Lady Knightley's Secret. Anne Ashley

look, rarely glimpsed in her, suddenly took possession of Elizabeth’s fine features. ‘One viper in a family is more than enough. But if she is foolish enough to cross swords with me again, then she might be surprised at the venom I possess. My grandmother taught me well. I’m more than a match, now, for my beloved sister.’

      Although Agatha said nothing further while she helped her mistress change her attire, she was still experiencing a deal of concern; but she was, as she had been told, fretting quite needlessly. When Elizabeth left the bedchamber and descended the ornately carved staircase she was complete mistress of herself.

      In point of fact, her self-confidence had reached a new high. She had, after all, coped superbly with Richard’s unexpected and rather unnerving presence in this house, not once betraying her true feelings for him. But it wouldn’t do at all to become overconfident, she reminded herself, recalling vividly that moment earlier when he had dared to presume that he could dictate how she should go on. Such impudence! She had come perilously close to losing her temper, but that, she knew, would have been a grave mistake. If she allowed anger to surface, what other emotions might she foolishly betray to the man whom she had adored since her girlhood?

      A young footman opened the salon door for her and she couldn’t prevent a smile at the anxious glance the Viscountess shot in her husband’s direction before he rose to his feet. Richard rose also, and she thought she could detect a flicker of unease in his eyes before she transferred her gaze to the elegantly attired woman seated beside a total stranger on the couch.

      If Lady Chiltham was experiencing shock over her sister’s drastically altered appearance she certainly betrayed no sign of it as she went rushing forward to embrace her warmly. Elizabeth, however, was far too experienced in the ways of her elder sister to be fooled by the false display of affection and, refusing to return the embrace, merely said, ‘You are looking well, Evadne. Marriage and motherhood evidently agree with you.’ The large cornflower-blue eyes were as brightly sparkling as she remembered, but her sister was betraying clear signs that she was rapidly approaching her thirtieth year. Tiny lines were beginning to mar what had once been a flawless complexion, and there was a definite hard, pinched look about the mouth that had once been so softly inviting to members of the opposite sex. ‘I trust your husband and children are keeping well?’

      ‘Clara and little Edwin go on very nicely, unlike their poor papa who does tend to suffer from the gout from time to time.’

      An image of the obese Baron when last she had seen him sprang before Elizabeth’s mind’s eye. He was not renowned for depriving himself of his creature comforts and she wouldn’t be in the least surprised to discover that his girth had increased over the years.

      ‘Do the children resemble their father, Evadne?’

      ‘Edwin does, certainly, but most say that Clara is the image of her mama.’ Lady Chiltham then prudently changed the subject, before her sister could remark on the fact that she had never set eyes on either her niece or nephew, by introducing her to Mrs Westbridge who was at present staying with them and who, it transpired, was Sir Richard’s nearest neighbour.

      ‘Before you entered I was on the point of inviting Sir Richard to dine with us on Friday, and sincerely trust that you will accompany him.’

      ‘I shall be honoured to act as your sister’s escort, Lady Chiltham,’ Richard responded, thereby offering Elizabeth no opportunity to accept or otherwise.

      Evadne appeared genuinely pleased and smiled delightedly as she transferred her gaze to the occupants of the red upholstered couch on the opposite side of the room. ‘I fully understand why your ladyship is disinclined to accept invitations at the present time,’ she remarked, ‘so shall not press you, ma’am. I’m certain, though, that you’d have no objection to my depriving you of my charming sister’s company for just one evening.’

      ‘Of course not,’ Verity responded, having little choice, and could only hope that Elizabeth wasn’t too disturbed at the prospect of dining at the Chilthams’ home, but gained some comfort from the knowledge that Richard would be there too.

      Conversation then became general, but Lady Chiltham, never having failed to adhere to the strict rules governing polite behaviour, rose to her feet a few minutes later as the socially acceptable time allotted for paying morning visits drew to a close. ‘Would you be kind enough to escort me out to my carriage, Elizabeth?’

      A wickedly mischievous look added an extra sparkle to a pair of grey-green eyes. ‘Believe me, Evadne, nothing could afford me greater pleasure!’

      The double entendre might have escaped Lady Chiltham, but Richard was very well aware of precisely what the younger sister had meant and cast a frowning glance at her slender retreating back as the three ladies left the room.

      ‘Phew!’ The Viscount put his fingers to his neckcloth as though it had suddenly grown uncomfortably tight. ‘Well, that went rather better than we had dared to hope.’

      Verity smiled. ‘I must confess I was on tenterhooks, but I should have realised that Elizabeth would rise to the occasion.’

      ‘You’ll forgive me for saying so,’ Richard remarked, delving into his pocket to draw out his snuffbox, ‘but aren’t you making rather too much of it? I understand the coolness between the sisters is of several years’ standing, but I’m certain that, now they have been reunited, the breach will soon be healed. Lady Chiltham, at least, seems eager to make up their differences.’

      Verity regarded him in open-mouthed astonishment for a moment. ‘It’s quite obvious to me, sir, that you know nothing about the matter. Elizabeth warned me before we even moved down here that her sister possessed two faces—one she keeps for public show, and a very different one for private. And Elizabeth doesn’t lie.’

      ‘I’m not so certain of that,’ her husband responded unexpectedly, and she looked up at him sharply.

      ‘What on earth do you mean, Brin?’

      ‘It was something she said to me earlier,’ he explained, looking decidedly puzzled. ‘I recall clearly your telling me that Elizabeth’s only reason for going to Brussels last year was to take care of her grandmother who was concerned for the welfare of her godson. Thankfully, he was amongst the lucky ones and came through the battle unscathed. We also both know for a fact that Elizabeth remained in Brussels for far longer than had been originally planned in order to nurse several wounded British soldiers. She mentioned that in the letter she wrote to you from Brussels last summer, remember? So why, when I brought the subject up, did she try to give the impression that it had been quite otherwise—that she had fled the capital shortly after the battle had begun?’

      Richard transferred his gaze from the Viscount’s rather puzzled expression to study the delicately painted box in his hand. Yes, he silently agreed, that was most odd. Perhaps, though, she was by nature very modest and didn’t want her highly commendable acts of kindness to become generally known. Or, maybe, there was some other reason? She must have realised, surely, that Brin knew the truth already? So there could have been only one other whom she had been trying to mislead. His eyes narrowed. How very intriguing!

      Before returning to his estates in Hampshire, he decided, clamping his jaws together in hard determination, he intended to get to know the delightful Miss Beresford a good deal better!