Harriett’s knowing glance brought the colour flooding back to Mary’s cheeks.
She is teasing. She cannot know anything.
‘Quite unnecessary,’ Lord Randall responded coolly and Mary felt a sudden urge to laugh. His tone held the merest hint of disapproval for his sister’s levity, as if he was affronted she should even consider he might be dallying in the gardens. ‘We stopped to admire the rhododendron ponticum on the west terrace.’
‘Yes, yes, it has taken very well, has it not? I sent to Hackney for it, to Mr Loddiges’s nursery.’ Mr Graveney chattered on, delighted to discover the earl shared his interest in horticulture.
Mary took her seat beside Harriett, relieved that the conversation had moved on, although her mind was still too disordered for her to take part. She almost jumped when Harriett reached out and took her hand.
‘It has been so good to see you again, Mary, are you sure it is necessary for you to leave on Saturday?’
‘Imperative, I assure you,’ she responded. ‘My assistants at the school are very good, but they write to tell me there is a great deal of activity in Brussels—’
Lord Randall cut in. ‘I did not know your school was in Brussels.’
She managed to look him in the eye, albeit briefly.
‘Because I did not mention it, my lord.’
‘No.’ The earl turned a frowning look upon his sister. ‘Odd that Harriett should not mention it, either.’
‘Oh, well, it slipped my mind, Brother, but it is a most fortuitous circumstance for you, Mary.’
Mary shook her head. ‘I do not see...’
‘While you were in the gardens we came up with the most perfect plan.’ Harriett continued as if she had not spoken. ‘Mrs Bentinck and I agreed that we should feel so much happier to know you were not making that long journey alone, Mary. So Randall shall escort you!’
‘No!’
‘Impossible!’ Randall’s curt exclamation was as instant as Mary’s faint denial. He glowered at his sister. ‘Impossible,’ he said again. ‘I depart on Friday and will be travelling in haste.’
‘No, how can that be so when you have two carriages with you?’
‘But I shall be riding.’
‘I am sure Mary will not object to being alone in your carriage.’
‘But I do object,’ put in Mary, her colour considerably heightened. ‘I could not possibly impose upon Lord Randall.’
‘Now it is not like you to be missish for the sake of it,’ said Mr Bentinck. ‘What could be better than to have his lordship escort you to Brussels? It means you will have to leave a day earlier, of course, but Mrs Graveney has already told us that the earl has his own private yacht at Folkestone. So much more comfortable than taking the packet from Dover, what?’
‘I do not want to give up my last day with you,’ replied Mary firmly.
Randall glared at his sister, willing her not to continue with this farce. She ignored him.
‘That will be a wrench, of course, Mary, but I am sure Mr and Mrs Bentinck would be much happier to know you have an escort.’
‘I do not need an escort, Harriett, I am an independent woman.’
‘Of course you are, but you are also a sensible one, and with Wellington gathering so many troops together you may find it difficult to get a passage from Dover, not to mention the trouble you might experience once you reach the Continent. And it is not as if Randall does not have room for you,’ Harriett continued, breaching her brother’s next line of defence. ‘I saw the two carriages when they arrived; there is plenty of space for you and your baggage. Well, Justin, what do you say?’
Randall surveyed the assembled company. What could he say? To refuse Mary his escort would be extremely uncivil and against his own code of honour. That she was equally unhappy with the situation was evident. He managed a stiff bow.
‘If Miss Endacott would accept a place in my carriage, I would be only too delighted to escort her to Brussels.’
* * *
Mary cast a fulminating glance at the earl. She had been hoping he would provide some incontestable excuse why he could not take her up. If she was to refuse his offer now her cousin would be sure to ask why, and Harriett, too, would not rest until she had uncovered the true reason.
Mr Graveney broke the tense silence with a little laugh.
‘Poor Miss Endacott. It goes against the grain, I am sure, to be beholden to any man, does it not? And an earl, at that. I am sure you would much rather make your own way to Brussels.’
‘I would indeed.’
‘But my wife is quite right, my dear. With the current unrest in Europe you would be much safer travelling under escort and there could be none better than Lord Randall. We would all of us sleep easier in our beds to know you were with him.’
‘It is best to give in,’ said Harriett cheerfully. ‘Remember the Laytmor motto, Mary, semper laurifer. We always succeed. You cannot hold out against us.’
Mary bit her lip. Did she have any choice?
‘Miss Endacott,’ Lord Randall addressed her. ‘I appreciate that we have not long been acquainted and I am aware that our opinions are very different. However, they are right. There is danger for any young lady travelling alone. If you would honour me with your company for this journey, you will be treated with every respect and courtesy. You have my word on that.’
Mary knew he was referring to what had occurred in the gardens, he was telling her she could trust him. There was sincerity in his eyes, but more than that, there was understanding in their blue depths. She nodded.
‘Then I accept your offer, my lord. Thank you.’
A sudden murmur went about the room, as if everyone had been holding their breath waiting for her answer. Harriett clapped her hands.
‘Then it is settled. Randall shall take you with him, Mary. He travels with quite an entourage, you know—two carriages, his valet and groom—I am sure that it will be the most enjoyable journey you have ever undertaken.’
* * *
Harriett’s words came back to Mary as she stepped into Lord Randall’s elegant travelling chaise early on Friday morning. The carriage was well sprung, the seat and backrest thickly padded: physically she was assured of every comfort, she had no doubt, but after what had occurred, how could she be in the earl’s company without feeling some constraint? Her only consolation was that Lord Randall was riding, so she was relieved the necessity of conversing with him.
They set off at a frantic pace, the stops were short with barely time for Mary to drink the proffered coffee and nibble at a biscuit, but when the earl politely asked her if she would like more time she declined.
‘I was warned you travel at breakneck speed, my lord,’ she said as he accompanied her back to the carriage. ‘I am prepared for a little discomfort.’
‘I need to join my men as soon as possible. I have stayed too long in England.’
His cold tone vexed her and she retorted sharply, ‘Then pray, sir, do not mind me. I shall not hold you up.’
‘No, I do not intend that you shall.’
‘I expect no quarter from you,’ she told him bitterly.
‘Then you will not be disappointed.’
Biting her lip, Mary climbed into the carriage