‘Miss Deighton.’
Frustrated, resentful and rightly so, she paused and turned, seeing Lord Randolph’s steward walking toward her, looking at her with shrewd, impassioned eyes.
‘You are angry, I can see, and I cannot blame you. His Lordship can be overbearing at times and it is often unsettling to those who do not know him. He is authoritative and firm—indeed...’ he chuckled ‘...I believe he forgets he is no longer at his place of business, but he has many tender sentiments, too.’
The subject of their conversation entered the hall and marched over to them with long strides.
‘You are angry, Miss Deighton.’
‘With good reason, Lord Randolph. I do not like your attitude.’
‘She does not like my attitude, Berkley! Fancy that!’
‘That is apparent, sir.’
‘Little wonder your sister has run away.’
‘She has not run away. She has eloped with your rascal of a brother.’
‘It is the same thing.’
‘Not to me it isn’t.’
‘Rascal, you say—as well as being silver-tongued and a scamp.’
‘Indeed he is.’
‘He is frequently cocky, I grant you, and all charm—’
‘Exactly. They are always the worst,’ she replied drily.
He raised his eyebrows. ‘I am surprised. Tucked away at Beckwith Manor, how could you possibly know that?’
She cast him a look of icy disdain. ‘It’s really none of your affair. You know nothing about me. I am not here to talk about myself. I told you. I will leave for London first thing in the morning.’
‘I can appreciate your concern, but you cannot embark on this mad escapade alone.’
‘Yes, I can.’
‘Allow me to advise you to forget this foolish notion.’
‘Advice?’ she gasped. ‘If I wanted advice, you would be the last person I would ask.’ A flush of anger had spread over her cheeks and icy fire smouldered in the depths of her eyes. ‘This is my business, as well as yours. You cannot stop me going after them if I so wish.’
‘Miss Deighton, you are being quite unreasonable.’
‘Unreasonable? Because I am concerned about my sister?’
‘Then think about the impropriety of travelling alone with me to London.’
‘My reputation is the last thing I am thinking about just now.’
‘Ladies don’t travel alone and certainly not with a single gentleman.’
‘I have little time to even think of being a lady so I wouldn’t know.’
‘Your father didn’t help when he left you and your sister to fend for yourselves. What would he have to say about you travelling alone in a closed carriage with a Randolph all the way to London?’
‘His condemnation would not be as severe as it will be should he find he has a Randolph for a son-in-law.’
‘And you do not consider your virtue an important issue?’
She met his eyes head on. ‘How do you know your own virtue is not in greater peril than mine, Lord Randolph?’
He laughed softly. ‘Now that would be an issue. Since you have little care for your reputation, Miss Deighton, I concede. Tomorrow I leave for London—you may accompany me if you wish. I leave early, at sun-up. I will call at Beckwith Manor. I will not wait so be ready if you are to come with me.’
His manner was serious now. Jane’s desolation vanished and was replaced by a tremulous sense of thankfulness. He would help her after all. She studied him more closely. The mocking, jaunty manner and audacious good looks were undoubtedly deceiving. She would have liked to tell him to go to the devil, that she wouldn’t accompany him anywhere, but common sense and desperation to find her sister told her not to argue.
He followed her down the steps to her waiting horse. Spike got to his feet and wagged his tail.
‘You came alone?’
‘As you see,’ she replied primly.
‘You court danger riding alone when night is falling. The tracks back to your home are rough and not meant to be ridden in the dark.’
‘And not to be undertaken by a woman, I think you mean,’ Jane said, hoisting herself up into the saddle.
‘You said it. I did not.’
Janes face tightened and she gave him a frigid stare from atop her horse, holding the reins tightly. ‘For your information, Lord Randolph, I have ridden such tracks many times at all times of the day and night. In fact, I could ride them blindfold. I value my freedom, the freedom to do as I please—a desire which is sufficiently met when I ride out alone.’
‘Be that as it may, but you should have more concern for your own safety. Have you no sense at all?’
‘Apparently not and I cannot for the life of me think why you should make it your concern. Good night, Lord Randolph. I will be waiting for you tomorrow at first light.’
Copyright © 2021 by Helen Dickson
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ISBN-13: 9780369711083
Captivating the Cynical Earl
Copyright © 2021 by Catherine Tinley
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Captivating the Cynical Earl Page 27