Читать книгу A Regency Baron's Bride - Sarah Mallory - Страница 12

The drive back to Chipping Barnet was accomplished in good time, with Lady Leaconham expressing herself highly satisfied with the day.

‘To dine al fresco with the Harworths is an honour not afforded to everyone,’ she told Kitty. ‘And that my nephew should choose to spend so much time with you is very encouraging. I was pleased to see you making yourself so agreeable to him.’

‘I hope I did not seem too forward, Godmama,’ replied Kitty, alarmed. ‘I had no thought other than to be polite. I would not like Lord Harworth to think I was encouraging his advances.’

‘That is exactly what you were doing, you silly puss,’ chuckled Lady Leaconham. ‘I admit when you first came to me I had no thought of aiming so high for you. I had hoped to find you a gentleman of comfortable means, but a baron, and my own nephew at that—well! ‘

She subsided into her corner, engrossed in her own happy thoughts and leaving Kitty prey to much more disturbing reflections. There was no doubt she was enjoying her time in London, although she missed Mama and Aunt Jane. She found the society diverting, but although she knew her mother had sent her to Town in the hope that she would find a husband, the idea of spending more than a day in the company of any of the gentlemen she had met, even Lord Harworth, filled her with dismay. Sadly she had discovered that most of the eligible gentlemen were empty-headed and so full of their own conceit that she found them positively disagreeable after a half-hour’s conversation. Others, like Lord Harworth, were perfectly agreeable but, she was ashamed to admit it, rather dull.

The thought flashed into her mind that Daniel Blackwood was neither dull nor empty-headed. He was infuriating, of course, and arrogant, and outspoken, but one could never accuse him of being boring.

The carriage began to slow and Kitty saw that they had arrived at the Rising Sun. The shadows were already lengthening in the cobbled yard as they drove in. The landlord came bustling out to greet them, grinning broadly and wiping his hands on his apron as he addressed them through the open carriage window.

‘Good day to you, ma’am—and you, miss! ‘Tis very busy here today, but I am sure we can find you a room.’

The man’s genial smile disappeared when Lady Leaconham demanded to see her son.

‘L-Lord Leaconham, m’lady? He’s one of those who came for the beefsteak dinner in the upstairs dining room, I believe. I am afraid they are not yet concluded.’

He cast a glance upwards, where sounds of raucous merriment could be heard coming from an open window on the first floor.

‘Then you will inform him I am here!’ commanded my lady.

‘Aye, ma’am.’ He flicked his head and a young boy scampered away into the inn. ‘Will you not come in and take some refreshment, madam.?’

‘No, I want to collect my son and go home.’

‘Well, ma’am, you see.’ The landlord shifted uncomfortably.

Lady Leaconham waved to him to open the door and she alighted from the carriage, Kitty following close behind her.

‘What is the matter with you—he is here, is he not?’ demanded Lady Leaconham.

‘Aye, he’s here. That is—’

‘Well, let us to him!’

Lady Leaconham swept towards the inn, the landlord hurrying after her, but before they had gone more than a few steps Garston appeared in the doorway, looking flushed and bleary-eyed.

‘Oh, so it is you, m’m.’ He placed one hand on the doorframe to steady himself. ‘Wasn’t expectin’ you yet.’

‘I think you have lost track of the time, my son,’ replied Lady Leaconham. ‘Come along now, fetch your things and let us be off. I want to reach Portman Square well before dark.’

‘Ah, well, that’s the thing,’ replied Garston, enunciating his words with enormous care. ‘Not sure I’m up to travellin’ at the moment.’ He gave his mother a smile of great sweetness. ‘Excuse me, Mama. Rather fancy I’m about to cast up my accounts.’

With that he swung round and vomited at the side of the doorway.

Kitty gasped, while Lady Leaconham remained rooted to the spot, staring at her son. Behind them, one of the outriders gave a short laugh.

‘Told you ‘e wasn’t one to ‘old ‘is drink.’

