Читать книгу Improper Miss Darling - Gail Whitiker, Gail Whitiker - Страница 9

Not surprisingly, a great deal of speculation followed the dinner at Ellingsworth Hall. Linette suffered alternating bouts of exhilaration and despair over what Lady Widdicombe’s and Lord Stewart’s feelings about her might have been, for while she was encouraged by her performance on the piano, she was equally convinced that her conversation at dinner had fallen far short of what was expected and that their impressions of her had been tainted as a result.

Naturally, Aunt Dorothy was of the opinion that Linette had done splendidly and that, in her estimation, the evening had been an unmitigated success. She declared the countess to be far more gracious than expected, that Lord Stewart was an elegant and handsome gentleman, and that Mr Taylor was exactly the type of man one might wish to have as a son-in-law.

Mr Darling was more reserved in his comments. Though he didn’t say as much, Emma knew he believed that the real test of Linette’s suitability would come during the weekend house party when many of Mr Taylor’s friends and family would be in attendance and far more judgmental eyes would be focused on Linette than had been thus far.

In that, Emma tended to agree. Though Lady Widdicombe had been intimidating at the onset, by the end of the evening she had mellowed enough to give Linette a nod of approval and to tell her that she had played the pianoforte very nicely. Society, however, would take a far more critical view of the engagement and Emma felt sure there would be people at the ball who would be of the opinion that Mr Taylor could have done better. She feared a combination of ill will and jealousy would come together in the form of spiteful remarks that were neither fair nor warranted being directed towards Linette.

All of that she kept to herself, of course. Linette was anxious enough about the upcoming ball; there was no point in making matters worse by pointing out things that might happen. Besides, Emma had concerns enough of her own—not the least of which was the fact that the upcoming house party would again place her in the company of Lord Stewart.

She wished she could have said the thought didn’t bother her, but she knew it for the half-truth that it was. The man unsettled her, arousing emotions and feelings she was not at all comfortable with. Several times throughout the dinner, she had felt his eyes on her and had looked up to find him watching her, as though hoping to find something lacking in her make-up.

It must have been that because she refused to believe it had anything to do with his interest in her as a woman. Not when he was all but engaged to a lady whose blood was as blue as his. But was he wondering, perhaps, if she thought to gain notoriety from her sister’s success? To use Linette’s connection to Peter as a way to move into better society herself?

The unpleasant speculation no doubt accounted for the terseness of her reply when Linette chanced to ask her about the gentleman as they strolled through the garden a few days later. ‘What did I think of Lord Stewart?’ Emma said. ‘Why would you ask?’

‘No particular reason.’ Linette bent down to lift a slow-moving caterpillar off the path and settled him gently in the grass. ‘I simply noticed him watching you throughout the evening and wondered what your opinions of him were.’

Emma took a deep breath. So Linette had noticed it too. ‘I thought him … pleasant.’

‘Nothing more?’

‘What else would you have me say?’

‘That he was exactly what he seemed. Handsome, charming and highly intimidating.’

‘You found him intimidating?’

‘Never tell me you did not?’

‘I thought him serious, but hardly intimidating.’ Emma drew her shawl more closely about her shoulders. ‘But he is very different from his brother. Your Mr Taylor is certainly the more light-hearted of the two.’

‘Yes, thank goodness. And now that you have spent an evening with him, do you not agree that he is wonderful, Emma?’ Linette said, her face alight with love and happiness. ‘I am convinced I am marrying the perfect man.’

Equally convinced there was no such thing, Emma said, ‘I think the two of you will be very happy together.’

After a pause, Linette said, ‘I wonder what Lady Glynnis will be like.’

‘Lady Glynnis?’

‘The young woman Lord Stewart is going to marry. Don’t you remember? The countess seemed very pleased about the match.’

‘I expect she would, given Lady Glynnis’s position in society,’ Emma said. ‘As Lord Widdicombe’s heir, it is Lord Stewart’s duty to marry well.’

‘It sounds as though she is very accomplished on the pianoforte.’

‘I suspect the lady is accomplished in all areas of feminine endeavour. He would not have chosen her otherwise.’

‘Do you think he loves her?’ Linette asked.

Emma laughed. ‘Good Lord, Linette, how am I to know that?’

‘Well, did he strike you as the type of man who would marry for love?’

‘I’ve no idea. I spoke to him briefly and in no great depth. You were there the entire time.’

‘I know, but you are so much more perceptive about people than I. You see things I do not.’

