Lord Avon was standing under the portico waiting to greet them when they descended from his splendid carriage. Mary hovered nervously behind them.
'Welcome, ladies, come in and let me show you around.'
They curtsied and he laughed making him look much more approachable and less a formidable aristocrat.
'That will be the last time you do that. This is your home; I am now your guardian – it will become tedious for all of us if we continue this formality.'
'How are we to address you, my lord? I thought perhaps Uncle James, or possibly Cousin James,' Sofia said with a smile.
His aristocratic eyebrows vanished under his hair – which he wore longer than was usual. 'I'm neither your uncle nor your cousin, call me James.'
If he'd announced that he was about to dance naked across the lawn Sofia could not have been more surprised. Annabel clutched her arm in shock.
'We cannot address you by your given name, that would be unconscionable. You're the Earl of Avon and we are just impecunious commoners.' If she'd stopped there, things might have been better. 'Am I not related to you as I have the same name? Mama told me that there were distant Brotherton cousins but because she was French they refused to acknowledge the marriage.' She nodded and continued. 'However, my aunt says it was because my father was already betrothed to someone the family had selected and was cast off because of that.'
His friendly expression vanished. 'Do not be impertinent, miss.' Without another word he strode away leaving them marooned in the vast entrance hall.
'Botheration, I really should learn to hold my tongue,' Sofia said. 'I suppose we must venture up that magnificent carved wooden staircase and find our own accommodation. I don't know a lot about grand houses, but shouldn't there be members of staff here to assist us?'
'I'm certain that there should. He shouldn't have abandoned us like that. It is he that lacks manners not you,' Annabel reassured her. 'I remember once visiting a titled family's country home before I was persona non grata. When a staircase runs up either side of the hall, I believe the family ascend on the left and visitors on the right.'
'I really don't know which category we come in.' Sofia pointed at the elaborately carved gallery balustrade. 'I've never seen such intricate work; I think I could spend all day examining this masterpiece. However, I think we must find a bell strap to pull and summon assistance.'
It took them several minutes to discover what they were looking for secreted in a small aperture on the left of double doors which were closed not allowing them to see what was behind them. As Sofia reached in to pull it the earl returned.
'No, there's no need for that. I beg your pardon, I have a short temper, some might call me irascible, but I give you my word I'll attempt to rein that in if you, Miss Brotherton, vow to do the same with your impertinence.'
'I offer my most sincere apologies…' She hesitated not sure how to address him as that hadn't been decided, so just continued without using any name at all. 'I'll willingly give you my word, but I'm afraid more often than not the words tumble out before I have time to consider them so I cannot promise to keep my promise although I'll do my best.'
His shout of laughter echoed around the space. 'Well said, we can only do our best can we not? I can guarantee one thing; I'm bound to lose my temper on a regular basis and you no doubt will infuriate me with your pert responses.'
Annabel had been watching the two of them with interest. 'Excuse me, can we please decide on how we are to address each other? It's inconvenient not knowing.'
'I am James – I thought I made that clear.' However, although I'm happy to call you Annabel – that's a pretty name.
He half-smiled in a disconcerting way. 'I'll have those names put on the legal documents that I intend to have drawn up.'
He set off up the left-hand staircase and they were obliged to hurry after him as his stride was so much longer than theirs. Poor Annabel had to run in order not to be left behind.
They arrived on a spacious gallery which overlooked the hall. There was a passageway directly ahead, luxuriously carpeted, and it ended in a massive, curved window which allowed light to pour down. Along this corridor were a series of closed doors.
There was another narrower passage to the left of the gallery and an identical one on the other side. Sofia thought her entire house at Laycock would fit in the hall and gallery.
James was already halfway down the central corridor. He glanced over his shoulder. He was stationary and raised his voice. Not something a gentleman should do, and especially not inside the house.
'For God's sake, don't dawdle there. I've better things to do than wander about up here all day.'
Annabel was about to run to join him but Sofia grabbed her arm. 'No, he can afford to behave like this, we cannot. We shall walk briskly; ladies do not run unless they're playing cricket.' She'd spoken quietly but he'd heard her.
'I should add to that caveat, my dear, unless you're being chased by a bull.'
Annabel giggled. 'Or a tiger, or a crocodile, I'd certainly run from them.'
Now he turned and was laughing down at them. 'Did you know, girls, that if being chased by a crocodile you should make your escape in a zigzag pattern. I've been reliably informed – I can't remember by whom – that crocodiles are very speedy when running in a straight line but cannot turn a corner successfully.'
Sofia nodded solemnly. 'Thank you for that sage advice, I'm certain it will come in useful next time we are travelling across Africa.'
He ignored her answer but the corner of his mouth curved demonstrating he was amused.
