Page 62 of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days

She could not abandon the field of battle for the entire day, not for a little fishiness. With a reluctant nod, Lady Phoebe acquiesced, and together they walked briskly along the corridor and down the grand staircase – though Lydia did notice that after a few steps, Lady Phoebe made certain there was slightly more than an arm’s length between them.

‘I have no idea what could have caused this,’ Lady Phoebe muttered, her face pinched with stress. ‘Short of a fish rotting somewhere, I cannot think what caused that most awful smell.’

‘Nor I …’ Lydia broke off as they swept out onto the front steps. The rest of the party were milling in the morning sunshine, awaiting the arrival of the carriages. There was Captain von Prett, ever-correct in buckskins, top boots, and a close-fitting coat of navy blue standing on the lawn and laughing gaily with Miss Hesse, the picture of lovely innocence in a gown of ivory cambric, while Mr Brandon hovered close by. There was Lady Morton, ravishing as always in a novel walking dress of Pomona-green poplin, flicking a small piece of fluff from Hesse’s many-caped driving coat while a peevish Lady Hesse looked on. There was Reeves, standing to attention at the base of the steps, looking on, eyes slightly narrowed at where Pip was examining an unperturbed Lord Dacre through his quizzing glass.

And there, waiting on the bottom step, was Ashford, an expectant air about him, looking up with eyes aglow as Lydia appeared. His expression was smooth and pleasant. Too pleasant.

Lydia narrowed her eyes. The night before, when the party had broken up for bed, Ashford had been the one to hand her a taper candle to take upstairs.

‘Sleep well,’ he had said, with a smile that, upon recollection, she realized had been deeply suspicious.

‘You sleep well,’ she had said in – admittedly immature – riposte.

‘Oh, I shall,’ he assured her.

‘Well, I’m glad.’

At the time, Lydia had felt gratified at stealing the last word. Now, as a breeze ruffled her gown and disturbed another waft of fish from the material, another recollection rose to the forefront of her mind. What had Mr Brandon said the afternoon prior? Once he stuffed rotten eggs under the floorboards of my bedchambers … you would not believe the scent they made!

‘Where have you been, Phoebe?’ Sir Waldo said petulantly, bounding up the stairs toward them. ‘I have been waiting to speak to you.’

Lady Phoebe paused to lend him her ear, and Lydia began to descend without her, her glare intensifying with each step she took.

‘Good morning, Miss Hanworth,’ Ashford said. ‘I hope you enjoyed a restful night?’

Another breeze had ‘eau de fish guts’ drifting from her and Ashford’s neutral expression broke as he tried, unsuccessfully, to bite back a smile as he recoiled.

‘I suppose you think yourself clever,’ Lydia hissed.

‘I have no notion what you mean,’ Ashford said loftily. ‘Though – an entirely unrelated topic – I am not sure that I care for your perfume. New, is it?’

‘I shall make you sorry for this,’ she warned.

‘Perhaps you could do so while standing downwind?’ Ashford asked. ‘I’d be most grateful.’

‘Is everyone ready?’ Lady Phoebe called, skipping down the steps, and clapping her hands to attract everyone’s attention. ‘I think you will like Eagleton; it is—’

‘We can all hear you, my dear,’ Sir Waldo interrupted. ‘No need to shout.’

‘Oh, goodness, was I?’ Lady Phoebe faltered – though Lydia had thought her speaking at quite a normal volume. ‘Well … Eagleton is not the largest of towns, but it has several interesting shops, a splendid jeweller, and a milliner that has the most prodigious array of ribbons.’

‘I do love ribbons,’ Lady Morton said, ‘but I am afraid I have decided to remain here, my lady. I received some correspondence this morning that begs my attention.’

‘Oh,’ Lady Phoebe said, crestfallen. ‘Will you not be terribly bored, all alone? Sir Waldo is seeing to business all day, I’m afraid.’

‘That is true,’ Lady Morton said, with a concerned pout. ‘Unless I can persuade another strapping gentleman to entertain me?’

Her eyes were on the captain, but he had raised his face to enjoy the feeling of the sun upon it and was not attending.

‘I shall,’ Hesse offered eagerly. ‘I have several letters, too – important ones! On important business matters.’

‘Perfect,’ Lady Morton said before Lady Hesse could object. ‘Lady Hesse, you have raised such a kind son, you do have my compliments.’

‘Thank you,’ Lady Hesse said frostily. ‘You know, I am persuaded Cynthia and I shall remain as well. She could do with some quiet. All the excitement is too much for her.’

Miss Hesse smiled vaguely, idly spinning her parasol in her hand.

‘That is half the party gone,’ Lady Phoebe bemoaned.