‘That is not always a good thing.’

‘Well, perhaps we will know when we see the two of them together.’ Linette fell into step beside her. ‘You can always tell when two people are in love.’

‘Oh yes?’ Emma said, chuckling. ‘And how do you do that?’

‘The lady blushes and the man looks as though his heart is lost to all but her. They stand close together, even when there is no reason to do so, and they frequently exchange glances. Especially when they think no one is watching.’

‘Gudgeon. You are making all of this up.’

‘No, it’s true!’ Linette said with feeling. ‘I saw Penelope Faith and Sir Wensley Cottonwood acting like that at the Parthingers’ ball and they were betrothed the following week!’

‘I cannot imagine Lord Stewart looking at any lady with stars in his eyes,’ Emma said. ‘He doesn’t strike me as the type. Mr Taylor looks at you that way, but his temperament is vastly different from his brother’s.’

‘Yes, thank goodness. I think I am a little frightened of Lord Stewart, for all his being so handsome and charming,’ Linette admitted. ‘Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see him with Lady Glynnis on Friday evening. After all, if she is to be my sister-in-law, I do want her to like me.’

Impulsively, Emma stopped and hugged her sister close. ‘No one can help but like you, dearest. You are the sweetest, gentlest, most kind-hearted person I know. If Lady Glynnis does not like you, we shall simply not like her.’

‘That will not make for very pleasant family gatherings,’ Linette said unhappily.

‘I shouldn’t worry about it.’ Emma slipped her arm through her sister’s. ‘I doubt Lord Stewart is all that fond of country living. Once he and Lady Glynnis are married, we likely won’t see either of them around Little Moreton for quite some time.’

Emma was seated at the far end of the garden when she noticed the horse and rider approaching from the direction of Ellingsworth Hall later that same day. The horse did not look to be of local stock. Big boned and with long, delicate legs and a proud arch to its neck, it was clearly a thoroughbred and therefore well beyond the reach of most of the young men who resided in Little Moreton.

As to the rider, Emma suspected it was Peter Taylor come to pay a call on her sister. Linette had informed her that he often stopped by for afternoon visits now they were officially betrothed, and, unconcerned, Emma went back to her painting. The sun was creating a fascinating interplay of light and shadow on the lily pond, and the ever-shifting patterns of blue and green were far more interesting to her than the gentleman coming to call. And when a dragonfly landed on the edge of a lily pad, the insect’s huge silver wings shimmering in the sunlight, Emma caught her breath.

How did one capture something so magical? What colours did one use to replicate the translucence of its wings and the iridescent shading of its body? She thought about that for a while, mixing colours in her mind, and reached down for her palette—only to see a pair of dark-brown boots standing in the grass a few feet away.

‘Good afternoon, Miss Darling.’

Emma knew the voice. Having heard it at dinner, she would have recognised it anywhere. But it was the last one she had been expecting to hear in her garden today. ‘Good afternoon, Lord Stewart.’ She raised her head and peered at him from beneath the brim of her bonnet. ‘If you are looking for my father, you will find him in the house, most likely in his study.’

‘Thank you, but it was you I came to see.’

‘Oh?’

‘I wondered if we might have a chat. If you do not mind me singling you out.’

‘That would depend on what you were singling me out for.’

‘I wish to talk to you about a matter of considerable importance.’

‘Oh dear, that does sound alarming.’ Emma put down her brush. ‘Pray, forgive my attire. I was not expecting visitors.’

‘No apologies are necessary. You look charming.’

Emma was too much of a lady to roll her eyes, but she was sorely tempted to do so given how easily the lies fell from his tongue. She was wearing a wide-brimmed sunhat with ribbons tied loosely beneath her chin, a painter’s smock liberally smudged with paint, and though her hair was pinned up, she could feel the breeze tugging at loose wisps. Charming was decidedly not how she would have described her appearance. Still, he hadn’t come with a view to courting her.

‘Very well, Lord Stewart, you have my undivided attention. What is this important matter you wish to talk to me about?’

‘Your sister, my brother and the unfortunate inequity of the match.’

Emma’s eyes widened in shock. Mercy! The man certainly didn’t beat around the bush. ‘You will forgive me if I say I am somewhat taken aback by the remark, my lord.’

‘I would have been more surprised had you said you were expecting it,’ Lord Stewart acknowledged. ‘But it is a subject I believe warrants further discussion.’

