Page 35 of To Catch a Husband
‘The ring, and the familial similarity both.’
She found the realisation that he had studied her hands enough to be aware of the knot ring on her right middle finger made her pulse quicken more than the compliment about the resemblance.
‘I always thought I had more of Sir Robert about me,’ she said, with a touch of defiance.
‘No, no, Miss Lound. I will admit to a straightness of the nose, but no more … in looks. You have the determination that was obviously present in both of them. You were right to remove them from the house. They would not have liked it in a Risley’s hands, and I have to admit I am not only delighted to have inherited the estate, even from an unknown and not very pleasant family connection, but delighted also because my doing so has kept Jasper Risley’s hands off it.’
‘I do not think I could have borne it,’ murmured Mary.
‘No more than your ancestors, no. I have never, I have to say, seen myself in the light of gallant rescuer, and coming into the property was pure chance, but if you would like me to try on one of those old suits of armour I could at least assume the look of having196saved you, noble damsel, from the dragon that is Lord Cradley. I hope you decline the offer, by the by, because I think being encased in all that metal would be rather claustrophobic.’
She laughed and shook her head.
‘Since I always thought “damsels in distress” showed a marked lack of determination, I do decline your offer, Sir Rowland.’
‘That is not to say I hope you will refuse every offer I ever make you.’ The words tumbled out before he had time to prevent them, and as her eyes widened, he made a desperate attempt to pretend he was still in jest. ‘After all, it would be very lowering if you never came to dinner again.’
‘Yes, yes indeed, since it saves us the expense of dinner,’ she responded, swiftly. Both laughed, though the laughs were a trifle forced, and when their eyes met again, Mary Lound looked down, and flushed in genuine embarrassment, aware of some frisson between them.
‘I think the sun will be too bright this afternoon to actually catch any fish, Sir Rowland,’ she said, changing the subject.
‘Not that I am likely to actually get a fish on my hook,’ added Sir Rowland. ‘Would you prefer to wait until tomorrow afternoon?’
‘I think so. I will be honest, sir. I think that too much of my domineering company in one day might give you such a dislike of me that those dinner offers would never be made again.’197
‘It is not domineering, Miss Lound. However, I would like to make my own notes upon the rest of the estate, and I feel that my brother might like a little of my company in these last few weeks before he goes back to Oxford. Tomorrow afternoon, at three, weather permitting, then?’
‘Yes, at three.’
‘Thank you.’ He bowed over her hand and left her. She looked up at her ancestors.
‘Well, what do you think?’
She received no reply, which was a good thing.
198
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sir Harry Penwood was in a thoughtful mood, and his cogitations were not entirely happy. He had encountered Lord Cradley when he ‘happened to be passing’ Hazelwood, the Roxtons’ residence, and the gentleman had all the polish and address Harry knew he did not possess. The man clearly admired Miss Banham but had no problems in charming her with his conversation. His was one tongue that evidently never tied itself into knots.
It could not be said that Lady Roxton looked delighted at his presence; if anything, she looked watchful and guarded. However, Lord Cradley did not stay over long, nor say anything that might be construed as forward.
Miss Banham had been in a bright and happy mood,199which was wonderful as long as one did not think about whether it was Lord Cradley who had put her there. She did begin to tell the latest visitor what he had said and thought, until her mama had, quietly but firmly, suggested that Sir Harry did not want second-hand views.
‘Oh dear, I have let my tongue run away with me, Sir Harry. Do forgive me.’ The pleading look would have had ninety-nine per cent of men forgive her anything, and Harry Penwood was not in the tiny minority. Mindful of what Mary had told him, he did not try to compete upon silver-tongued compliments and worldly knowledge.
‘Miss Banham, I would far rather hear your own opinions upon matters than Lord Cradley’s.’
‘You would?’ Miss Banham even seemed to be able to frown without marring her loveliness. ‘But I do not know anything. I cannot tell you who is the prime minister of Am—oh, they do not have one, do they!’ She put her fingers to her lips.
‘I am not talking of facts such as one might look up in an encyclopaedia, Miss Banham, and what you have told me of Lord Cradley’s opinions are just that, opinions. I would rather hear if you have read that book which was all the rage this spring,Pride and Prejudice. One of my friends in the regiment had it sent in a parcel from his mother, with strict instructions to read it. He began it without enthusiasm but was soon absorbed by it. Several of us borrowed it from him, and though one200fellow yawned over it and its lack of “action”, I for one found it most diverting.’
‘Soldiers read books?’ Miss Banham clearly thought this a revelation.
‘Indeed, ma’am.’ He laughed, for she made it sound as likely as a dog playing the pianoforte. ‘What a poor view you must have of soldiers.’
‘Oh no, it is just … but how do you find time, between fighting battles and doing manoeuvres and such things?’
