“What else would this be about?” Lady Esther said. “No one runs away in the middle of the night with an unrelated man merely to visit a milliner or take beef broth to the poor.”
“No, but Effie has such a mischievous spirit,” Olivia said. “She like to play games — perhaps this is just an amusing game to her?”
“It will not be so amusing when her reputation is destroyed and her only hope for matrimony is the curate,” Lady Esther said repressively.
Olivia shivered, sending spikes of alarm through Robert.
“Are you chilly, Lady Olivia? Would you not rather be indoors beside the fire?”
“Oh yes, it is a trifle cool out here, but you see we are avoiding Miss Bucknell’s wrath,” she said artlessly.
Lady Esther winced. “I would say, rather, that we are diplomatically retreating. Keeping our heads below the parapet. Not drawing attention to ourselves.”
Robert chuckled. “Inclined to blame you, is she?”
“Not because Effie ran away,” Olivia whispered, “but because we did not tell her. She knew nothing of it until you arrived.”
“Well, I am sorry for that, but she would have found out soon enough,” he said easily. “There she is now, crossing the lawn with Lord Rennington. He will put her in a better humour, I am sure.”
Lady Esther smiled. “Yes, indeed. A pleasing match, and a most gratifying outcome for both of them after all their difficulties.”
“Has Miss Bucknell had difficulties, too?” Olivia said, turning innocent eyes on Lady Esther.
“Well… not exactly, but then… everyone hassomedifficulties in life. How you do take one up, sometimes, Olivia,” Lady Esther said.
“I beg your pardon, ma’am.”
She lowered her head, subdued, and again Robert was on fire to hold her tight and reassure her. After all, it was a sensible question given Lady Esther’s words. He rather wondered about Miss Bucknell’s difficulties himself, which perhaps accounted for her lack of previous suitors, but now, of course, it was impossible to ask.
Quickly he changed the subject, enquiring about Lady Esther’s stepdaughter and her new husband, which kept the conversation in safer channels for some considerable time. A footman came out to see if they wanted anything, and shortly thereafter a pot of tea arrived, and several plates of cake, biscuits and sweetmeats. Robert took a glass of wine, and amused himself by watching Olivia tucking into the cake with enthusiasm, while Lady Esther sipped her tea delicately.
Such a pleasant way to pass the morning. This is what it would be like if he were married to Olivia, except that it would be just the two of them. No need for a chaperon if they were married. There would be endless days like this, sitting companionably on the terrace or beside the fire, and only the occasional intrusion of the outside world to disturb their harmony. And there would be visits to the nursery… goodness, how old that made him feel! To have children of his own would be both a glory and a heavy responsibility.
A murmur of voices broke into this pleasant reverie. The butler emerged onto the terrace accompanied by another man, a well-built man who might have been called handsome were he not scowling so ferociously. The butler gestured towards the corner where Robert and the ladies sheltered, and the man strode towards them. He looked familiar…
“There you are, Esther! What are you doing hiding away out here? The servants have been all over the house looking for you.”
“Ramsey?” Lady Esther said uncertainly. “Whatever are you doing here?”
“Are you serious?” the man said, looming over her. “After a letter such as this?” He waved a crumpled sheet of paper under her nose. “Did you expect that we would all just smile and let it go? I suppose you have been promoting this match, have you? And think yourself very clever, I make no doubt.”
“You mean Charlie? But Ramsey—”
“Of course I mean Charlie! What on earth were you thinking, to let things get to this stage?”
“But they get on so well! So perfectly matched, and Papa has forgiven her so—”
“Honestly, you are the most bird-witted female I ever knew! Well, it must be stopped… if it is not too late. Where is she, do you know? I suppose the whole house will have to be searched again. It isnottoo late, I take it?”
Mutely, she shook her head.
“Then I must find her, at once. Or him. But there they are now!”
He shot off down the terrace steps and strode across the lawn towards the temple, from where Lord Rennington and Miss Bucknell were emerging. Lady Esther jumped up with a cry and ran after him.
“What is that all about?” Robert whispered to Olivia.
“No idea,” she whispered back. “Who is he? Do you know?”