‘I fail to see why. The inequity of the match obviously wasn’t of concern to your brother when he asked Linette to marry him.’

‘Of course not. My brother is romantic by nature and more impulsive than is wise.’

‘Attributes shared by my sister, I’m afraid.’ Emma looked up, shading her eyes with her hand. ‘But what’s done is done, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘Forgive me,’ he said, belatedly aware that his position was causing her to stare directly into the sun. ‘Perhaps we could take a walk?’

‘As you like.’ Emma put her brushes into a pot of water, then stood up and removed her smock. ‘You do not tether your horse?’ she asked, looking past him to the elegant thoroughbred grazing freely beyond.

‘There is no need. He never wanders.’ Lord Stewart stared at the easel for a moment. ‘Impressive. You have a knack for blending colours so that they seem to melt into one another.’

‘It is an attribute of watercolours. If a line is drawn too harshly, you simply brush a wash over it and the line softens. It is a very forgiving medium.’

‘Only to those who know how to use it.’ Lord Stewart smiled. ‘You obviously do.’

It was a new and unusual experience to be complimented by a gentleman. Emma was used to most of the flattery going to Linette, but she had to admit to a warm glow of pleasure at hearing Lord Stewart praise her work. ‘Thank you, but I am an amateur at best. My brother is the true artist in the family.’ She fell into step beside him. ‘So, you wish to talk about the unsuitability of the match between Linette and your brother.’

‘Please don’t misunderstand, Miss Darling,’ he said quickly. ‘Your sister is a lovely young woman with pleasing manners and a charming personality. But you cannot deny the disparity in their social situations.’

‘Of course not, but your brother obviously doesn’t care and given that your parents have not forbidden the match, I don’t see what business it is of ours.’

He stopped, frowning. ‘May I speak honestly, Miss Darling?’

‘I wish you would.’

‘Then I will tell you that my parents are not pleased with the engagement and that they would very much like to see it come to an end,’ he said bluntly. ‘Particularly my father.’

Emma turned to look at him. ‘Is that why he was not at dinner the other night?’

‘No. His doctor has restricted him to bed, but I am not entirely sure he would have come had he been feeling well enough to do so. He has very strong opinions about the obligations owed to one’s family.’

Emma wished she could have said she was surprised, but how could she when Lord Stewart was echoing her own concerns about the inequality of the match? ‘Why did your father not voice his concerns when your brother first made him aware of his intentions to approach my sister?’

‘Because Peter didn’t tell him of his intentions until it was too late,’ Lord Stewart admitted. ‘Now, relations between them are strained to the point where it is difficult for either of them to speak about the situation with any degree of rationality.’

‘I am sorry to hear that,’ Emma said slowly. ‘Does the countess also object to the marriage?’

A pained expression flashed across Lord Stewart’s face. ‘That is not as simple a question to answer. My brother holds … a very special place in my mother’s heart. Above all, she wants him to be happy.’

Emma supposed it was not an uncommon failing of mothers, to wish their children well, but it was obviously a feeling not shared by her husband. And their antipathy towards the marriage at so early a stage did not bode well for Linette’s future relationship with her in-laws. ‘What did you hope to achieve by mentioning this to me, Lord Stewart?’

‘Before I answer that, I would ask you a question.’ He stopped by the base of a large tree and crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Is your sister marrying my brother for love or for what she stands to gain by becoming his wife?’

It was only because the nature of the question caught her so completely off guard that Emma did not immediately take offence to what was a highly impertinent enquiry. ‘Of course she loves him. Linette is not in the least mercenary. She would never marry if her heart was not fully engaged. You cannot be expected to know this, of course, but she has spoken of nothing but your brother since the day the two of them met.’

‘I feared as much,’ he said. ‘Love is always harder to discourage than gain.’

‘But surely it is not your place to discourage the relationship,’ Emma said. ‘If they are truly in love—’

‘Oh, I believe they both think themselves in love, Miss Darling, but will it last? You strike me as being a sensible young woman, one who knows what the world is all about. And it is not about kindness and love. It is about establishing one’s place through the acquisition of power and wealth. Love plays very little part in that.’

Emma said nothing, not at all sure she liked being coupled with this man when it came to their feelings about matters of the heart. She might not dream about finding romantic love for herself, but that did not mean she belittled it when it came to others.

‘Does that also apply to your forthcoming engagement to Lady Glynnis?’ she asked boldly. ‘Is that union also based on the premise of what each of you stands to gain, with no consideration for love or other feelings?’