Lady Leaconham whirled about.

‘How dare you be so impertinent! You are dismissed, both of you!’

‘But, Godmama, we need their escort—’

‘I will not tolerate insolence!’ retorted Lady Leaconham, white with fury. ‘How dare they suggest my son is … is inebriated! Go, I say! You will be gone from my service by the morning—and leave your livery behind you, or I shall have you arrested for robbery!’

In dismay Kitty watched the two outriders clatter out of the yard. Lady Leaconham took a few steps towards Garston, who was still leaning against the wall, groaning. Tentatively she put her hand out to him.

‘Come along, my son, get into the carriage and let us be gone from this place. What were your friends about, could they not see you are unwell? Come, my love, let me help you.’

‘Don’t think … anyone … can.’ muttered Garston.

He turned, leaning his back against the wall as his legs crumpled under him and he slid to the floor, unconscious. Lady Leaconham gave a little scream.

‘Oh, good heavens—oh, my poor boy! Quickly, someone, run and fetch a doctor!’

The landlord stepped forwards, shaking his head.

‘Nay, my lady, I’m sure if we was to get him upstairs and into a bed—’

‘No, no, fetch a doctor! Oh, I shall go distracted,’ cried Lady Leaconham, reaching out to grip Kitty’s arm. ‘Quickly, child, where is my vinaigrette? I fear I am going to faint.’

‘Now that won’t help anyone, madam,’ said a deep, calm voice behind them.

Kitty looked round to see Daniel Blackwood jumping down from his horse.

‘And the landlord’s right,’ he continued bluntly. ‘Leaconham is drunk: best to take him upstairs and let him sleep it off.’ He signalled to the coachman and footman, who ran forward to pick up Garston and carry him inside.

Kitty felt Lady Leaconham sag against her, but even as she struggled to support her, Daniel stepped up to take the matron’s free arm.

‘Come, ma’am,’ he said. ‘Allow us to escort you inside.’

The landlord led them to a small parlour where Kitty and Daniel half-carried Lady Leaconham across the room to a cushioned armchair beside the empty fireplace.

‘Have a bottle of wine brought in,’ ordered Daniel. He glanced at Kitty. ‘Will you look after Lady Leaconham while I go upstairs and see what I can do for her son?’

Kitty nodded and as he strode away she searched in her godmother’s reticule for her smelling salts.

By the time Daniel returned Lady Leaconham had recovered a little and was sipping at a glass of wine.

‘How is Leaconham?’ she asked him anxiously.

‘Sleeping,’ he said shortly. ‘He is unlikely to stir before the morning.’

‘Then perhaps we should go home, Godmama,’ suggested Kitty. ‘There is still time to reach Town before dark.’

‘And leave my son here, alone?’ declared my lady, setting her glass down with a snap. ‘Never. The poor boy has obviously eaten something that disagreed with him. Did he not say he would be dining on oysters? I have no doubt that was it. I make it a rule never to touch shellfish.’

As Daniel opened his mouth to reply Kitty met his eyes and gave a tiny shake of her head. He shrugged.

‘Whatever the cause,’ he said, ‘Lord Leaconham is in no condition to travel today. The inn is very busy.’ Loud voices and a burst of raucous laughter from the room above added weight to his words. He continued, ‘You are best to go home, ma’am. The landlord here can be trusted to look after Leaconham.’

But Lady Leaconham merely shook her head and dabbed at her eyes with the wisp of lace that was her handkerchief.

‘I do not think I could travel another yard tonight,’ she said querulously. ‘Seeing Garston in such distress has completely destroyed my nerves. Kitty, my dear, go and find the landlord. Tell him we need rooms for the night.’

‘But, ma’am, it is not far to Town,’ protested Kitty, ‘I am sure you would be more comfortable in your own bed.’

‘You forget, Katherine my dear,’ said my lady in reproachful tones, ‘that we have no outriders to escort us, and the sun is already setting.’

