Tavern Wench
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Anne Ashley
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16
Chapter One
‘Confound it, I’m bored!’
Armed with the latest edition of the Morning Post, Fingle slipped quietly into the library in time to catch this astonishing admission, and thought for a moment that he couldn’t possibly have heard aright. His master bored…? Surely not!
The butler stared across the wholly masculine sanctum at the spot where the Honourable Benedict Grantley, his fine physique wrapped in a dazzlingly patterned silk robe, lazed in one of the comfortable winged-chairs. With his feet, encased in a pair of fashionable Turkish slippers, resting on a footstool, he appeared wonderfully relaxed, utterly contented.
‘Feel free to remain by the door for as long as you wish, my good man,’ his master’s deep and faintly amused voice invited. ‘I assure you I’m in no particular hurry to apprise myself of the latest town gossip.’
Smiling to himself, Fingle came forward, not for the first time appreciating that keen perception. Truly, there were occasions when he almost suspected that Mr Grantley did indeed possess a second pair of eyes, located somewhere in the back of his head, for little ever seemed to escape his notice.
‘I do beg your pardon, sir,’ he apologised, placing the journal on the table by one silk-clad elbow. ‘It was just that I thought I heard you utter something as I entered the library, and wasn’t perfectly sure that I could have heard correctly.’
‘You will undoubtedly be relieved to discover that your hearing is not impaired. Ashamed though I am to admit to it, I am finding life quite surprisingly tedious. And the truth of the matter is that I have no one to blame for my present ennui but myself.’
Swinging his long legs to the floor, Benedict rose to his feet and went to stand by the hearth, where he made immediate use of the mantel-shelf by resting one arm along its length. ‘You never knew my father, did you, Fingle?’
‘No, sir. I was denied that pleasure. I believe he passed away the year before I was fortunate enough to attain a position in your household.’
‘No doubt, though, you have discovered much about him.’
Fingle did not attempt to deny it, for he considered that any servant worth his salt should make a point of discovering as much as he could about the person for whom he worked. Consequently he was secretly proud of the fact that there was very little that he did not know about his kindly master.
Mr Grantley’s father, the late Earl of Morlynch, was reputed to have been somewhat erratic by nature; a rakehelly fellow who had brought the family to the brink of ruin on numerous occasions with his excessive gambling. Fortunately, none of his offspring had ever betrayed a weakness for the gaming tables, and his youngest child in particular, although resembling him most strongly in looks, was least like him in character, if common report were to be believed.
‘I was determined from a very young age never to follow in my capricious sire’s footsteps.’ This second unexpected admission interrupted Fingle’s thoughts, and he raised his eyes in time to catch a rueful expression flitting over his master’s striking features. ‘Are you aware that certain members of my family swear that you know precisely where I am to be found at any time of the night or day?’
Although he considered this a slight exaggeration, Fingle, here again, did not attempt to refute it, for the truth of the matter was that it wasn’t in the least difficult to keep track of his master’s movements.
Orderly in mind, and reasonably sober in habits, Mr Grantley rarely altered his routine. When residing in town, he rose at precisely the same hour every morning, and retired at precisely the same time each night. He visited his club on the same days each week, and favoured his mistress with regular visits, on every occasion remaining for precisely the same amount of time. When he accepted an invitation to a party, he would arrive punctually at ten, and would leave no later than two in the morning. Although this practice might occasionally upset certain society hostesses, not one, as far as Fingle was aware, had ever been overheard to complain, for it was generally held to be no mean feat to persuade one of the most eligible bachelors in London to be amongst one’s guests.
‘Be assured, sir, that I would only ever divulge your whereabouts to members of your immediate family and your close friends.’
‘It was not intended as a criticism, Fingle,’ Benedict assured him. ‘And it is a relief to know that, should an emergency arise, you would be aware of precisely where I was to be found.’ He could not prevent a sigh escaping. ‘None the less, that does not alter the fact that, after a dozen or so years of living a well-ordered lifestyle, I am heartily bored with my lot. What I need, of course, to relieve the tedium is the opportunity to indulge in my little hobby.’
