'Actually, I'd thought I'd attach a leading rein to her neck and she could run along beside me. Dammit, you're right. I refuse to travel in a coach – stuffy, uncomfortable vehicles. Would you be so kind as to inform my housekeeper to prepare a room for the young lady and have my travelling carriage join me at the address.'
The young man nodded. 'I'd be happy to tell Mrs Bedford but she'll want to know which rooms to prepare. Do you wish the girl to reside with the Dowager Lady Avon?'
Now James laughed out loud. The very idea was risible. 'No, I suppose she must have rooms in this part of the house. I intend to recover the remainder of the family within a day or two so Bedford might as well get ready for the invasion.'
Before he left he'd learned everything that Smithers knew about this other remote cousin's family and particularly about Sofia.
If his head groom was surprised to see him back in the stables so soon he had the good sense not to say so. Ten minutes later he was astride his second favourite horse, a massive chestnut appropriately named Rufus. He was accompanied by a groom on a handsome bay, it wouldn't do for the Earl of Avon to travel unaccompanied. Somebody had to hold his horse whilst he was visiting.
It was barely six miles to Bath, an enjoyable hack first through his own land and then across the fields. It had been some time since he'd visited this city but he hadn't forgotten the way to the Royal Crescent. He'd attended several soirées there in the past and was familiar with several of the people who resided in these grand houses. He owned a house at the other end of the parade but rarely used it.
He reined in outside the correct house, dropped easily to the ground, pulled the reins over the chestnut's ears and tossed them to the waiting groom.
Under normal circumstances he'd have sent his groom to knock but he wanted to get this over with. God knows how a girl of nineteen could be thought to be a suitable companion for a young lady almost the same age as her. Smithers had told him the Brotherton girls had not been introduced into society, had lived an isolated life in moderate comfort, ignored by their now deceased father. This didn't equip Sofia for this position, or for any other for that matter.
He strode to the front door and hammered on it. Moments later it was opened by a liveried footman who took one look at him and the two magnificent horses standing at the bottom of the steps and bowed.
'Yes, sir, how can I be of assistance to you?'
'I'm Avon, I've come to recover my ward, Miss Brotherton who I believe is working here.'
'Yes, my lord, if you'd care to come in, I'll inform the mistress that you're here.'
James was ushered into a withdrawing room and left to kick his heels for far too long. He heard footsteps approaching and turned to face whoever might be coming – he assumed it would be Mrs Sinclair. He wasn't accustomed to being kept waiting and intended to make his feelings on the matter clear.
It wasn't the mistress of the house. It was a tall, stunningly beautiful young lady, with startlingly blue eyes. She dipped in a low curtsy.
'I've no idea that we were related to someone so important, my lord. I apologise for keeping you waiting. Would you care to be seated?'
'I would not. No member of my family works for a living. I've come to remove you from here and take you to Avon Court where you will be residing with your sisters in future.'
He'd expected her to smile, thank him for his kindness but to his astonishment she shook her head.
'I'm sorry but you've had a wasted journey, my lord. I do however appreciate you coming. I'm glad that there's someone who can keep Hilltop House safe, take care of my great aunt and my younger sisters but I'm remaining here.'
'You'll damn well do as you're told, young lady. I thought I made myself abundantly clear. Brothertons do not work for their living. I'll not countenance you being employed as companion to Miss Sinclair.'
Rather than being cowed by his words she smiled in what he thought was a superior way. 'Unless you're prepared to carry me kicking and screaming from the premises, my lord, I'll not budge. Miss Sinclair needs me; I'll not abandon her so easily.'
With an exasperated sigh he flicked aside the tails of his riding coat and sat down. He should have waited for her to do so first and his unintended faux pas made her smile genuine.
'I apologise for putting you out, sir. Would you allow me to explain my reasons for wishing to remain here?'
He sighed again more dramatically and shrugged. This time her smile was brilliant and made her even more desirable.
He listened and nodded when she'd done. 'Why not bring her with you? Her mother wishes to keep her safe, Mr Sinclair wishes her gone, if I'm taking on three young ladies why not take on four?'
She was on her feet, there were tears glittering in her eyes. 'You'd do that for a stranger? I can't believe it. I can't thank you enough and Annabel will be overjoyed. I was mistaken in your character, my lord, you're not the autocratic, high in the instep, aristocrat I thought you were.'
His bark of laughter ricocheted around the small room. 'Thank you, Sofia. He too was on his feet.
'If you'd care to arrange for Miss Sinclair's trunks to be packed and to collect whatever belongings you have, I'll speak to Mrs Sinclair. My carriage should be here shortly. I don't take kindly to my horses being kept waiting.'
'And neither should you, sir. I won't ask how you intend to achieve this miracle; I just know that you will. We'll be ready in less than half an hour, I give you my word.'
She was gone in a flurry of petticoats and he was left smiling foolishly. This was an unmitigated disaster. He'd waited a decade hoping to meet a young lady he could contemplate spending the rest of his life with and now, after scarcely fifteen minutes, he'd found her. She was the very last person he could offer for – he was her guardian and he should never be anything else.
