger and a gold pin in his snowy cravat, but his clothes were plain in every other respect.
‘I swear I would not lie,’ he declared, but his eyes held a wicked gleam that made her laugh once more and shake her head.
‘I must have a room prepared for you,’ Jenny said, ‘and then we shall have tea.’
‘I asked Halstead to see to the room,’ Adam said. ‘Pray ring for tea, my dear. George may use my dressing room for the moment if he wishes to refresh himself.’
‘I am quite content here for the moment, if the ladies will excuse me coming to their parlour with all the dirt of the road upon me?’
‘Of course,’ Jenny said. ‘As you see, my husband does not scruple and I wish only to make you both comfortable after your long ride. Please take a seat, sir, and tea shall be brought, by which time your room will be ready for you.’
‘I should be going, Jenny,’ Lucy said. ‘If you will send for the carriage...’
‘You must not leave yet, enchantress,’ Lord Daventry protested, his eyes giving her a look of admiration that made her blush. ‘I entreat you, stay and drink a dish of tea with us.’
‘Yes, you must,’ Jenny agreed. ‘I told your groom to inform Lady Dawlish that you would return after tea. Please do, Lucy.’
‘Very well, if you wish it,’ Lucy said. ‘I thought only to leave you with your guest.’
‘If only you also had been a guest here,’ Daventry said and sighed eloquently. ‘I shall hope that your home is not too far distant so that I may pay a call on your dear mama.’
‘It is less than half an hour on horseback,’ Lucy began just as Paul entered the large parlour. She caught her breath and could not continue as he stood just inside the door, his eyes moving over the little group, a slight frown on his brow. His was a brooding presence, his lean frame in marked contrast to the build of the earl, his features dark and graven.
‘Paul...’ Adam saw him and strode to greet him, offering his hand. ‘I am glad you are home. You have seen your father?’
‘Yes. I thank you for your care of him, Cousin,’ Paul replied. ‘It was good of you and Jenny to come here at such short notice.’
‘Hallam asked if we could visit with Lord Ravenscar, for he was called away,’ Adam replied. ‘Indeed, it is Jenny who has sat with him and helped to nurse him—I have been somewhat preoccupied with other things...but now that you are home, we shall leave in a few days.’
‘I wish you will not,’ Paul said. ‘As you know, I have no wife and my father needs a lady to care for him if he is not to be left to the maids. Please make yourselves at home for as long as you wish.’
‘We shall stay, then,’ Adam said. ‘I’ve brought a friend to visit for a few days, Paul. Daventry wishes to look at some of my horses.’
‘You are welcome, sir,’ Paul said and inclined his head. ‘I fear there is little to entertain you here, for my father is ill and we do not invite guests—or only close friends—but any friends of Adam’s are always welcome.’
Daventry went to shake hands with him, looking suitably grave.
‘Adam told me the situation. I am on my way home and came to bear him company, and to look at a horse he mentioned. I do not expect to be entertained, Captain Ravenscar.’
‘You know me, sir?’
‘We met briefly in Vienna. You had just arrived and I was about to leave for London. I dare say you hardly saw me, for I think...you seemed much caught by your own thoughts.’
‘Yes, I dare say I was at that time,’ Paul said stiffly. ‘Forgive me, I must visit my father. I shall have my tea with him, Jenny. I will see you at dinner—Miss Dawlish, your servant.’ He nodded his head curtly and left.
Lucy sensed that he had withdrawn behind a barrier, his eyes distant, as if he hardly saw any of them...especially her.
‘Paul...’ she breathed, but in a voice that carried only as far as the gentleman sitting next to her.
‘You must find me in the way. Perhaps I should leave in the morning...’ Daventry began as Paul went out, but Adam shook his head.
‘No, no, that is not at all the case. Lord Ravenscar bid me treat his house as my own and I assure you that he would not object to my inviting a guest. Paul is a little out of sorts, you understand. I insist you stay for at least two days, as we planned.’
‘Well, if you insist, Adam,’ Daventry said. ‘I shall use my time to make the acquaintance of my new friend.’ His gaze lingered on Lucy with pleasure, bringing a flush to her cheeks.
She had been enjoying his conversation, but Paul’s sudden arrival, his coldness and the look he had given her had wiped the smile from her lips. Was he thinking that she had intruded by staying all day to talk with Jenny? Or did he include her as an old friend? She could not be certain and wished that she had insisted on leaving before Paul returned. She would not for the world have him think she presumed on old acquaintance.
However, she could not leave now without making a fuss. It was not easy to recover the pleasure she’d found in the company of her friends, for she had sensed Paul’s resentment. This was his home and, although he had welcomed the earl and insisted that Adam and Jenny remain, he had refused to have tea with them.
Perhaps it was Lucy’s presence that he resented? She felt coldness at her nape, but made a determined effort to enjoy the conversation, though she could manage no more than a tiny sandwich and a dish of tea.
* * *
After tea the gentlemen went upstairs to see about Daventry’s room and Jenny sent for the carriage. She accompanied Lucy to the door and kissed her.
‘I think Paul upset you,’ she said. ‘Please do not be hurt, Lucy. He is not as he used to be... There is a reserve about him these days, almost as if he distances himself from everyone. He has been pleasant to me, but I have felt that if it were not for his father’s need, he would wish me elsewhere.’
‘Surely he must be grateful for your care of Lord Ravenscar.’
‘He is grateful...but he was so much more to Adam before Mark’s death. They were close friends. Even with