‘I would be very happy to escort you to Town, madam,’ put in Daniel, stepping forwards.

‘That is very kind of you, Mr Blackwood,’ came the gracious reply, ‘but I cannot contemplate leaving my poor boy here alone. What if he should wake in the night, calling for his mama?’

Kitty saw Daniel’s lips twitch and she said, trying to keep the laughter out of her own voice, ‘My dear ma’am, Garston is five-and-twenty. He has had his own establishment for years now.’

‘That is not the point,’ returned my lady in dignified accents. ‘I am still his mama, and I am the person he needs when he is ill.’

‘He is not ill, ma’am, he is dead drunk!’ retorted Daniel with brutal frankness.

Lady Leaconham gave a little shudder and collapsed back in the chair. Kitty stepped up and took her hands, chafing them gently between her own.

‘Now look what you have done!’ She cast an angry glance towards Daniel. ‘How can you be so unfeeling?’

‘Well, you know I am an insensitive, uncouth, northern fellow!’

‘And you can stop that nonsense this minute,’ she told him crossly. ‘I know very well it is all play-acting designed to annoy me.’

He laughed suddenly.

‘So it is, Miss Wythenshawe. Very well, tell me what I can do to help.’

‘Bespeak rooms for us, if you please, and ask the coachman to stable the horses. If Lady Leaconham is determined to stay, then we must do so, I think.’

He disappeared, coming back a few moments later to inform her that a room was being prepared.

‘I hope you will not object, but they are very busy tonight so I have arranged for you to share a room. I thought you would prefer that to having separate rooms at opposite ends of the building, which is all they have free.’

‘Yes, thank you, sir. That is very satisfactory is it not, Godmama?’ Kitty looked to Lady Leaconham, who was leaning back in her chair, her vinaigrette clutched in one hand.

‘And is my room near my son?’ asked the widow in a faint voice.

‘I am afraid not, but I have directed the landlord to have someone sitting up with him tonight.’ said Daniel. ‘There is a very small chamber available next to Lord Leaconham, so I have taken that for myself. If he wakes in the night and—er—calls for you, ma’am, I will be able to send word.’

Kitty frowned.

‘That is very good of you sir, but I am sure there is no need for you to stay—’

‘Oh, but there is,’ Lady Leaconham interrupted her. ‘Surely you would not expect Mr Blackwood to abandon us in this horrid place when my son is too weak to act as our protector? As for Garston …’ She hesitated, a look of distaste crossing her face. ‘I shall wait until the morning and then if I think it necessary I shall summon a doctor. I am in your debt, Mr Blackwood, and gladly accept your protection for myself and my goddaughter. I am very grateful.’

‘Think nothing of it, my lady. They have tea here, so I have ordered them to send in the Black Bohea, to restore your nerves.’

‘Now that is kind of you, Mr Blackwood,’ murmured Kitty, allowing herself to smile at him for the first time.

‘It is my mother’s remedy for most ills,’ he told her, with the flash of a smile.

The sudden transformation in his dark features momentarily robbed Kitty of her breath, and she was relieved that the maid came in with the tea tray at that moment and she could give her attention to the ritual of making tea for them all.

***

The hour was quite advanced when Lady Leaconham put down her cup and declared she would retire. She struggled to her feet.

‘Kitty my dear, give me your arm. We will ask the landlord to direct us to our bedchamber.’

Daniel opened the door for them.

‘Would you like me to have a little supper sent up to you, my lady?’

Kitty felt her godmother shudder as though even the thought of food made her feel unwell. Daniel observed it, too, and inclined his head.

‘Very well, ma’am, but do not forget that this parlour is at your disposal until the morrow, should you wish to make use of it.’

Murmuring her thanks, Kitty accompanied her godmother to the chamber allocated to them. It was a large room overlooking the street, where Lady Leaconham declared that there was so much noise she would not get a wink of sleep.

‘I have no nightgown,’ she complained tearfully. ‘And no maid. Who is to undress me and look after my clothes? I would not trust them to a common inn servant!’

