17
James enjoyed his swim as did his dogs. He was in his shirt and about to pull on his breeches when the dogs alerted. God – that was all he needed – an unwanted audience. He turned and saw in the distance the small shape or Eloise racing towards him.
'Othello, Caliban, see who's coming. Off you go, she wants to play with you.' He gestured with his hand and they didn't need telling a second time. They took off at a gallop. He waited until they reached the little girl and he was confident she was no longer looking in his direction before continuing to dress.
More or less correctly attired, only his mangled stock not back around his neck, he jogged towards the dogs and the child. Only then did he notice Haven and the carriage were rapidly approaching the house.
He lengthened his stride, running effortlessly, and paused briefly to speak to Eloise. 'I can't stop, sweetheart, more guests are arriving and I have to be there to greet them.'
'Mama isn't happy, Uncle James. She doesn't like Miss Brotherton either,' the child looked at him trustingly not worried that he'd react violently and this made him happy.
'Your mama has been unwell, I'm quite sure that once she's fully recovered, she'll be restored to her former good humour.'
Eloise nodded but looked a little unsure. 'Mama's never happy. Papa was mad.'
'Well, little one, you don't need to worry about anything now you're here. Don't go any nearer to the lake, is that clear?'
'I don't like big water.'
He left her running around in the strange way that she had, singing to herself and waving her hands in the air. The dogs looked as if they were joining in this strange performance. Her father had gone mad? That put a different complexion on things, maybe what had transpired at Upminster Hall hadn't been quite as he'd imagined.
He arrived at the house several minutes before the carriage expecting to find Sofia and at least one of the other girls waiting to greet their missing relatives. The hall was deserted and only one footman stood on duty outside the drawing room.
He quirked an eyebrow and the young man grinned. 'Billy's showing Miss Brotherton the other side of the house, my lord. Mrs Turnbull asked him to.'
James nodded and strode across the chequered space following the chattering he could hear. It sounded as if they were getting further away and he needed Sofia beside him when the great aunt and her final sister walked in.
With a resigned smile he put his two fingers in his mouth and whistled hoping the dogs wouldn't hear him and think they were being called back. He muted the tone somewhat but it still echoed wonderfully around the hall. He heard Jim, the footman, sniggering and he smiled.
Sofia arrived in a rush closely followed by the other two. 'What's wrong, James? I do wish you wouldn't make that frightful noise, it's most unseemly.'
'Would you have preferred that I yell your name, my love?'
'You're impossible, but I find that I am warming to you despite your many faults.'
James ignored the two girls listening closely to this exchange, stepped in and kissed her before she could complain. There was an audible grasp from behind him but he ignored it.
'I intend to do that on every possible occasion, but I don't care how shocking it is,' he whispered to her.
'Not only are you impossible, dearest James, you're also outrageous but there's no time for me to reprimand you sufficiently as my great aunt and my younger sister are about to enter.'
He slipped his arm round her waist and drew her close to him – where she belonged.
'By the way, I told Lady Charlotte that the engagement's genuine, that we love each other, and that we're getting married in September or earlier. I'm afraid she went off in high dudgeon.'
'Good for you, it saves me the trouble of telling her. I've other things to discuss with you about that situation but it must wait for now.'
He'd been expecting someone as shrivelled and bad tempered as his grandmother but a remarkably sprightly, elderly grey-haired lady stepped into the hall. She looked at him with interest and nodded.
'Lord Avon, thank you for inviting us to live with you. However, consider this a summer visit, I haven't decided if I wish to make this my permanent home. Mr Haven has taken over the financial arrangements for our property, and I thank you for that also.'
He bowed formally but she didn't do more than nod her head. 'Welcome to my home, ma'am, you may remain indefinitely or return to Hilltop House in a few weeks if that's what you wish to do.'
She smiled and only then turned to greet Sofia and Colette. 'Well, girls, you both look smart. Are you happy here? Do you like your new guardian?'
James was unfamiliar with being spoken about as if he was invisible but remained silent wishing to see how things developed before intervening.
'Great Aunt Jemima, I hope you had a pleasant journey. Your rooms are being prepared for you, refreshments will be served in the blue room which is to the left of you. Lord Avon and I are engaged and will be married very soon.'