He raised one dark eyebrow. ‘I did not come here to discuss my relationship, Miss Darling.’

‘No, but in being so cavalier about my sister’s, it seems only fair that I should ask you about the basis for yours. I may be sensible, my lord, but if I were ever to marry, I would hope to do so for love rather than gain.’

‘Very well. My betrothal to Lady Glynnis was arranged by our parents and accepted by the lady and myself as being eminently sensible. Our interests are similar, our natures compatible and our desires and goals identical. And we happen to like and respect one another.’

‘So, all in all, a very convenient partnership,’ Emma said.

‘You could say that.’

‘Do you love her?’

He clearly wasn’t expecting the question and Emma knew from the look on his face that he wasn’t pleased about being asked. ‘You don’t believe in mincing words.’

‘Not when the issue concerns me as deeply as this one. Do you love the lady you are planning to marry, Lord Stewart?’

He took his time, suddenly more interested in the antics of a robin pulling a worm from the grass than he was in giving her an answer. Finally, ‘If being comfortable with a lady and enjoying time spent in her company is an indication of love, then, yes, I suppose I do.’

‘My, how passionately you speak.’

‘Would you have me quote sonnets?’ he retorted sarcastically. ‘Proclaim my undying love in the manner of poets and kings?’

‘I would have you speak of nothing you did not feel,’ Emma said. ‘But neither will I listen to you condemn two people who so obviously are in love simply because you put no stock in the emotion. Your brother has proposed to my sister and been accepted. Were he to break it off now, he would suffer the consequences of his actions and she would be left heartbroken.’

‘Perhaps, but if your sister were to cry off, she would be thought flighty, but not socially irresponsible,’ he countered. ‘Indeed, proceeding with this marriage would be the more socially irresponsible of the two options.’

To a degree, he was correct, but Emma had no intention of letting him think she agreed with him on this or any other front. Or of letting the remark go unchallenged. ‘Why do you dislike Linette so much, my lord? Apart from having spent a few hours in her company, you know absolutely nothing about her.’

‘Whether I like her or not has nothing to do with it. My brother’s birth is such that he should have done better.’

‘Then your parents should have stopped him from proposing to her!’

‘And I’ve already told you they had no idea he intended to do so. And even if they had, it would not have made any difference.’ He turned away so she might not see his face. ‘My mother can deny him nothing. Even when she should.’

They were past the point of polite discussion now. They were arguing—and as someone who disliked conflict intensely, Emma knew they would achieve nothing by it. ‘Lord Stewart, you are the heir to your father’s title and estates. As long as you marry well, what does it matter how your brother settles his affairs?’

‘It matters a great deal. I do not wish to see Peter take stock of his life in ten years’ time and come to regret what he did in a youthful burst of passion. I would rather see him suffer now than in the future.’

‘Suffer? You think your brother will suffer from being married to Linette?’

‘That’s not what I said—’

‘But it is what you meant.’ Dear Lord, the arrogance of the man! Did he really expect her to ask Linette to reconsider her acceptance of Mr Taylor’s offer? To throw over the man she loved for the sake of … what? Lord Stewart’s misplaced notion that his brother might be happier for it in the long run? ‘Lord Stewart, I … appreciate the concern you must feel for your brother, but you must also understand that the concern I feel for my sister is equally great,’ Emma said, forcing herself to speak in a calm and rational manner. ‘I believe her to be deeply in love with Mr Taylor and I could not counsel her against marrying him when I know how unhappy it would make her.’

‘Then you will not encourage her to think on it again.’

‘I will not.’

‘You could be sparing them both a great deal of heartache and embarrassment.’

‘Apart from the fact of Linette’s birth not being as lofty as you might like, she will not embarrass you or your family. She is good and loving and I know she will make your brother an excellent wife. I cannot do what you ask, my lord, nor am I sure your brother would thank me for doing so,’ Emma said quietly. ‘You saw how they looked at one another the other night. You heard how he spoke to her.’

‘Lies can be convincingly enacted, Miss Darling. So much so that, sometimes, we only see and hear what we wish to.’

Emma’s mouth hardened. ‘I like to think I see what’s there, my lord.’ How dare he suggest that Linette would lie about her feelings! Linette, who was no more capable of deceit than a child. ‘Now if you don’t mind—’

‘Excuse me, Miss Darling?’