‘Oh, dear, if we had thought of that earlier we might have sent to Portman Square for Meakin to come here and to bring you a change of clothes,’ said Kitty, dismayed. ‘We are not so very far from home, after all.’ She summoned up a smile. ‘No matter, Godmama, I will look after you. I shall help you out of your gown and you may sleep in your shift.’ She added cheerfully, ‘This is a very respectable inn, ma’am. Look, the sheets are clean and they have even used the warming pan in the bed.’

***

An hour later Lady Leaconham was sleeping peacefully. Kitty had helped her to undress, carefully folding her gown and placing it with her stays, petticoats, shoes and stockings in readiness for the morning. She pinched out the candles and moved the solitary lamp so that the light did not fall directly upon her godmother’s face. However, Kitty herself was reluctant to go to bed. It was not late, the summer twilight was still evident outside the window and she was aware of a gnawing hunger. She would not risk disturbing her godmother by ordering a meal to be sent up to the room, so she decided to go in search of food.

The inn was quieter now, the noisy diners had left or retired to their beds to sleep off their potations and there was no one on the stairs as she made her way down to the ground floor.

She found the little parlour illuminated by candles on the mantelpiece and a branched candlestick on the table, where Daniel was sitting before a mouth-watering array of dishes. He rose as she entered the room.

‘Miss Wythenshawe!’

‘I came in search of supper.’

He pulled up a chair.

‘There is more than sufficient here for the both of us, if you would care to join me. Sit down and I will send for another plate and glass.’

In two strides he was at the door, calling for the waiter. She heard the rumble of voices in the passage before Daniel returned.

‘Our host has promised to lay a cover for you immediately. It should not take more than a few minutes.’

‘I am interrupting your meal.’

‘Not at all,’ he said politely. ‘I have only just begun and will now wait until you can join me. Will you not sit down?’

Kitty moved over to the chair he was holding for her and sat down with a quiet word of thanks. Daniel resumed his own seat and silence filled the room.

At last Kitty said, ‘You have not told us, sir, why you were travelling this way. This is not on your route back to Town.’

He looked down at the table, intent upon straightening his knife and fork.

‘I overheard your coachman talking. It seemed pretty clear that he did not think Leaconham would be fit to travel: I thought you might need assistance.’

The entry of a serving maid caused a diversion and they watched silently while she laid another place at the table. When they were alone again Daniel poured Kitty a glass of wine.

‘Will you take a little of the lamb?’ he asked her. ‘It is very good. You will note I have not ordered the oysters.’

Kitty chuckled.

‘We both know they were not the cause of Lord Leaconham’s malaise.’ She sighed. ‘Poor Garston. Poor Godmama! I doubt she has seen her son in that condition before.’ He made no reply. Kitty put down her glass. ‘I know you think him weak and foolish. After all he knew we were coming back this way to collect him, but have you no compassion at all? No, obviously not.’ She bit her lip, then said with difficulty, ‘I beg your pardon, that is unjust. You have shown great kindness in following us to this place.’

He looked across the table and held her gaze.

‘My opinion of Leaconham is not high. The man may go out and drink himself into oblivion every night for all I care, but to do so knowing that he was needed to escort two ladies back to Town, I find that foolish and irresponsible.’

‘You are right, of course. Which makes it all the more generous of you to look after us.’

‘I am not doing this for Leaconham, nor for your godmother.’

Kitty caught her breath, wondering if she had misunderstood him.

‘I do not deserve that you should be so kind to me,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Every time we meet I am impolite to you.’

The corners of his mouth lifted a fraction.

‘You certainly like to remind me of my place.’

There was a heartbeat’s pause before she spoke again.

‘I made an assumption about you on that first morning we met. I was wrong. I beg your pardon.’

‘And I beg your pardon for reacting as I did,’ he said. ‘Will you cry friends with me now?’