A mystery to solve isn’t likely to bring contentment back into your life, Fingle silently countered, as he crossed the room to straighten the curtains. But a wife might possibly do just that.
Never would he have believed it possible that the day would dawn when he would find himself in complete accord with his master’s rather overbearing sister. But, yes, Lady Agnes Fencham was right—it was high time Mr Grantley married.
Fingle was very well aware that his master’s continued bachelor state was purely and simply a matter of choice. Having attained the age of four-and-thirty, Mr Grantley had enjoyed many Seasons in the capital, and yet not one of the beauties who had crossed his path over the years had come, as far as Fingle was aware, remotely close to tempting him to take the matrimonial plunge, which in itself was testament to his master’s strength of character.
For years Mr Grantley had been pursued by countless matchmaking mamas, eager to call him son-in-law. He possessed all the fine qualities any young lady could possibly wish for in a future husband. He was every inch the well-bred gentleman, both affable and charming. His address was excellent, and although he might scorn the use of quizzing glasses, and despise the taking of snuff, he was considered one of the most fashionable members of his class. Furthermore, Mother Nature had seen fit to bestow upon him a well-muscled physique, and a countenance which, although some might not consider it precisely handsome, was blessed with a pair of the most vivid violet-blue eyes, made more striking by dusky lashes and brows, and a shining crop of slightly waving, black hair as yet untouched by any hint of silver.
The fact that he wasn’t averse to feminine company made his continued single state more puzzling still, except to those who knew him well. Mr Grantley was a stickler for punctuality and, sadly, there were not too many members of the gentler sex who gave the least consideration to good time-keeping, Fingle mused. And the few who did were, in general, more mature in years, or were dreaded bluestockings, a species that Mr Grantley did not hold in the highest esteem.
His musings this time were interrupted by the sound of the door-knocker being applied with quite unnecessary vigour. The whole of the polite world knew that Mr Grantley never made calls, nor wished to receive any for that matter, before two o’clock.
‘Be assured, sir, I shall send whoever it is on his way.’
Having every faith in his butler to do just that, Benedict resumed his seat, and was about to reach for the newspaper, when he clearly detected the murmur of voices filtering through from the hall; evidence enough that the enterprising caller had somehow managed to cross the threshold.
Not for long did Fingle remain in danger of toppling from that supreme position he held amongst the very best of major-domos, for a moment later the library door was thrown wide, and a very familiar, fresh-faced young gentleman, with a decidedly devil-may-care attitude about him, came striding cheerfully into the room.
‘What’s this? Still not dressed, Uncle! You’re turning into a right slug-a-bed! You’ll be old before your time.’
Needless to say, this piece of rank impertinence didn’t precisely compensate for the interruption of his sacrosanct period of solitude, a fact which Benedict was not reticent in making perfectly plain. ‘What the devil do you mean by coming here at this time of day, you obnoxious whelp?’ he demanded to know before something swiftly occurred to him. ‘And what the deuce are you doing in town in the middle of May, come to that?’ He frowned suspiciously up at his nephew. ‘Been up to some lark, and been sent down, I do not doubt.’
An expression somewhere between sheer devilment and comical dismay flickered over the Honourable Harry Fencham’s boyishly handsome features. ‘Nothing but a bit of harmless tomfoolery,’ he assured his favourite relative. ‘All will be forgiven and forgotten in a week or so. I’ll be allowed back in the autumn.’
Without waiting to be asked, Harry went across to the decanters and helped himself to a glass of his uncle’s fine wine, before seating himself in the chair opposite the man whom he had always considered to be the very best of good fellows. ‘Anyway, you ought to feel grateful that I did take the trouble to pay you a visit. Came here especially to warn you that Mama intends to inflict her company upon you some time during the day, and that she’ll have donned her matchmaking mantle.’
There was just a suspicion of a twitch at the corner of Benedict’s well-formed, masculine mouth. ‘Loath though I am to interfere in matters that are really none of my concern, I’ll do my very best to advise your beloved mama that she really ought to wait a year or two, until you’ve acquired a little town polish, before attempting to persuade you to take the matrimonial plunge.’
