Page 19 of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days

‘I have always admired a dutiful man,’ Lady Morton said caressingly. Lord Hesse uncrossed his arms.

‘I hope you will still have time to join us for a ride on the morrow, Hesse?’ Ashford asked. ‘The terrain around these parts is some of the best in the country.’

‘I quite agree,’ Miss Hesse whispered.

‘Oh, what a pair you make,’ Lady Hesse said. ‘Both horse mad.’

Horse mad, was he? Lydia digested this piece of information consideringly. It made sense, now she thought of it, for Ashford could be seen riding in Hyde Park with a regularity that spoke more to passion than convention. Interesting. Yes, she could certainly work with this.

‘I as well!’ Mr Brandon said eagerly.

Lady Hesse appeared not to hear him. ‘Do you ride, Miss Hanworth?’

It was a strange feeling, to feel so obliged to a person one disliked, and yet Lydia felt a rush of gratitude to Lady Hesse, serving such easy hits to her.

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Though I only learnt recently.’

This was not true, but there was already a budding plan forming in Lydia’s mind.

‘You did not ride as a child?’ Sir Waldo asked.

‘My grandfather did not trust horses,’ Lydia said. ‘Or horse-shaped people.’

This part was true.

‘He sounds an original character,’ Dacre said, smiling encouragingly at her, and what better prompt could there be? She opened her mouth to elaborate on just how original her grandfather was when …

‘How wonderful it is to be here, altogether,’ Ashford said, not loudly, but drawing all eyes to him, nonetheless. He raised his teacup to his cousin in toast. ‘I feel very fortunate to be hosted so well.’

Lady Phoebe preened.

‘I as well,’ Mr Brandon agreed. ‘I must say, I am intrigued as to what trickery you might have up your sleeve, Lady Phoebe.’

‘I cannot think what you mean,’ she demurred.

‘Trickery?’ Pip said, turning from his inspection of the mantelpiece. ‘Deception?’

Pip, at least, was having no trouble finding an opening.

‘Mama said last year there was a surprise guest,’ Miss Hesse said, turning enquiring eyes upon Lady Phoebe. ‘Is there to be one this year, too?’

Lady Phoebe’s smile widened. ‘My lips are sealed.’

From beside Lydia, Lady Morton let out another delighted laugh. ‘You are too cruel, my lady – I adore it!’

She turned to Lydia in dramatically confidential fashion. ‘If last year is anything to go by, then I would prepare for this week to eclipse any house party you have ever attended, Miss Hanworth.’

‘Oh goodness, you shall set me up for failure, Lady Morton,’ Lady Phoebe chided her. ‘I do not know with whose house parties I am to compete – for all you know, Mr and Miss Hanworth could have been hosted by the Prince Regent!’

‘I have never attended any house party before,’ Lydia announced.

There was a pause. The longest of the evening.

‘I perceive that the Hanworths are more used to acting the host,’ Ashford interpolated, reaching into his pocket for his snuffbox.

Could nothing she said shake him?

‘You must have quite the country seat!’ Sir Waldo said, accepting Ashford’s explanation at once. ‘Which county do you find it?’