Kitty looked up to respond and found him smiling at her. Once again she was aware of her heart behaving erratically. Like a wild bird in panic, fluttering against its cage. The first time it had happened she had thought it the result of fear and alarm, because she had been trapped in his arms as he carried her through the mud. Here in this candlelit room there was no such danger.

Was there?

‘F-friends?’ she managed to say. ‘Yes, of course.’

She lowered her eyes and fixed her attention upon her plate. Nerves had diminished her appetite, but her companion’s quiet good manners did much to calm her. He wasted no time on small talk, but proved himself a considerate host, serving her himself and encouraging her to partake a little of each dish. She declined the roasted pigeon but managed to eat a little of the lamb and a few French beans, and by the time she had finished her glass of wine she was feeling much more relaxed and able to enjoy a small portion of gooseberry syllabub. She even accepted a small glass of Madeira wine.

‘I hope you do not suspect me of trying to make you drunk?’ said Daniel as he refilled her glass.

‘No. I know you now for a gentleman.’

His brows went up, but at that moment the servant returned to clear the table, and he said merely, ‘Shall we move over to the window? The armchair there will be more comfortable for you.’

Kitty hesitated. She was suddenly aware that she and Daniel were alone, and the chair he indicated was well away from the candles’ golden glow.

‘I should perhaps retire.’

‘Are you weary?’

‘No.’ The blood was singing through her veins. She felt more like dancing than sleeping. ‘No, not at all.’

‘Then sit with me for a while. After all, your godmother has accepted my protection for you both. And you yourself said I was a gentleman.’

The glint of amusement in his eyes as he said this made Kitty laugh and did much to ease the tension. She sank down into the cushioned armchair and sipped at her wine. He carried a chair across from the table and placed it opposite her.

‘I am not at all high in the instep, you know,’ she said as he sat down.

‘You surprise me, Miss Wythenshawe.’

‘No, really. Before, I would have mistaken your tone for condemnation but now I know you are teasing me, are you not?’ she looked up a trifle anxiously. ‘I think I have given you a false impression, and … and would like to explain, if I may.’ She wrapped her hands around her glass and braced herself for a confession, thankful for the dim light. ‘You see, I am … not rich.’

She looked up, waiting for his reaction. He said mildly, ‘I am not sure Harworth knows that.’

‘Perhaps he is not aware of my exact circumstances.’ She blushed. ‘Godmama suggested we should not give out such information too freely. I doubt if she would approve of my telling you so much.’

‘You do not need to disclose anything further, Miss Wythenshawe—’

‘But I want to!’ she said quickly. ‘I thought it might help you to understand why, why I acted as I did. Why I was so rude to you when we first met.’

‘Very well. If you wish to talk, I will listen.’

She paused, gathering her thoughts.

‘I was very excited by the thought of coming to London. The gown I was wearing the day we met was a new one. It was my only walking dress. At that time I did not know Lady Leaconham, that she would buy me another gown and positively shower me with gifts and clothes. She is so very, very generous. I was nervous, you see: so eager to make a good impression when I arrived in London that I am afraid I quite forgot my manners on the journey.’ She looked up suddenly and said with spirit, ‘You will admit, sir, that you were extremely dirty!’

‘I cannot deny it. I had spent a night on the moors, in the rain.’ He spoke gravely, no hint of a smile, but she perceived the softening of his look.

‘I thought you very ill mannered, and I was afraid that … contact with you would make my gown dusty.’

His lips twitched.

‘I did much more than that, and I am very sorry for it.’

She waved aside his apology.

‘If I had not been so uncivil to you—! I was puffed up with conceit, as if I had been a very fine lady, which I am not.’ She settled into her chair, determined on a full confession. ‘If you will allow me to explain: Mama is the widow of a gentleman, a very good man, but unfortunately a series of ill-judged investments meant that when he died suddenly, poor Mama was left with almost nothing and we were obliged to live with my aunt in Fallridge.’ She held up her head and added, a hint of defiance in her voice, ‘Mama and Aunt Jane earn a living with their sewing.’

