His Convenient Marchioness. Elizabeth Rolls

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СКАЧАТЬ didn’t quite roll her eyes. ‘Mother, they have their livelihoods to earn.’

      Louisa stared. ‘What on earth has that to say to anything?’

      Emma reached for patience. ‘All that will happen is that Mr Adams, who is my landlord, will tell Roger to get out of the way.’ In fact, she thought the stonemason would probably tell Roger to go to hell. She ushered Louisa over the threshold. ‘Welcome, Mother.’

      The children had disappeared, but a stifled gasp from upstairs told her that at least one pair of small ears was flapping.

      Bessie appeared in the kitchen doorway. ‘Tea, mum?’ She cleared her throat. ‘I can see as how ye’ve got a special guest.’

      ‘Yes, Bessie.’ Emma knew exactly what the maidservant was asking; should she re-use the breakfast tea leaves, or use fresh? ‘A very special guest—my mother, Lady Dersingham.’

      ‘Oh, well, I’m sure I’m pleased ter meet yer ladyship.’ Bessie dropped a very respectful curtsy.

      Louisa looked pained. ‘Yes, yes, my good woman.’

      Quelling an insane desire to laugh, or just scream, Emma said, ‘A nice cup of tea will be most welcome, Bessie. And her ladyship’s footman needs to reheat the carriage bricks.’ Difficult to judge who was the most outraged—her mother or the footman. ‘Come into the parlour, Mother.’

      * * *

      Louisa gave a shuddering glance around the parlour. ‘Oh, dear. Emma, please see that Roger brings the tea in. Really! That woman! Of course creatures of that sort never know their place.’ She eyed the battered sofa to which Emma had conducted her with grave suspicion and sat as though she expected it to bite.

      Thinking that Hunt had not shown by as much as a blink that he had noticed her shabby parlour, nor been rude about Bessie, Emma spoke through gritted teeth. ‘Bessie gives complete satisfaction, Mother, and I certainly will not offend her in any way.’

      Louisa closed her eyes and spoke in failing accents. ‘My dear Emma, if I am obliged to set eyes upon that creature again—’

      ‘Then keep them closed.’

      Louisa’s eyes snapped open, all pretence of languor gone. ‘Really, Emma! Is that any way to speak to your mother?’

      ‘This is my house, Mother.’ Emma sat down. ‘What brings you here? You haven’t visited me since Peter died.’ Emma’s fingers curled to fists at the memory. ‘Nor have you acknowledged any of my letters, including the one that informed you we had moved.’

      Louisa dismissed that with an airy wave. ‘I am afraid I am but an indifferent correspondent. I am sure I did write. Perhaps my maid neglected to put a letter out for Dersingham to frank. And really, after the dreadful way you have behaved—!’

      The door opened to admit Bessie bearing a tray. ‘Here we are, mum. Lovely, fresh cuppa. Had the kettle nice an’ hot. Don’t take a minnit, then.’ Adorned in a clean apron, Bessie set the tray on the table. ‘An’ I put a little plate of biscuits besides.’

      ‘Thank you, Bessie.’

      Bessie beamed, addressing herself to Louisa. ‘An’ the bricks is heatin’ up nice on the fire, me lady.’

      Louisa winced. ‘Er...very good.’

      ‘Nippy, it’s turned,’ Bessie said, cheerfully unaware of shibboleths shattered and taboos toppled. ‘Not but what ye’d be as cosy as a bug in that big carriage.’

      ‘Bugs?’ Louisa’s mouth fell open. ‘I assure you, my good woman, there are no bugs in my carriage!’

      A second knock on the front door deflected whatever Bessie might have replied. ‘I dessay that’ll be his lordship, mum.’ She smoothed her apron and hurried out.

      Louisa sank back on the sofa, encountered the very hard back and straightened. ‘For goodness sake, Emma! If you cannot conduct yourself with greater discretion, you cannot wonder—’

      ‘Now, that’s real kind, yer lordship. Reckon me lady’ll be right pleased!’

      Huntercombe’s deep voice responded cheerfully as Louisa shuddered. ‘Whatever possessed you to hire that creature?’

      ‘This way, yer lordship. Me lady’s mam is here, an’ a fine lady she is.’

      Emma bit the inside of her cheek to stop the laughter escaping. ‘High praise, indeed, Mother.’

      The door opened. ‘His lordship, mum,’ Bessie announced. ‘An’ I’ll bring another tea cup as quick as quick.’

      Hunt strolled into the room, hat and gloves tucked under his arm, Fergus at his heels. His brows lifted at the sight of Louisa, but he smiled at Emma. ‘Lady Emma. How do you do?’ He bowed over her hand.

      ‘Ah, Huntercombe. It is you.’ Louisa’s voice was delicately pained. ‘Rather an odd hour for you to call.’

      Hunt gave Louisa a puzzled glance and said to Emma, ‘I thought this was a perfectly acceptable time to call on Georgie.’ He glanced at the battered old clock on the chimneypiece. ‘I am a little early, I confess.’ He smiled and Emma’s pulse skipped. Oh, foolish! A marriage of convenience was what he wanted. Convenience and some liking and affection. Not this girlish fluttering at the mere sight of him.

      He bowed to Louisa. ‘How do you do, ma’am? Is Dersingham well?’

      ‘Perfectly, thank you.’ Louisa’s brow creased. ‘Who, may I ask, is Georgie? Is that the dog’s name?’

      Hunt simply stared and Emma couldn’t blame him. ‘Georgie is my daughter, Mother. Your granddaughter,’ she added, in case there was any confusion. And couldn’t resist saying, ‘You were invited to her christening over six years ago.’

      Louisa’s mouth pinched. ‘Oh, I dare say. But one has so many things to take up one’s time, I am sure keeping track of—’ She broke off as Bessie came in with another tea cup.

      ‘There y’are, your lordship. Pretty, ain’t it, with all them flowers round the edge.’

      He took it with a smile. ‘Thank you, Bessie. I’m sure the tea will taste even nicer in such a lovely cup. Would you take Fergus to the kitchen with you?’

      Bessie beamed. ‘Oh, yes, yer lordship. Be a pleasure. And proper, fresh tea it is. Made special for her ladyship.’ She bobbed in Louisa’s direction.

      ‘Thank you, Bessie,’ Emma said. ‘Could you please tell Master Harry and Miss Georgie that I am unable to take them for their walk just now?’

      ‘Yes, mum. Come along now, Fergus.’ Bessie curtsied and closed the door behind herself and the dog.

      Emma turned to Hunt. ‘I am so sorry, sir, but we will be unable to go for our walk.’

      There was a faint, a very faint, twinkle in his eye as he handed her the tea cup. ‘Of course you can’t. Not with such a delightful, and I think unexpected, visitor.’

      ‘Quite СКАЧАТЬ