A man’s voice interrupted, one Emma did not recognise. Until she looked up and saw the newly appointed vicar of the church in Little Moreton approaching. ‘Mr Tufton?’

John Tufton was a handsome young man with a shock of light brown hair and warm brown eyes. He had come from a parish in Sussex to take over St David’s and was at least thirty years younger than his predecessor—a fact that had not gone unnoticed by the single ladies in Little Moreton. ‘Good afternoon.’ His smile was somewhat hesitant as he glanced from Emma to her companion. ‘I hope I haven’t come at a bad time?’

Aware that he couldn’t have come at a better one, Emma said, ‘Not at all, Mr Tufton. Lord Stewart was just leaving.’

‘Lord Stewart?’ The vicar’s eyes widened. ‘I was not aware you resided in the parish, my lord.’

‘I do not.’ Lord Stewart’s voice was less than conciliatory. ‘I am here visiting my brother.’

‘Ah, yes, Mr Taylor. A most excellent gentleman. I made his acquaintance last week. I, myself, am newly arrived in Little Moreton and so am calling upon all of my parishioners in an attempt to get to know them better,’ Mr Tufton said. ‘There is generally so little time after Sunday service.’

‘Of course.’ Lord Stewart’s mouth lifted in a sardonic smile. ‘Everyone rushing home to enjoy their dinners.’ He turned to Emma, his expression growing even more cynical. ‘Well, I shall take up no more of your time, Miss Darling. But I hope we may continue our conversation in the near future.’

‘Only if the subject differs from what we spoke of today, Lord Stewart. Mr Tufton,’ Emma said, turning to smile at the parson. ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to make your way to the house. I know my father and my aunt will be pleased to see you. I shall collect my things and join you there.’

‘Excellent. And I do hope we will see you and your family at church on Sunday, Lord Stewart?’

‘I really couldn’t say.’ Lord Stewart’s eyes briefly connected with Emma’s. ‘There are so many other things of importance to concern oneself with when in the country.’

With a brief nod, he whistled for his horse. Emma didn’t say a word as the elegant creature trotted obediently to his side. It made no sense that she should be annoyed that even the horse seemed to fall under his spell. Instead, she turned her back on him and walked purposefully towards her easel, heavy in heart and low in spirit.

Poor Linette. What would she say if she knew what her future brother-in-law was saying about her? Linette had gone to Ellingsworth Hall in fear of Mr Taylor’s parents, yet now it seemed it was his brother who offered the biggest threat to her happiness. He did not want the marriage to take place. And where his father did not have the courage to show his displeasure and his mother hadn’t the heart to, it seemed Lord Stewart had more than enough of both. He intended to march in and destroy his brother’s and her sister’s chances at happiness by spouting duty and obligation and all the other things that obviously mattered to him far more than love.

It was just as well the vicar’s arrival had put an end to her artistic endeavours, Emma thought moodily. Her creative urges had vanished, leaving her no more able to see the beauty in the lily pond than she could in a warty frog. She was angry and upset, yet she knew that directing her anger at Lord Stewart really made very little sense. Had she not questioned the inequity of the match herself? Was she not the one who had expressed concern over Linette’s ability to take responsibility for her decisions? The one who had told her father that Linette was changeable by nature?

Why, then, was she angry at Lord Stewart for having said exactly the same things?

Mr Tufton did not stay long. A quiet gentleman with agreeable manners, he was careful not to wear out his welcome. After enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake, he spoke to Emma’s father and Aunt Dorothy, saying how pleased he was to meet them and how much he looked forward to seeing them on Sunday. Then, after exchanging a few words with Linette and offering congratulations on her betrothal, he left.

Emma was not sorry to see him go. Not because she disliked the man. There really wasn’t anything about Mr Tufton one could dislike. But the entire time he had been seated in their parlour, Emma had lived in fear of his bringing up Lord Stewart’s visit and that would have been awkward since she had no intention of telling Linette Lord Stewart had called.

‘Had he come to talk about the dinner?’ Linette would surely have asked. Or ‘Had he come to speak to her father about the upcoming wedding?’ And the thought of having to tell her sister the truth made Emma shudder. Such an admission would only have brought on grief and uncertainty, and tears were most effective at destroying harmony in a house.

Then her brother Ridley came home—and that fragile harmony vanished for good.

He arrived at eight o’clock in the evening. Dinner was over and they were all sitting quietly in the drawing room when the door burst open, causing the dogs to start barking as though the four horsemen of the Apocalypse had appeared, and then Ridley blew in like a westerly.