‘Very commendable,’ remarked Daniel.

‘Yes, it is,’ agreed Kitty. ‘Mama used all her savings to ensure that I had an excellent education and that I learned all the accomplishments a young lady might require—dancing, singing, playing the pianoforte. I speak French excellently and know a smattering of Italian—’

He put up his hand to stem this recital.

‘I have not been in Town very long, Miss Wythenshawe, but I know that many young ladies get by with far fewer accomplishments.’

‘Yes, but they have dowries,’ replied Kitty drily. ‘It is much easier to find a husband if one has a fortune.’

Daniel settled himself back in his chair.

‘Is that why you came to London, Miss Wythenshawe, to find a husband?’

‘Yes. Mama taught me how to make my curtsy to a duke or to an earl, to hold my fan just so and how to address everyone, from a duchess to a dairymaid.’ She took another sip of her wine. The sweet nutty flavour of the Madeira was very pleasant and she was beginning to feel a warm glow spreading through her. ‘Everything, you see, to make me fit to marry a lord. It has been my dream since I was a very little girl.’

‘I fear you are aiming at the moon, Miss Wythenshawe.’

She put up her chin.

‘Perhaps, but I have been given this opportunity and I must make the most of it.’

‘Of course.’

A little of her certainty drained away. She said pensively, ‘I am Mama’s only hope, you see. I have to marry well, because I need my future husband to make such settlements that Mama and Aunt Jane will be able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort. Mama said it is very important that I act like a lady, because she is very particular about the sort of husband I should have.’ She saw his brows twitch together and added, ‘I know, it sounds quite ridiculous, but you see, Lord Harworth has been so kind to me that Lady Leaconham is encouraged to think an alliance might be possible and she has written to Mama to say so! And he is her nephew, so she cannot think me too unsuitable, can she?’

‘Is that why you went off into the woods with Harworth this afternoon?’

Kitty nodded.

‘Godmama suggested I should be friendly, and it is not at all difficult, for Lord Harworth is most agreeable. He was most kind, explaining all about the park and the woods at Wormley, and the new planting he wants to do there—’ She broke off as Daniel gave a shout of laughter.

‘Are you telling me that he took you along that secluded path and did nothing but talk of landscaping the gardens? What a cod’s head.’

‘Why, yes, he—’ She broke off, her eyes widening. ‘Do you mean he should have flirted with me?’

‘It’s what any man would do with a pretty girl.’

‘Oh …’ She blushed, momentarily diverted. ‘Do—do you really think I’m pretty?’

His eyes rested on her for a moment, a look in them that she could not interpret.

‘As a matter of fact, I do.’

‘Oh,’ she said again. ‘Well, perhaps he did flirt with me, and I didn’t know it.’ She got up and walked to the window, staring out into the yard, which despite the late hour was still bustling with activity beneath the light of a dozen flaming torches.

‘What did he say to you?’ he asked.

She frowned, trying to remember.

‘I really cannot recall, we merely strolled along the path.’

‘And did he walk very close to you?’ asked Daniel.

Kitty did not need to turn her head to know that Daniel was standing behind her; his body was only inches from her own. She could feel his presence, it made her spine tingle. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on the view from the window and forced herself to stand still.

‘I held his arm,’ she said carefully.

‘But did he at any time stop and direct your attention to the view? Like this, perhaps.’

He rested his hands lightly on her shoulders. His touch was warm on her skin and it took all her willpower not to drop her head to one side and rub her cheek against his fingers. She was so tense she felt as brittle as glass. At any moment she might shatter. She had to struggle to answer him.

‘No, he did not.’

‘Then the man is most decidedly a fool,’ murmured Daniel.

The vibration of his warm, deep voice was carried through his hands and into her bones. Her insides became an aching void, the ache spreading quickly into her thighs. Even her breasts felt taut. She knew she should make some flippant comment, slip out from under his hands and put distance between them, but she was no longer in control. She heard herself saying, ‘Oh, and why is that?’