Harry almost choked. ‘Not me! It’s you she’s intent on seeing leg-shackled. I think she’s invited almost every eligible female in London to her ball next week.’ He shrugged. ‘Mind, I’ve already told her she’s wasting her time… Who’d want to be tied for life to a walking timepiece?’
Blue eyes narrowed. ‘I can recall on one or two occasions taking a birch rod to you, Nephew. It would appear that I didn’t indulge in the exercise nearly often enough.’
A chortle of wicked masculine laughter echoed round the book-lined room. ‘I remember very well that occasion when I stayed with you at Fairview, and sought to prove my equestrian skills by attempting to ride that prize hunter you had at the time. Lord, didn’t you make me smart!’ Harry confessed, quite without rancour. ‘And speaking of Fairview… I don’t suppose you’d care to have a break from town life, and take a bolt into the country for a week or two? I shouldn’t object in the least to bearing you company.’
‘Oh, wouldn’t you, you impudent young pup!’ Benedict responded, concealing quite beautifully the fact that the prospect of spending a brief period at his country home with his nephew didn’t displease him. ‘Well, I just might consider it. In the meantime…’ he rose from the chair in one swift and graceful movement ‘…I shall change my attire so that I am not at a total disadvantage when I am forced to face your formidable mama.’
A hint of respect flickered in young eyes. ‘You’re the only one who does stand up to her. Which reminds me…’ Tossing back his wine, Harry followed his uncle into the hall. ‘I’d better not be here when she calls, otherwise she’ll know I came to warn you. If I don’t run across you before, I’ll see you at the ball on Friday, and you can let me know then what you’ve decided about returning to Hampshire.’
Although not prepared to commit himself one way or the other quite yet, Benedict was rather taken with the idea of breaking his routine, and not remaining in town until the Season had come to an end. He had always had a special fondness for his young nephew, possibly because he was the only male amongst the tribe of females both his sister and his brother Giles, together with their respective partners, had managed to produce during the past twenty-odd years, and the likelihood of doing a spot of shooting, fishing, and riding in young Harry’s congenial company was becoming increasingly more tempting than remaining in town.
An hour later, appearing as usual the epitome of sartorial elegance, Benedict returned to his library, ready to receive the steady stream of visitors who invaded his fashionable town house most afternoons. He had only just seated himself behind the large mahogany desk, intending to deal with some correspondence while awaiting the arrival of his first caller, when he clearly heard the door-knocker for the second time that day. Having been forewarned, he expected to see his sister—one of the few females of his acquaintance who had any respect for time—sweep majestically into the room, and was faintly surprised to see his faithful henchman enter.
‘Begging your pardon, sir, but there is a lady wishing to see you.’
Benedict swiftly noticed the faintly puzzled expression. It was a well-known fact that Fingle, after just one glance, could pinpoint a person’s station in life in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred with uncanny accuracy. Evidently this was one of those rare occasions when his superb intuition was letting him down.
‘What—er—sort of female, Fingle?’
‘Oh, definitely not that sort, sir,’ the butler responded, not slow to follow his astute master’s train of thought. ‘Very respectable, I should say, even though she is quite unattended. Gave her name as one Mrs Lavinia Hammond.’ He saw the slight frown. ‘She said in all probability you wouldn’t remember her, sir. From what she tells me, she is a friend of Lady Fencham’s, and knew you very well when you were a boy. Her father was a certain Colonel Penrose, by all accounts.’
Memory stirred. ‘Ah, yes! Lavinia Penrose. Yes, show her in, Fingle.’
Although the name was certainly known to him, Benedict would never have recognised the neatly dressed, middle-aged lady who entered a few seconds later had he passed her in the street. Seemingly, she sensed this at once, for she was not slow to remark, as she came forward to clasp his outstretched hand in both of hers, ‘It is so very good of you to see me, sir, considering I must appear now a total stranger. You were only a boy when I married and moved away from Kent, but I would have known you anywhere. You have a great look of your father about you.’
