“And your tenants, too — are they happy?”
“The tenants are never happy,” he said, with a wry grimace. “There is always some complaint. If it is not a leaky roof, it will be damp walls, or a door that hangs badly, and never, ever mention the weather to them, not if you want to be away from there before the end of the century.”
“And can you afford to put these things right? Not the weather, perhaps, but the roofs and doors?”
“Oh, yes, but— You think I should?”
“I think that if you have contented tenants and stewards, they will work better, and that means that the land will be more productive. Mama always said that if the kitchen maids and footmen were contented, a house will run more smoothly, and I should think the same rule would apply to estates. Do you not agree, Osborn?”
“I do!” And almost as quick as blinking, the lighthearted man was back. “Thank you, fair ghost, for your words of otherworldly wisdom. And now I am going to move that dish out of your reach, for there is a serious risk you will turn into a raspberry cream, and who then will advise me how to go on?”
“But I like raspberry creams.”
“Do you really? I would never have guessed it. After all, you have just eaten five of them.”
“I have not! It is only four.”
“Five.”
“Four, and they are only a mouthful so I could manage one more.”
Laughing, he slid the dish back to her, allowed her to take one, then pushed the dish away again. “That is a big difference between you and Izzy. She only ever played with her food, but you eat properly.”
“Is it—” she mumbled, her mouth full of raspberry cream, before she remembered her manners and swallowed first. “Is it proper for a lady to eat five raspberry creams at a sitting?”
“Six.”
“Oh! You… you…!”
He laughed at her, and shook his head. As Lady Harraby rose to lead the ladies out of the room, Olivia felt she had indeed made a friend, or an extra brother, perhaps. And for an hour or two, she had not thought at all about murder or illegitimacy or poor Granny.
Lady Esther drew her aside into a quiet corner of the drawing room. “Goodness, there is a dreadful draught from that window. How sensible you were to bring a thick shawl down with you. Perhaps we should move nearer to the fire, but everyone else is there and we cannot talk so easily.”
“Shall I fetch a shawl for you, ma’am?”
“Oh… what a thoughtful girl you are! Thank you. In the chest of drawers, third drawer down on the left. The green woollen one. It will not match this gown, but in a draughty house like this, one would rather be warm than stylish, I feel.”
When she returned, and Lady Esther had disposed the shawl about her shoulders, she said, “This is an interesting development, Olivia. Do you think we should abandon your original plan and look elsewhere?”
“Lord Kiltarlity? He is a dreadful rattle. Papa called him a fribble.”
“But he likes you.”
“No, he likesIzzy. His only interest in me is that I remind him of her.”
Lady Esther nodded thoughtfully. “But something might come of that, and his mother made it clear to me that he is looking for a wife. The last of her sons, and the heir presumptive is a very distant cousin. I greatly approved of your original plan,as you know, for I firmly believe a girl should aim as high as she can, and in your case… Olivia, I do not scruple to tell you that I long to be the instigator of a great match. One of the advantages of my marriage, I felt, was that Mr Franklyn had a daughter of the perfect age for me to mould into a lady and settle successfully. Well, Beatrice has gone her own way, and I am happy for her, but she was not an easy girl to mould. Whereas you… you are a born lady, with your delicate ways and perfect manners. I never have to remind you not to slouch, and of course you have the looks. You are every bit the equal of Lady Farramont, and you have the same ability to sparkle in company, but without the restlessness that characterised her. That is why I was delighted to offer to help you, even though I should probably be at home preparing for Beatrice’s wedding just now.”
“And I appreciate it, truly I do, Lady Esther. I was so miserable trapped at home all the time, and Papa and Aunt Alice were not very encouraging. It cheers me up so much to be in company again, and meeting new people, even if…heis not here.”
“You see? Perfect manners. But here we have a charming earl who clearly likes you, and perhaps a charming earl who is looking to marry is a better target for our efforts than a marquess who may be a much tougher nut to crack.”
“I do not think you should pin any hopes on Lord Kiltarlity. He was one of Izzy’s most ardent suitors, desperately in love with her, and he sees me only as a pale shadow of her. That intrigues him, but I amnotIzzy, and as soon as he realises that, he will be disappointed and move on. I find him amusing, but I cannot take him seriously. I believe we should keep to the original plan. Sinceheis not here, we need not stay more than a few days.”
“Very well. I cannot fault your ambition. I shall find out where the gentleman in question has gone, and in the meantime,you have a few days to enjoy the attentions of your rattle. And if he should care to advance his interest with you, he knows where you live.”
***
“What are you about, Kiltarlity? I sincerely hope we are not to be treated to a repeat of the nightmare of five years ago.”
