the contempt in which he is held…’
‘Only by some. And it is not so much contempt as ridicule. He is so very, very fat.’
‘I saw the Queen yesterday as I was leaving my lodgings in Mount Street. There we saw so many people crowding round and cheering her, I was unable to make a way through them until she had entered her carriage and been driven away.’
‘I believe it happens every time she stirs outside. If it were not for Stepmama being here and needing my company, I should return to our country estate in Derbyshire.’
‘I do hope you will not. I have been looking forward to furthering our acquaintance.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, but you must know that already.’ He paused, then went on, apparently plucking up his courage. ‘Having but lately arrived, I have not yet acquired a carriage, or I would have begged the favour of being allowed to drive you out.’
She laughed suddenly. ‘What, at seven in the morning?’
‘No, not at all, that would be highly improper and if I did not know you are incapable of the slightest unkindness, I might be tempted to believe you were making a May game of me…’
‘Oh, no, my lord, I beg your pardon—I am so used to roasting James. It was very unkind of me. Please forgive me.’
‘Of course. How could I refuse?’ He smiled. If James had been there he would have described it as a smile of triumph, but Lavinia took it at face value. ‘I had in mind a gentle hack along Rotten Row, at a suitably respectable hour,’ he went on. ‘Shall we say, half past ten, tomorrow morning?’
‘Are you always so careful of protocol, my lord?’
‘I am a stranger in your midst, my lady, I cannot flout convention until I am established and then I would do so with the greatest care not to upset those whose regard I value.’
She was reminded of his comment when meeting her driving James’s phaeton, that their secret was safe with him, and wondered if he was referring to that. ‘My lord, if you are implying that I should not have accompanied Lord Corringham in his phaeton—’
‘No, indeed not, my lady. You have explained he is regarded as your brother and none but the worst gabble grinder would infer anything else. I simply meant I wished to be correct.’
‘In that case, you will want to ask the Duchess for her permission to take me riding. It is no good speaking to Papa, he is never at home these days.’
‘Naturally, I will, as soon as you give me leave.’
‘You have it. I shall be delighted to ride with you.’
He hurried off to importune Frances, leaving Lavinia, smiling to herself at his seriousness.
‘Lady Lavinia, your obedient.’
Lavinia turned to find Benedict Willoughby at her elbow. She did not like the young man, who had tried forcing his attentions on her years before. She had been saved by Frances and James, but not before she had slapped his face and his cheek had been cut by her ring, an injury that kept him indoors for a week. He had only been seventeen at the time and trying his wings, but she was sure he had not forgotten it any more than she had, even though he had apologised and she had forgiven him for Duncan’s sake.
‘Mr Willoughby.’
‘I came to ask if I might take a part in your play. Duncan says it is going to be great fun and, if he is much occupied with rehearsals, I shall see nothing of him all Season.’
‘Yes, I can quite imagine you would expect to find some fun in it and possibly at my expense.’
‘Oh, my lady, you wrong me. I have wanted to do something of the sort for an age.’
‘Oh, Vinny, let the young shaver have a part.’ James had strolled over to join them and heard the young man’s request. ‘You cannot afford to be particular, you know.’
‘James, I did not expect to see you here.’
‘Must I always give notice of where I intend to be, so that I may always be expected?’
‘No, don’t be silly.’
He looked from her to Benedict, who was still waiting for his answer, then back to her. Whether it was the warmth of the room or the glass of wine she had consumed or simply that he had flustered her, he did not know, but she had a delightfully heightened colour and her green eyes sparkled with vivacity. Her gown of cream Michelin lace over a matching silk slip followed the lines of her figure so that he was hard put not to stare. ‘Well, are you going to keep him in suspense all night?’
‘Oh, very well,’ she said. ‘You can be Bottom, Mr Willoughby.’
‘Bottom!’ Benedict exclaimed. ‘Isn’t he the one who wears an ass’s head?’
‘Yes, but it is a good part and you will have Titania fall in love with you.’
‘Who will be Titania?’
‘I don’t know yet.’ She smiled suddenly. ‘I will find someone young and pretty for you. So, will you do it?’
‘Very well,’ he said, bowing and leaving them.
‘Vinny, you vixen,’ James said. ‘You enjoyed tormenting him, didn’t you?’
‘No, I am completely indifferent to him. But you were right, I cannot afford to turn anyone away. You are not going to let me down, are you?’
‘Vinny, you know I would never do that…’ He paused, watching Lord Wincote threading his way through the throng towards them. ‘And I sincerely hope others will not either.’
She noticed the direction of his gaze. ‘Surely you do not mean Lord Wincote?’
‘I meant no one in particular, but if by chance he should do anything to upset you, he will have me to contend with.’
‘Why should he upset me?’
He did not have time to answer before the gentleman in question arrived before them. Wincote was smiling broadly. ‘My lady, her Grace has been so kind as to say yes, providing you are properly chaperoned, of course.’
‘Yes, to what?’ James demanded.
Lavinia turned and looked at him in surprise. His question was so abrupt and really it was no business of his. ‘Since you ask,’ she said levelly. ‘I have arranged to ride in the park with Lord Wincote. Now, if you will excuse us, I am going to introduce his lordship to some more of the company. I see Lord Haverley and Mr Drew over there. Perhaps they can be persuaded to join our little production.’ And with that, she laid a hand upon Edmund’s sleeve and went off with him.
James cursed himself for not watching his tongue; now she was taking a perverse delight in being extra-agreeable to Wincote and that young man was lapping up all the attention. He stood and watched them for a few moments. Wincote was handsome and well dressed, as Lavinia had pointed out to him, and his manners were exquisite. If he had been paying his addresses to Constance Graham or any of the other young ladies, he would have said good luck to him. But Lavinia—no. And was that fair? Lavinia’s happiness was all that should matter.
James did not like where his thoughts were taking him and, pushing them from his mind, walked over to talk to his stepmother. ‘They make a handsome couple, do they not?’ he said, endeavouring to keep his voice neutral.
‘Yes, but I am a little uneasy. What do you know of him, James?’
‘Nothing at all. After his brother, Henry, introduced us at college, I never saw him again until yesterday. I really cannot vouch for him.’
‘Could he be a fortune-hunter? The Duke is so busy nowadays, I do not like to worry him, but it means I must be extra-vigilant on his behalf…’
‘Would you like me to make some enquiries?’