‘I clearly recollect your rescuing me from more than one scrape in my formative years, when I had earned your strict father’s severest displeasure.’ Another memory stirred, as he studied the neatness of her mourning attire. ‘My sister did, I remember, inform me of your sad loss, Mrs Hammond. May I offer my sincerest condolences.’
There was more than a faint hint of sadness in the dark eyes which gazed up at him. ‘Thank you, sir. And I suppose my husband’s unexpected demise is in part responsible for my coming here to see you today.’ She appeared suddenly more troubled than sad. ‘Although, if I am honest, I cannot say why I’m imposing on you in this foolish way, except…except I could think of no one else who might be able to help me come to terms…help me to understand certain recent events.’
‘You are not imposing in the least,’ he assured her, ever the polite gentleman. ‘Please do sit down. May I offer you a glass of ratafia, or Madeira, perhaps?’
Although readily accepting the offer of a chair, she declined any refreshment. ‘I mustn’t take up too much of your time, sir. Besides which, I must return to my hotel within the hour to be ready to make the homeward journey. I was very kindly offered a seat in the carriage of some very good friends of mine who, luckily, were making the trip to London. They wish to be back in Andover in time for supper, and I must not keep them waiting.’
Benedict made himself comfortable in the chair opposite. He had not seen his unexpected visitor in over twenty years. She and her father had been his family’s nearest neighbours, and from girlhood she had always been a very close friend of his sister’s. When his sister had married Lord Fencham, Lavinia Penrose had paid far fewer visits to the Grantley family’s ancestral home. She too had been married later that same year and had moved away from Kent. Apart from the fact that she had married a country practitioner, and had made her home somewhere in the West Country, he knew next to nothing about the life she had led since leaving Kent. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, however, he retained a memory of a sensible female. So, unless she had changed to a great extent, he could only assume that it was something of the gravest concern which had brought her here.
‘In that case, ma’am, how may I be of service to you?’ Benedict prompted, when she began to twist the strings of her reticule somewhat nervously round her fingers.
‘You are probably not aware of it, sir, but I reside in a village in the heart of rural Wiltshire, not too far distant from Salisbury,’ she began after a moment’s quiet deliberation. ‘Possibly the most influential family in the area is one by the name of Ashworth. Lord Ashworth, as you may or may not recall, died just a few months before my husband. There was nothing mysterious in that. Lord Ashworth had suffered poor health for some time, and as he had produced no legal heir, everyone quite naturally assumed the title would pass on to his cousin Cedric.’
Benedict frowned. ‘I seem to remember that there was some dispute over that.’
‘Yes, sir, there is indeed,’ his visitor confirmed. ‘Lord Ashworth had a younger brother. I’m afraid I know little about him, as he had left England many years before I went to live in Ashworth Magna.’ She shrugged. ‘One can only suppose that his family, never having heard from him again, must have assumed that he had died during his travels abroad.’
‘Evidently he did not.’
‘No, sir, he did not, at least not for several years,’ Mrs Hammond divulged. ‘Seemingly he decided to visit America and, soon afterwards, met and married a young woman from an influential Boston family. I am reliably informed that he did, in fact, return to this country with his wife who, I understand, gave birth to a son whilst here. Sadly both George Ashworth and his wife died, and the boy was sent back to America to be raised by his maternal grandfather. Apparently a search has been undertaken to locate his whereabouts. If, indeed, he is still alive, he is the rightful heir.’
‘And if he is found to be hale and hearty, it will be a bitter blow to Cedric.’ Benedict remarked, not without experiencing a feeling of wicked satisfaction. He did not hold Mr Cedric Ashworth in particularly high esteem, and liked his pompous son, Percy, even less.
‘You are perhaps acquainted with him, sir?’
‘Slightly, yes.’ He regarded her in silence for a moment. ‘I do not immediately perceive how I can possibly help in this matter. Locating the whereabouts of the rightful heir is the responsibility of the Ashworth family’s legal advisors.’
‘Of course it is, sir. And I would never dream of asking you to interfere in such a matter,’ Mrs Hammond hurriedly assured him, before her eyes once again were shadowed by sadness. ‘No, what I was hoping to persuade you to do on my behalf is to discover whether there is more to my husband’s death than—than at first there appeared to be. He—he was believed to have been set upon by footpads, whilst he was out one evening paying a visit to a friend, and was bludgeoned to death.’
