‘Whereas you have no such need, my lord, obviously possessing such a thick skin.’ Elizabeth’s riposte was swift and acerbic, and took the lascivious peer by surprise.
‘I beg your pardon.’ Nuneaton had forgotten Elizabeth’s presence.
‘Why, you must either possess very thick skin or be lacking in wits not to see that your “attentions” are not to my cousin’s taste, sir. Indeed, they would not be to the taste of any elegantly brought-up young woman. One can only suppose that you have essayed them too long upon women of an entirely different calibre.’
‘And what would you know of them, ma’am?’
‘Thankfully very little, but pretending they do not existdoes not mean being ignorant of their existence.’
‘And I think’ – his lordship’s eyes narrowed, and his voice lost any pretence of cordiality – ‘that you would be wise not to meddle where you have no right.’ He looked her up and down, taking in the drab pelisse and the stern expression that made Elizabeth look older than her years. Not having taken an interest in her at parties, he assumed she was some indigent relative. ‘I doubt very much that Lady Chalford would share your attitude.’
‘Then you do not know my aunt, sir. There are limits,87and you overstep them. We wish you good day, my lord. Come, Cousin.’ With which Elizabeth took Amelia by the elbow, and strode purposefully away, head held imperiously high. Lord Nuneaton’s chagrin was thus invisible to her.
‘Oh dear,’ whispered Amelia. ‘What if he complains to Mama? Will you not be in trouble?’
‘No, Amelia.’
‘But you have heard how she is pleased that he pays me attention.’
‘Yes, but she has not been privy to his manner.’ Elizabeth halted, and turned to her younger cousin. ‘Dear Amelia, your mama would have been horrified to hear what Lord Nuneaton said to you. It is beyond all that is seemly, and you can be assured that he would not have dared speak so in her hearing. You need not be concerned about what he may say, since I have every intention of broaching the subject with my aunt as soon as we return home.’
‘He is the most repellent man’ – Amelia shuddered – ‘and I do not know how you dared to confront him.’
‘It was not daring, Amelia, for he can do me no harm.’
As soon as she had divested herself of her outside attire, Elizabeth sought out her aunt, who was making a list of those to invite to a dinner the following week.
‘May I speak with you, Aunt?’
‘Of course, my dear, as long as it isn’t about that “you know what” last night.’
‘It is not. Amelia and I encountered Lord Nuneaton in the park.’
‘Oh, did you?’ Lady Chalford sounded cautiously pleased.
88‘It was not a pleasant encounter. His behaviour, his language, his looks … he put Amelia to the blush intentionally, and the poor child did not know how to counter him. When he lost all sense of propriety, I myself made our disapprobation clear.’
‘Oh dear. You got up in your high ropes no doubt and said something cutting.’ She sighed. ‘I do wish you were not so … belligerent, Elizabeth. You will get a reputation as sharp-tongued and waspish if you do not take care.’
‘You are the second person to call me belligerent, or rather he termed me “bellicose”.’
‘Lord Nuneaton?’
‘No, Sir Lucius Radstock.’
‘Do not tell me you bit his head off too.’ Lady Chalford put a hand to her cheek.
‘If I did, he took it in good part, ma’am, but Sir Lucius is not the problem. Nuneaton is beyond the pale, truly.’ Elizabeth, reluctantly, repeated his comments to Amelia, and her aunt frowned.
‘Well, how disappointing. He is always perfectly reasonable with me. Are you sure …’
‘You, dear Aunt, are not an innocent of seventeen. I watched him. He wanted to put her to the blush, took pleasure in her embarrassment. It was … disgusting.’ Elizabeth shuddered.
‘What a pity, and just as I was beginning to have hopes.Oh well, there are, as they say, more fish in the sea.’
‘Hopefully not more sharks, ma’am.’
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