‘Well, here I am,’ he announced dramatically. ‘The prodigal son returned. Have you all missed me dreadfully?’

‘We can scarce speak for emotion,’ Mr Darling said in a dry voice.

But Aunt Dorothy was already on her feet, anxious to greet her favourite nephew. ‘Ridley, dear boy, of course they’ve missed you. And I haven’t seen you in an age,’ she said, kissing him soundly on both cheeks. ‘But what have you done to your hair?’

‘It’s all the rage in London,’ Ridley said, grinning. ‘What do you think, Em?’

Emma looked up. ‘That you look like Caesar and you know what happened to him.’

‘Darling Emma,’ Ridley said fondly. ‘I can always count on you to say the nicest things. And here is little Linette,’ he said, turning to his sister and pulling her to her feet. ‘Who I vow is even more beautiful than when I left.’

‘Don’t be silly, Ridley, you’ve only been gone a few months,’ Linette said, blushing.

‘Nevertheless, there does seem to be an additional bloom on the rose and I suspect that has much to do with the fact you are soon to marry the venerable Mr Peter Taylor,’ Ridley said. ‘Well done, Linny. If all goes well, you might just end up a countess.’

‘Highly unlikely,’ Emma drawled, ‘given that there is an older brother in line for the title.’

‘Ah, yes. Alexander the Great.’

Emma blinked. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Alexander Taylor. Lord Stewart,’ Ridley explained, flopping down in his favourite chair. ‘The lads call him Alexander the Great because he’s a cracking good rider and a dashed hand with a whip. I won’t mind having him as a brother-in-law, I can tell you.’

‘You must be hungry, Ridley,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘Shall I ask Cook to prepare something?’

‘You may indeed. I did stop for a bit of overdone beef on the way, but I wouldn’t mind a slice of Mrs Dunstan’s excellent apple pie if there is any to be had.’

‘I’m sure that can be arranged. Ring for Jenks, would you, Emma?’

‘So, when are the nuptials to take place?’ Ridley enquired, fondling Rory’s silky head.

Linette blushed. ‘We haven’t set a date yet.’

‘What? I thought you would have been anxious to reel him in.’

‘Really, Ridley!’ Aunt Dorothy exclaimed. ‘The man is hardly a fish to be landed.’

‘Of course not. He’s already been hooked and I am very proud of my little sister for having done so. Imagine Linette snapping up the youngest son of an earl. It certainly trumps anything you or I have been able to pull off, Em. Unless there’s something you haven’t told me?’ He grinned. ‘Turned any gentleman up sweet yet?’

‘If I had, I’d know better than to tell you,’ Emma said, returning to her chair. ‘You would likely tease the poor man to death.’

‘Naturally. What are brothers for?’

‘To tell you the truth, I haven’t quite worked that out.’

‘All right, stop bickering, you two,’ Mr Darling said. ‘Ridley, how are you going on with your studies? Finding the intricacies of the law to your liking?’

For the first time, Ridley looked a little uncomfortable. ‘Actually, I’ve been meaning to write to you about that, Father.’

‘Oh?’

‘There’s something I have to tell you. And I don’t want you getting upset because I have given this a great deal of thought.’

Her father’s eyes narrowed. ‘Given what a great deal of thought?’

‘My decision to become a solicitor. Or rather, my decision … not to become one.’

His father dropped his book. ‘Not become a solicitor. Why the devil not?’

‘Because I’m really not cut out for it.’

‘Indeed! Then what, pray tell, are you cut out for?’

‘Painting,’ Ridley announced decisively.

Aunt Dorothy frowned. ‘Painting?’

‘Yes. As in portraits.’

‘Of what?’ his father demanded.

‘Of society’s most beautiful and aristocratic families.’ Ridley stood up and affected an elegant bow. ‘Of grand lords and titled ladies, of cherubic daughters and stalwart sons. And of their noble dogs and horses, of course,’ he said, leaning down to scratch Ranger behind the ear.

There was a moment of stunned silence before Linette said, ‘Goodness, Ridley, whatever possessed you to do such a thing?’

‘Indeed! Giving up law to dabble in paints and brushes?’ his father said stiffly. ‘I thought you had more sense.’

‘Sense I have in limited supply, but talent I possess in abundance,’ Ridley quipped. ‘I’ve already completed five commissions and have five more waiting. And they pay me very well.’