‘I know, and I’m very sorry. My sister did tell me,’ he responded gently. Although he had never met the late Dr Hammond personally, Benedict had heard his sister Agnes say much to the good doctor’s credit over the years, and was very well aware that Agnes’s regard was not easily won. ‘What makes you suppose that he wasn’t merely the unfortunate victim of some violent attack?’
‘Because of a conversation I had just three weeks ago with a certain Miss Evadne Spears, a woman who used to be employed in the Ashworth household—first as a governess, then more recently as a sort of companion to the late Baron’s daughter, and his sister who also resides at the Hall.’
‘Were you well acquainted with this woman?’ he asked when his visitor fell silent.
‘Not really, no. Naturally, I would see her in church on Sundays, and from time to time when I was invited to dine at Ashworth Hall, but that was all. So, as you can imagine, I was rather surprised when quite by chance our paths crossed in Salisbury one morning, whilst she was awaiting the arrival of the stage to London. Apparently she intended paying a short visit to her sister who had been unwell. She seemed in a most troubled state, and was a little incoherent for much of the time, mumbling something about paying a visit to Bow Street whilst she was in the capital, and informing them of her suspicions.’
‘And what precisely was preying on her mind?’ Benedict prompted when his visitor once again fell silent.
‘Well, sir, she seemed to imagine that the young heir’s life was in danger. She also kept muttering something about evil in the Ashworth household, and the death of a young maidservant a few months before being no accident. Then, just before she left, she gave me the distinct impression that she thought there was more to my husband’s death than one might have supposed.’
‘And did you believe her?’
‘Not immediately, no. As I’ve already mentioned, she seemed in a highly nervous state, as though she feared for her own life.’ She raised her eyes to his. ‘And with good reason, sir, as things have turned out. I’ve recently discovered that during her stay here, she was run down by a carriage, and killed outright. I did consider calling at Bow Street myself to discover if, in fact, she had paid a visit there, but then I began to think that I might not be taken seriously.’
Being very much the gentleman, Benedict refrained from suggesting that, in all probability, this would have turned out to be the case. Instead, he asked why Miss Spears simply didn’t inform the local authorities of any suspicions she might have been harbouring.
‘I’m not certain, but I would imagine it was because the local magistrate, Sir Lionel Brent, is a close friend of the Ashworth family.’ Mrs Hammond watched those shapely black brows draw together. ‘Are you perhaps acquainted with Sir Lionel, sir?’
‘Yes, I am. He’s a member of my club. A worthy gentleman, I would have said.’
‘Indeed he is, sir. He was a friend of my late husband’s and has been immensely kind to me in recent months. None the less, Evadne Spears was right about one thing—there was certainly something suspicious surrounding the death of that young maid up at the Hall. After our chance meeting in Salisbury, I returned home and went into my late husband’s study, where I spent some time reading through his personal diaries. In the most recent one I discovered an entry which states clearly enough that he was not happy about certain aspects of that young servant girl’s demise.’
When Benedict failed to comment, Mrs Hammond rose to her feet. ‘I’m sorry, sir. I shouldn’t be wasting your time with this… It was just that I remembered Agnes mentioning once that you had had some success in solving one or two cases in recent years which had confounded the authorities.’
Benedict’s attractive mouth curled into a crooked half-smile, as he too rose. ‘Well, my dear sister was certainly correct about that. And you haven’t been wasting my time, Mrs Hammond. I have found what you’ve told me most interesting, and will be delighted to look into the matter on your behalf.’
He noticed the faintly sceptical glint in her dark eyes, as though she suspected him of mere gallantry. ‘Believe me, your visit has come at a most opportune time,’ he assured her. ‘I was beginning to feel decidedly bored with town life, and a spell in the country is precisely what is required to restore my flagging spirits. Unfortunately, I cannot leave London until the end of next week,’ he continued, after moving across to his desk to consult his own diary. ‘My sister is holding a ball on Friday, and my life would not be worth living if I should dare to miss that.’
