The Major and the Country Miss. Dorothy Elbury

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СКАЧАТЬ nasty!’ returned his friend, with a sympathetic grimace. ‘Nevertheless, if my impression of Lady Letitia is anything to go by, the poor lass is sure to have the benefit of the best of treatments.’

      The viscount gave an emphatic nod. ‘Quite right, too!’ he exclaimed. ‘The welfare of our employees has always been high on the list of Mater’s priorities. Although, to be fair, Georgie’s pretty amazing too, as a matter of fact. She’d grabbed a hold of a teacloth and a tub of ice and had a cold compress on the girl’s foot before any of us could say “Jack Robinson”!’

      Maitland sipped thoughtfully at his ale. ‘Seems a very pleasant girl, your cousin,’ he ventured, almost carelessly. ‘Would have thought she’d have been snapped up by now!’

      The viscount was silent for a moment. ‘Mmm, well, you might think so,’ he said, eventually. ‘She’s an absolute gem, is our little Georgie. Don’t care to talk about the lady behind her back, but the fact is that she suffered a severe disappointment some years back and now does her damnedest to keep all the fellows at bay—still carrying the proverbial torch, if you want my opinion—not that any of us ever mention the subject, of course,’ he added hastily.

      ‘Nuff said,’ acknowledged his friend while, at the same time, finding himself thinking that it was clear that the unaccommodating suitor, whoever he was, must have been in dire need of having his head examined.

      While the two men were conversing, the servants had been setting up trestle tables and laying out a selection of cold meats, raised pies, platters of fruit and other mouth-watering delicacies. Chairs were brought out for the older members of the party, whilst rugs and cushions were thrown on the grass for those youngsters who might wish to avail themselves of them. Shortly afterwards, a footman appeared on the terrace striking a gong, signalling to those guests still in the furthest reaches of the grounds that luncheon was about to be served. In answer to the summons, the ongoing games of cricket, tennis and croquet were brought to a swift close, couples ceased their aimless wanderings about the gardens, and everyone began to make their way back towards the terrace area.

      Triumphantly waving the piece of paper that he held in his hand, the Honourable Jeremy sauntered over to join his cousin. ‘What a creature!’ he breathed. ‘So talented and such rare insight!’

      Catching hold of the paper, which he quickly recognised as a page torn from a sketchbook, Maitland found himself staring at a remarkably well-executed likeness of Fenton.

      ‘One of Miss Highsmith’s, I collect?’ he said, feeling not a little put out that his rather dandified cousin had apparently captured Stephanie’s undivided attention with such apparent ease.

      ‘You should consider yourself highly honoured,’ grinned Catford, as he leaned across and studied the sketch. ‘Steffi usually only bestows those on her favourites.’

      ‘Do you say so!’ Fenton beamed, carefully rolling up the paper and tucking it into the inside pocket of his jacket, an action that caused Maitland considerable astonishment, knowing, as he did, his cousin’s normally fastidious attention to the smooth, uncluttered line of his dress. ‘I shall treasure it always! And, now, gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I am commissioned to select a few tasty morsels for the lady’s enjoyment!’

      ‘Well, he certainly seems to have found favour with our little beauty,’ remarked Catford, as the Honourable Jeremy drifted off towards the refreshment tables. ‘Wonder how long that little caper will last?’

      Maitland frowned. It was not like his friend to cast disparaging remarks about a member of the opposite sex. ‘Steady on, Cat!’ he protested. ‘That’s a touch near the knuckle, surely!’

      ‘If you had been acquainted with the delectable Miss Highsmith for as many years as I have, Will,’ observed the viscount, with a wry smile, ‘you, too, might have learnt to be a little sceptical—I do hope that you were not thinking of casting out a lure in that particular direction!’

      ‘Well, you have to admit that she is rather dazzling,’ returned his friend, giving a slightly self-conscious shrug.

      The viscount stared across at him, his forehead puckered in dismay. ‘Keep away, old chap, if you value your sanity!’ he cautioned. ‘There’s not a fellow in the vicinity who hasn’t fallen under her spell—have to admit that I went down the same road myself, a few years back. Luckily, I soon found out that the adorable Miss Highsmith enjoys nothing better than playing off her admirers one against the other—take a look, if you’re disinclined to believe me!’

      Not entirely convinced by Catford’s friendly words of caution, Maitland allowed his eyes to travel across to where the object of their discussion sat, still surrounded by half-dozen or so eager gallants. But then, as he registered the mischievous way in which she smilingly reached out a finger to chuck one man under his chin whilst, at the same time, fluttering her long, curling lashes over his shoulder at another, it became horribly clear to him that the viscount’s ruthless shredding of Stephanie’s character had been entirely justified.

      Stifling a pang of regret for all those earlier hopes and dreams that had, all too quickly, crumbled into dust, Maitland silently cursed himself for allowing his usual good sense to be swayed by the sight of a pretty face. Offering up a prayer of thanks to his lucky stars for his friend’s most timely warning, he resolved to put aside all thoughts of romance and apply himself to the job in hand—namely, the search for young Étienne Billingham, always supposing that the unfortunate lad had survived his birth.

      However, since it was clear that any attempt to hurry Fenton away from Stephanie’s side at this juncture was likely to meet with fierce resistance and, uncomfortably aware that he was obliged to rely upon the clearly besotted Jeremy for his own transport back to the inn, Maitland realised that he had no choice but to wait until his cousin decided the moment of their departure. And, since the unexpected set-back to his own romantic hopes had somewhat diminished his appetite, he declined Catford’s invitation to join the family for luncheon and, somewhat disconsolately, wandered off into the lower reaches of the gardens, towards the lake.

      As the noisy hubbub of conversation and laughter began to fade into the distance, to be replaced by the rather more agreeable sounds of rippling water and birdsong, his inner turmoil gradually lessened and he could feel his mind growing calmer with every step. Pausing only to smile at the antics of the disorderly line of mallard duck chicks, each of them noisily jostling for position in their mother’s wake, he made his way along the path towards the hexagonally shaped summerhouse that he had spotted on the bank a little distance ahead.

      He had barely set his foot onto the bottom step of the building, however, before he became conscious of the fact that he was, clearly, not the only one who had chosen to leave the clamour of the garden party behind them, in search of a moment’s solitude.

      ‘Miss Venables!’ he exclaimed, standing stock-still in the doorway. ‘I beg your pardon! I had no idea that there was anyone here!’

      Georgianne, who had, in fact, been observing Maitland’s leisurely stroll along the lakeside path with a peculiar mixture of panic and excitement, carefully laid down her plate of, as yet, untouched food on to the bench at her side. ‘I fear that you have found me out, Mr Maitland,’ she said, with a rueful smile. ‘I had a sudden urge to get away from all the hullabaloo for a few moments’ peace and quiet on my own.’

      ‘And here I am, depriving you of your well-earned rest!’ grimaced Maitland, stepping back hurriedly and turning to go. ‘Please accept my apologies for having intruded upon your privacy.’

      ‘No, please don’t go, sir!’ begged Georgianne, leaping to her feet. ‘There СКАЧАТЬ