‘Then he must be good, Percy,’ Aunt Dorothy commented. ‘The aristocracy are very particular about who they engage to paint their portraits.’

‘Exactly!’ Ridley agreed. ‘They are very particular and I am very good. More to the point, those for whom I’ve done work have passed my name along to others and I actually have more work than I can handle.’

‘And I suppose you expect me to clap you on the back and say, well done, sir, well done!’ his father demanded.

‘That would be nice.’

‘Well, I shall not! Being a barrister is a respectable occupation. One that would stand you in good stead for the rest of your days. The same cannot be said for artists.’

‘Of course not, because we are all licentious reprobates who drink too much and have naked women lying around our studios,’ Ridley muttered. ‘God knows, I’ll probably be dead by the time I’m thirty.’

‘Really, Ridley, such language in front of your sisters!’ Aunt Dorothy chastised.

‘Indeed, and in front of your aunt,’ his father added. ‘I am not pleased, Ridley. Not at all pleased.’

‘But why should you be upset? It’s not as though I’m drinking myself into oblivion, or trying to cadge money from you. I make a very good living.’

‘But it is not the occupation of a gentleman!’

‘And I have never aspired to be a gentleman,’ Ridley said in exasperation. ‘I want to paint. I’ve always wanted to paint. It is the only thing I’m good at and likely the only thing I ever will be.’

The conversation was mercifully interrupted by the arrival of Jenks.

‘Ah, Jenks,’ Emma said quickly. ‘Would you be so good as to bring some fresh tea and either a slice of cake or a piece of pie for my brother?’

‘Don’t bother.’ Ridley abruptly got up and headed for the door. ‘I’ve lost my appetite. I’m going up to my room.’

‘We’ll talk about this in the morning, Ridley,’ Mr Darling called after him. ‘Don’t think we won’t!’

Emma exchanged an anxious glance with her sister, then nodded at the servant who was still standing patiently in the doorway. ‘Thank you, Jenks, it seems we won’t be needing anything after all.’

‘Very good, miss.’

After he left, the room settled into an uneasy silence. Linette picked up a book, Emma reached for a magazine and Aunt Dorothy went back to her tambour, muttering something about mismatched threads and too-tight knots.

‘Oh well, that’s just splendid!’ Mr Darling finally burst out. ‘My youngest daughter about to marry into an earl’s family and my only son announces he’s given up law to paint pictures.’

‘Portraits, Father,’ Emma corrected tactfully. ‘And it is not such a disreputable occupation. Mr Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds were both highly respected for their work.’

‘Ridley is not Gainsborough,’ Mr Darling drawled.

‘You don’t know that. You haven’t seen any samples of his work.’

‘And I have no desire to. Knowing Ridley, I can just imagine what kind of pictures—’

The door opened and Ridley walked back in. Ignoring his father, he handed a framed picture to Emma. ‘Lord Mortimer paid me six guineas for that and his recommendation brought in two more commissions for which I shall charge double. You may not like what I’ve turned my hand to, Father, but you cannot deny I’m good at it.’

With that, he left again, this time closing the door firmly behind him.

Emma glanced at the painting and slowly began to smile. The subject was a little girl no more than three years old. She was sitting on a stool with a spaniel at her feet and a small grey kitten clutched in her arms. Her hair was the colour of ripe corn and she was wearing a pale pink dress dotted with silver stars. She was a pretty little girl, to be sure, but it was the wistfulness of her expression and the innocence of her smile that Ridley had captured so perfectly on the canvas.

‘It is excellent,’ Emma said, handing the painting to Linette.

Linette didn’t say a word, but her eyes opened wide and when she looked up, Emma saw the admiration on her face. Clearly, she’d had no idea that Ridley was so talented. None of them had. The portrait was not the work of a rank amateur. It was the work of a man who deserved to be recognised for his skill and ability.

Unfortunately, thinking about paintings took Emma back to that morning and to the unpleasant confrontation she’d had with Lord Stewart. Pity she couldn’t so easily relegate him to the back of her mind. But, there he was, front and centre once again, and she had a sinking feeling he was going to stay there until she had decided what she was going to do about this situation with Linette and Peter.

Lord Stewart didn’t want his brother to marry Linette and Emma didn’t want to see Peter and Linette break up. And now Ridley had given up law to become an artist. Was it any wonder she had a feeling it was going to be a long time before harmony found its way back inside the peaceful walls of Dove’s Hollow again?