His visitor frankly laughed. ‘Indeed it would not, sir. And neither would mine, if ever Agnes discovered that I was responsible for you missing the event. My time is limited, and I shall be unable to pay her a visit on this occasion, so perhaps you would pass on my warmest regards.’
‘Yes, of course. I know time is pressing,’ he announced, arresting her progress across to the door, ‘but there is just one small service you could perform on my behalf before next week. I am not at all familiar with your part of the world, even though my country home is situated in a bordering county. However, it is just a little too far distant for me to stay there. I assume there are plenty of hostelries in Salisbury?’
‘Several very good ones, sir,’ she confirmed, before a thoughtful frown creased her brow. ‘But you could do no better than put up at our local village inn. It has gained something of a reputation in recent years. It is situated quite close to the main route to Exeter, and many travellers now prefer to stay there rather than put up at the busy posting-houses. The rooms are clean and the food is excellent. Emma will certainly take very good care of you, except…’ The frown returned. ‘You could always stay with me. I do have spare rooms.’
‘I would never dream of putting you to the trouble,’ he answered, escorting her to the front door himself. ‘I am likely to be bringing my nephew along. Furthermore, it might be wise if we kept my reason for visiting the locale to ourselves for the time being. No, accommodation at the village inn will suit my purposes very much better, I assure you.’
No sooner had he seen his visitor on her way in a hired carriage, and had returned to the comfort of his sanctum, than the brass knocker sounded again. A moment later the library door swung open and a middle-aged lady, dressed with impeccable taste and in the height of fashion, swept quite unannounced into the room, with all the self-confidence of a female who knew precisely her own worth.
‘Why, Agnes, my dear!’ he exclaimed, with every evidence of delighted surprise. ‘This is a most unexpected pleasure.’
‘Don’t lie, Benedict!’ she returned in her usual forthright manner. ‘If I know anything, that incorrigible son of mine has already paid you a visit to forewarn you.’
A hint of admiration flickered in Benedict’s striking violet-blue eyes. ‘No one could ever accuse you of foolishly not knowing your own offspring, Aggie.’
Anyone observing Lady Fencham, as she seated herself in the chair recently vacated by her lifelong friend, would never have supposed for a moment that she had found this mild praise inordinately gratifying, for her expression since entering the room had not changed. There was a hard, determined set to her lips, and her frown, as she watched her sibling move in that natural, graceful way of his over to the decanters, was manifestly one of staunch disapproval, for her young brother was one of the few people over whom she had never been able to exert the least influence.
She had watched him grow from an endearing, mischievous boy into a gentleman of undeniable intelligence, and undoubted strength of character. Increasingly he had become more set in his ways. Most people considered him solid and dependable, a gentleman who knew his own mind. She, on the other hand, was inclined to think that he had become tiresomely stubborn and selfish, simply because he had no one to consider but himself. Sadly, unless something was done very soon he would join the ranks of those confirmed bachelors—quite beyond the pale!
She was fair-minded enough to admit that it was not entirely his own fault that he had turned out so selfishly intractable. Their mother, after giving birth to several stillborn children, had been delighted when she had managed to produce a second healthy son, and had simply doted on her youngest offspring. Benedict’s winning ways had endeared him to the vast majority of their relations, most especially the females in the family, several of whom had been only too delighted to make him their sole beneficiary. Consequently his wealth, coupled with an undeniably attractive countenance, had placed him amongst the most coveted prizes in the Marriage Mart for the past ten years. Yet he continued to withstand all the many lures cast out to him each Season, determined, it appeared, to preserve his single state. A highly unsatisfactory situation which Lady Fencham was resolved to change at all costs!
Accepting the glass of ratafia he held out to her, she watched him lower his powerful frame into the seat opposite. The slight smile hovering about his attractive mouth was sufficient to convince her that he was under no illusions about precisely why she had made this visit, so she decided, wisely, not to prevaricate.