‘Because from here it is the work of a moment to turn you, like this, and then.’

Gently he pulled her round to face him. Kitty turned, like one in a dream, and obedient to the pressure of his fingers beneath her chin she raised her head and found herself gazing up into his face. She watched the amused glint disappear from his dark eyes. They seemed to blaze, burning into her. The aching void was instantly filled with white-hot fire. Daniel swooped down, enveloping her. He crushed her against him, imprisoning her lips beneath his own, his arms binding her close. She was overwhelmed, confused, as if she was flying, drowning and burning all at the same time. Her knees felt weak, she clung to his coat, and all the while her senses were reeling under the onslaught of his kiss. It was as savage and wild as the Yorkshire moors and it drew from her a shuddering response. When Daniel loosened his hold and raised his head she gave a little cry and threw her arms about his neck, pulling him back to kiss her again.

Daniel found himself locked in a fierce, passionate embrace. Being alone in the candlelight with a beguiling young woman was certainly a temptation, and he had given in to it, but he had intended nothing more than a light kiss. However, when he had pulled her into his arms all conscious thought disappeared and a violent, uncontrollable desire ripped through him. That had surprised him, but what had completely thrown him off balance was that when he had tried to apologise for frightening her, Kitty had pulled him back and shown herself eager for his kisses. He found her inexpert but ardent response more arousing than the practised arts of any courtesan. She was so damned alluring. Dangerously so. He summoned every ounce of his will-power to break away. Gripping her arms, he pushed her gently but firmly back into the chair.

‘Did, did I do something wrong?’ She looked up at him, her eyes troubled.

‘No, sweetheart.’ He dropped to his knees in front of her and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘I am at fault for taking advantage of you.’ His hands slid down and he caught her fingers. ‘I should never have allowed you to sup alone with me.’ Shouts and the clatter of hooves in the yard made him look up at the unshuttered window. ‘I only hope the stable lads were too busy with their work to notice what was going on in here. Thankfully it is brighter in the yard than in this parlour.’ He glanced back at Kitty, his heart turning over when he saw the anxious look on her face. He said bluntly, ‘I am afraid I may have damaged your reputation, Miss Wythenshawe.’

‘Because you kissed me?’

He squeezed her fingers.

‘Just being alone here with me is enough to compromise you.’

She considered this for a moment. He was pleased to see the bemused look had gone and she was more in control of herself.

‘I am sure Lord Leaconham and my godmother will not wish to talk about this evening.’

‘But there is the landlord, and the servants.’

She shrugged.

‘I am not known here, sir, neither are you. Who are they likely to tell?’

‘A few judicious coins in the right hands might secure their silence. Are you willing to trust that no one will find out about our being here together?’

She gave him a little smile.

‘What is the alternative, Mr Blackwood?’

He shrugged.

‘That we marry, I suppose.’

Daniel cursed silently even as the words left his lips. Devil take it, what was he saying? He had surely imbibed more than he had intended tonight! He saw her eyes widen, felt the little hands tremble and a moment later she gently withdrew them from his grasp.

‘Out of the question, sir,’ she said crisply, leaving her chair and walking away from him. ‘Why, we hardly know each other. And I am sure your family has no idea of your marrying a penniless bride.’

Daniel rose to his feet, not knowing if he was more relieved or disappointed at her response. Did she think so little of him that he was not even to be considered as a husband?

‘No, of course not, but neither would they have me compromise a young lady.’

She was standing with her back to him but at this she turned. The lighted candles behind her framed her dark head with a golden halo, but the shadows concealed her expression.

‘Then we must hope word does not get abroad,’ she said quietly. ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to—what is the term?—grease a few palms to ensure it does not. I shall retire now, and in the morning we may behave as if this evening never occurred.’

‘If that is what you want.’

‘It is.’ She added lightly, ‘Have I not told you that I intend to marry a lord?’

She gave him a little curtsy and went out, leaving Daniel staring at the empty space.