She tossed her head. “It matters not to me whether you choose to agree or approve. I have begun the list and shall continue until I can provide my brother with a number of acceptable names.”
“Most diligent of you.”
“Bah.” She dismissed his comment. “What brings you here, anyway?”
His eyebrow shot up. “My own business actually.”
“Which of course, I shall neither approve nor inquire about. Since, as you so aptly explained, it is your business.”
He chuckled. “Yes, that does put me neatly in my place. Well done Letitia. A hit indeed.” He made the classic fencing gesture, acknowledging the effect of her words. “As a matter of fact, I’m meeting Paul. He should be on the coach from London…” he paused. “And I think it’s just arrived.”
A bustle of activity erupted into the hitherto quiet inn, with several passengers entering, coachmen calling for grooms, and horseshoes clattering on the cobblestones.
Letitia and Harriet moved back, allowing the newcomers space for their belongings and their business with Mrs. Fisher.
One tall man hung back, scanning the room…then smiling as he met James’s gaze.
“Paul.” James held out his hand as the other man walked toward him. “Delightful to see you at last. You’ve been away far too long.”
“Well met, my friend,” Paul’s grip was firm. “’Tis indeed far too long. I look forward to making the acquaintance of my nephew.” He glanced at the ladies. “Miss Letitia. Beautiful as ever.”
“Oh pooh.” She dipped into a brief curtsey. “Rosaline will be so happy to see you, sir.”
“And I’m happy to see you with your maid, Miss. A little respectability at last.” He glanced at Harriet, who dipped a small curtsey.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh not you too…”
He laughed. “Never change, Letitia. You are unique.”
“Unique or not, I must still be on my way. Are you for Ridlington Chase, Paul?”
He shook his head. “Not at this moment. James and I have matters to discuss, which we shall do over one of Mrs. Fisher’s superb lunches. Then he’s promised me a tour of the Hall. I will stay with him there, but I look forward to seeing you all at dinner, if you’ll let Rosaline know I’m here? I promised her it would be sometime this week, but I couldn’t say exactly when.”
Letitia gave him a delighted smile. “I certainly will. She’ll be in alt to know you’ll be with us this evening. You’ll come as well, of course, James?”
“If I’m invited…”
“Silly thing. Of course you are. And you know it, too,” Letitia snorted. “We’ll say goodbye then, and look forward to seeing you this evening.”
Taking their leave, James couldn’t help noticing Paul’s eyes on Harriet.
“An attractive young lady, isn’t she?”
Paul’s head turned quickly, and he smiled. “Indeed yes.” Then his smile faded. “But you know, I could swear I’ve met her somewhere before…”
Unbeknownst to either man, a third pair of eyes remained fixed on Harriet as she departed the inn behind Letitia.
He knew he’d seen her before, and that knowledge served to set his feet on a new and more solid path. He would need to find out everything he could about this village, its residents and most particularly the woman who had hired herself an unlikely maid.
*~~*~~*
They were barely out of earshot of the inn, when Harriet touched her arm. “If you don’t tell me soon what happened, I swear I shall expire right here. In the middle of the road.”
Letitia chuckled. “Well, we definitely must not let that event come to pass.” She cast a quick glance around. “Here. Let’s make use of the bench over there. That way we’ll be able to see if anyone nears us. I’d rather our conversation not be overheard.”
She led Harriet to the seat which some thoughtful person had placed beneath a massive chestnut tree on what served as the Ridlington Village green. Smooth banks of grass led down to where a small stream had been widened into a tiny but attractive pond. Now home to a family of ducks, and the occasional fish that had left its home upstream to venture into new and greater adventures, it was a most pleasant place to rest for a while.
Letitia and Harriet ignored the bucolic delights surrounding them.
