A Lady for Lord Randall. Sarah Mallory

tonight.’

      ‘That is simple: my sister asked me.’

      ‘Even though you clearly do not approve of us?’

      ‘Even so. I am only here for one week and did not wish to spend an evening apart from Harriett.’

      ‘Hattie always said you were the best of the Latymors.’ She observed his surprise and her smile grew. ‘You must remember I have been Hattie’s friend since our schooldays, Lord Randall. I am aware that your mother, the countess, was outraged when Harriett returned from school with her head full of independent ideas. Our intentions were very much the same, you see. We both wished to make our own way in the world and declared we would never marry. It must have been a relief when Hattie fell head over heels in love with Theophilus three years ago.’

      ‘It was. Graveney had a comfortable independence and my mother was too relieved to see her daughter respectably married to protest at her new son-in-law’s rather unconventional views.’

      Randall was surprised that he should talk so freely. It was not his habit to discuss his family with anyone, but there was an elusive charm about this woman that put him at his ease.

      ‘Quite...’ she nodded ‘...and they have lived happily in Sussex ever since, unconcerned that Harriett’s family disapprove of the match.’

      ‘I do not disapprove,’ said Randall mildly. ‘For my part I have no objection to Graveney. He is a decade older than I am and we have little in common, but I like the fact that he has made no effort to ingratiate himself with the family and he is not afraid to speak his mind.’

      ‘You do not object to that?’ she asked, her brows raised.

      ‘No, I respect it. And I am content that the fellow can support Harriett and make her happy.’ He paused. ‘Now what have I said to make you smile?’

      ‘Hattie told me you were very different from the rest of the Latymors.’

      ‘Oh?’ He stiffened. ‘May I ask what she has said about our family?’

      ‘She did not imply any criticism,’ she replied quickly. ‘Merely that you are more tolerant than the others. I expect that comes from being a soldier and away so much. I believe your mama, Lady Randall, runs the house and estates at Chalfont Magna in your absence and looks after your younger brothers?’

      ‘Yes, they are twins and still at Eton.’

      ‘How old are they now, fourteen? I have no doubt they are very proud of you.’

      ‘I do not know, I hardly see them. I have been on campaign for most of their lives.’

      ‘That is very sad, they could learn so much from you. Have you no thoughts of leaving the army and going home, taking your place as head of the household?’

      Home. Randall considered Chalfont Abbey. Had he ever felt at home there? His mother ran everything like clockwork and he had always been happy to let her do so. He felt a little spurt of irritation. How dare the woman question him in this way?

      ‘I have a job to do, Miss Endacott. Perhaps you do not understand that I have a duty to my men and my country.’

      ‘Of course I understand that, but perhaps, when this campaign is over, you might decide to stay at Chalfont. I am sure your mama would welcome your support.’

      ‘I doubt it. She has always managed very well without me.’

      Even as he said it he was not sure it was true. This last short visit to Chalfont had shown him that she was growing older. She left more of the work to the stewards now.

      ‘What of the rest of your family? Harriett tells me your oldest sister is in Europe.’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘You do not approve?’

      He frowned. This young woman was too perceptive for comfort. He knew he could snub her, but he was enjoying talking to her, more so than anyone else he had met this evening. She spoke again, saying in a reflective voice, ‘From what Harriett has told me about Augusta I am sure she was eager to follow the ton to Paris.’

      ‘She was and her doting husband indulged her. My mother sent my youngest sister Sarah with them, knowing she would be thrown in the way of eligible young men and hoping she might be induced to accept one of them.’ He gave a little huff of amusement. ‘My mother thinks that at two-and-twenty Sarah is running out of time to find a husband.’

      Again Miss Endacott gave that warm gurgle of laughter.

      ‘Yes, she is practically on the shelf!’

      ‘But her twin is unmarried—did you know there are two sets of twins in our family?’ he asked. ‘My mother has seven surviving children of which I am the eldest. Our father was very productive.’

      His jaw tightened. The old earl had been well known for his insatiable appetite, not just for his wife but for any woman.

      ‘Yes, I did know Sarah had a twin brother, but when it comes to marriage it is very different for a man.’ Miss Endacott’s voice interrupted his bitter thoughts. ‘Gideon will be free to do very much as he pleases. How is he enjoying his new cavalry regiment, by the by?’

      ‘I have no idea, he does not correspond with me.’

      ‘If you will excuse my saying so, Lord Randall, you do not seem a very close family, but I believe that is the way amongst the nobility.’

      ‘And what do you know of the nobility, Miss Endacott?’

      He spoke frostily and saw her visibly withdraw from him.

      ‘Now I have offended you,’ she said quietly. ‘I had best leave you—’

      A moment ago he had been wishing her at Hades, but as she made to rise he put out a hand to stop her.

      ‘We had a bargain, Miss Endacott.’ The faint lift of an eyebrow told him she would dispute it and he tried for a softer note. ‘Please, ma’am, stay and talk to me.’

      The distant look faded from her countenance and she sank back on the sofa, waiting expectantly for him to begin.

      ‘Do you make a long stay with the Bentincks, Miss Endcaott?’

      ‘Two weeks only. A pity because I would have liked to see more of Harriett.’

      ‘Then why not stay longer? I am sure if Mrs Bentinck cannot put you up my sister would be delighted to do so.’

      ‘She has already suggested it, but it cannot be, I am afraid. Business calls me away.’ She saw his puzzled look and laughed. ‘I am not a lady of leisure, my lord. I have to earn my living. If I were a scholar perhaps, or a poet or an author, then I might remain in Sussex and be busy with my pen.’

      ‘Oh? Are you in trade?’

      That disturbing twinkle lit her eyes again.

      ‘Why, yes, of a sort. I must get back to my girls or—’ she corrected herself, a mischievous smile lilting on her lips, ‘my ladies, as I call them.’

      A young man lounged up and laughingly asked Miss Endcaott to come and support him in an argument with his friends. When Randall bridled, incensed at being interrupted, the lady rested one hand on his arm.

      ‘You are not used to such freedom of manners, sir, but remember, no one here knows who you are.’ She rose. ‘Forgive me, I had best go, I have spent far too long with you already.’ Her eyes twinkled and she said mischievously, ‘My reputation would be quite ruined, you know, if I had one!’

      Randall watched her walk away. He was intrigued. Who in heaven’s name was Mary Endacott? Not a scholar, she had said, but in trade. He regarded her retreating form thoughtfully. She had joined a group of gentlemen and was quite at her ease with them, laughing at their jokes and making a riposte of her own. She was not pretty in the conventional sense, but certainly attractive enough for the gentlemen around her to be captivated.