At first, it was nothing but civil niceties — polite enquiries as to the improvements at Strathinver, and whether he planned to reopen the house in town, but then he added, “You seem to get along rather well with my sister.”
Robert had taken little notice of the girl on his other side, apart from the usual courtesies. He had not neglected her, but set against the manifold charms of Olivia, she could hardly compete.
Cautiously, wondering where this was leading, he replied, “Miss Grayling is an agreeable dinner companion.”
Grayling smiled. “She is! And pretty as a flower — would you not agree?”
“Very pretty, yes.” No lie needed there.
The baron swirled his port thoughtfully. “She seems very taken with you. Chatters on about you constantly.”
“She does?” he said blandly.
“Mm. But then you could always charm the ladies, Kiltarlity, even in the days when you were merely the youngest of the brood, with no prospect of the title. But now…” He hesitated, eyeing Robert speculatively.
Robert understood now what was being said. Miss Grayling fancied being the Countess of Kiltarlity, that was the long and the short of it. Well, she would be disappointed in that, but still, it was an opportunity to make use of Grayling. Robert couldnot be everywhere, and another pair of eyes to keep watch on Embleton and protect him from Olivia would be useful.
He decided to help Grayling along.
“The title changes everything, of course. Having never had the expectation of it, I felt myself to be… free of restraint. Free of responsibility. But now, I have to take my position seriously and consider the future.”
“Indeed. As we must all do, those of us who have the honour to inherit a noble title.”
“My mother is urging me to marry sooner rather than later,” Robert said, grasping the nettle firmly. “It would be sensible… secure the succession, and so forth. I cannot put it off indefinitely. I suppose I shall have to put myself about next spring. ”
Grayling smiled. “Indeed. But perhaps circumstances might resolve the matter rather sooner than that, if you should happen to meet the right lady.”
“That would certainly be convenient,” Robert said neutrally.
“Sarah only has five thousand — that is all I can spare, but you have no need for a large dowry, have you? And she has other attractions that amply compensate. I do not think that is merely my fondness as a brother speaking.”
“No, she is a delightful girl,” Robert said. “I have no objection to getting to know her better, to see if anything develops.”
“She is an affectionate little creature,” Grayling said with a smile, thinking the game won.
“I have a small difficulty, however,” Robert said. “You have met Lady Olivia Atherton? She is an ambitious little minx, and is determined to get her claws into Embleton. I came here with the intention of keeping him out of her clutches, but I cannot do that if I am to direct my attention towards Miss Grayling.”
“Embleton can look after himself, I should have thought,” Grayling said, looking amused. “He has been heir to thedukedom from birth, so he must be aware that he is the biggest prize on the market, and have ways to protect himself.”
“Oh, I am sure he does, but even a marquess is no match for a determined girl of eighteen, and they have been somewhat thrown together lately. I should not want him to succumb to any underhand tactics.”
“Hmm.” Grayling refilled their glasses. “I could undertake to distract the young lady, if that would help, Kiltarlity?”
It was not quite what Robert wanted, for Grayling was exactly the sort of handsome, smooth-talking man that an unsophisticated girl of eighteen might fall for, and that would be a disaster. Not that Grayling was the marrying sort. He had kept a string of mistresses over the years, and boasted that no one woman was enough for him. Still, it would keep Olivia away from Embleton.
“That would be a kindness, Grayling.”
Grayling grinned wolfishly. “No penance, certainly. A lively little creature, quite charming, and so young and fresh. I love them young, do not you?”
“No foolishness, Grayling,” Robert said in sudden alarm. “She is the daughter of an earl, after all, with three brothers.”
Grayling chuckled. “You are quick to spring to her defence, my friend. If you had not just described her as‘an ambitious little minx’, I might suspect you of an interest there yourself. But fret not. I know her brothers, and some of her cousins, too, so I know she is well protected, and seduction of innocents has never been my game. But a little flirtation — yes, that would be amusing.”
Robert was left wondering if he had made a huge mistake in pushing Olivia into the clutches of a practised rake like Grayling.
11: Captain Edgerton Has A Theory
Captain Michael Edgerton returned to Corland Castle in an optimistic frame of mind. He had seen the newly married Mr and Mrs Bertram Atherton settled at a secret location, with instructions not to leave for at least a month, an order with which they seemed perfectly inclined to comply. The protective body-guard had been drilled in the necessary discipline to ensure that no assassin could get near to Mr Bertram, and the servants were equally on the alert. Michael was satisfied.