‘You may possibly recall that in March of this year our brother Giles celebrated his fifty-fourth birthday. I might also remind you that in less than six months you shall attain the age of five-and-thirty.’ She watched the wickedly provocative smile grow more pronounced. ‘I consider it my duty, therefore, to remind you of your obligations in delaying no longer in relinquishing your single state.’
Those shapely dark brows, which held such a fascination for the vast majority of her sex, rose, but Lady Fencham was one of the few women who could withstand her brother’s abundant charm.
‘Come, Benedict, you must appreciate yourself that our sister-in-law is unlikely to have any more children. Why, she is five years my senior!’
‘Steady, Aggie, steady!’ he advised with gentle mockery. ‘You have managed thus far not to reveal your own age.’
‘Will you be serious, Benedict!’ she retorted, determined not to be diverted by her brother’s wickedly winning ways. ‘Everybody knows that I am ten years your senior. My childbearing days are now over, and so are Serena’s, though why she could not have managed to produce one healthy boy amongst five offspring, I cannot imagine. Even I managed to do that.’
‘Yes, very remiss of her,’ he remarked agreeably. ‘Had she obliged you by doing so, it might have spared you this visit today. However,’ he went on before she could give voice to her increasing annoyance at his flippancy, ‘as Giles does not appear to be in the least worried, I do not understand why you should be so concerned. After all, Aggie, even if I go to my grave childless, the name is still secure.’
She regarded him in a mixture of outrage and astonishment. ‘You do not honestly mean to tell me, Benedict, that you would be content to see the title pass to that idiotic cousin of ours? Why, he’s a moonling!’
‘Now that, Aggie, is not only most unkind, but also grossly inaccurate,’ he countered. ‘Lawrence might not be precisely needle-witted, but he certainly isn’t a moonling.’
‘He’s as near one as makes no difference!’ she retorted, before she realised that she had allowed her provoking younger brother to get the better of her yet again. ‘Oh, you are an abominable person, Benedict!’
‘True,’ he agreed cordially. ‘And that is precisely why I could never bring myself to condemn one of your gentle sex to a lifetime of having to put up with my peccadilloes.’
‘That is utter nonsense, and you know it!’ she retorted. ‘Most members of my sex would be only too happy to become Mrs Benedict Grantley. And it isn’t as though you’re averse to female company. Apart from those several delicate vessels who have lived under your protection over the years, you number several females among your close friends.’
‘True. But not one of ’em has ever tempted me into marriage.’
‘But why?’ She raised one gloved hand in a despairing gesture. ‘That is what I do not understand. What on earth are you looking for in a wife?’
With praiseworthy control, he resisted the urge to torment her further, and gazed for a moment into the contents of his glass. ‘I am searching for perhaps a woman who could induce me to change my lifestyle by offering me one with her that I would infinitely prefer. I have yet to meet such a one, Aggie, and it is unlikely I ever shall. But should such a miracle occur, I promise I shall consider very seriously taking the matrimonial plunge.’
Feeling slightly moved by this display of total sincerity, and knowing that to pursue the matter further would avail her nothing, Lady Fencham rose to her feet, smiling a trifle wryly. ‘Well, I can only hope that this very special lady is among my guests on Friday, but I do not hold out much hope.’
‘You’re a sensible woman, Aggie,’ he remarked with a rare display of brotherly affection. ‘And wise, too, not to have ripped up at that young cub of yours for getting himself into a scrape.’
She shrugged. ‘What would be the point of that? He has certainly not been wasting his time whilst he’s been up at Oxford. Besides which, he’d be a rare sort of male indeed if he didn’t indulge in some harmless foolishness on occasions. Even you, Benedict,’ she reminded him with a certain degree of satisfaction, ‘were prone to less sensible behaviour at one time. It might prove most interesting if you were ever tempted to err again. But, as you are now an absolute stickler for the proprieties, and never act without due consideration, I do not hold out much hope.’
‘Very wise, my dear. Although it might surprise you to know that I am tempted to alter my routine in the near future, take Harry off your hands for a week or two and drag him into the country, if he still wishes to accompany me.’
‘I think you know the answer to that already. You’ve always been a firm favourite of his.’
She chose not to add that it was likewise with her.
