It was none of his business.
Harry felt his face harden. Even if the Barbican Arms has rooms to sparewhich they will notits not suitable for you to stay in town while a race meetings on.
I beg your pardon? After a moment of astonished surprise, Lucinda drew herself up. Mr Lesteryou have most ably rescued uswe owe you our gratitude. However, I am more than capable of organising our accommodation and stay in this town.
Gammon.
What?
You dont know anything about staying in a town during a race-meet or you wouldnt be here now. Lips set in a thin line, Harry shot her an irritated glare. Devil take itlook around you, woman!
Lucinda had already noticed the large number of men strolling the narrow pavements. As her gaze swept the scene, she noted that there were many more on horseback and in the sporting carriages of every description thronging the thoroughfare. Gentlemen everywhere. Only gentlemen.
Heather was leaning close, shrinking against her, not used to being stared at and ogled. She raised hazel eyes filled with uncertainty to Lucindas face. Lucinda?
Lucinda patted her hand. As she raised her head, she encountered a boldly appraising stare from a gentleman in a high-perch phaeton. Lucinda returned his scrutiny with a frosty glance. Nevertheless, she maintained. If you will set us down at
Her words trailed away as she glimpsed, hanging above a broad archway just ahead, a signboard depicting a castle gateway. In that instant, the traffic parted; Harry clicked his reins and the curricle shot forwardstraight past the archway.
Lucinda swivelled to peer at the sign as they moved steadily down the street. Thats itthe Barbican Arms! She turned to look at Harry. Youve passed it.
Grim-faced, Harry nodded.
Lucinda glared at him. Stop, she ordered.
You cant stay in town.
I can!
Over my dead body! Harry heard his snarl and inwardly groaned. He closed his eyes. What was happening to him? Opening his eyes, he glared at the woman beside him. Her cheeks were becomingly flushedwith temper. A fleeting thought of how she would look flushed with desire shot through his unwilling mind.
Something of his thoughts must have shown in his faceher blue eyes narrowed. Are you proposing to kidnap us? Her voice held the promise of a long and painful death.
The end of the High Street appeared; the traffic thinned. Harry flicked his leaders ear and the greys surged. As the sound of hooves on cobbles died behind them, he glanced down at her and growled, Consider it forcible repatriation.
Chapter Two
Forcible repatriation?
Harry shot her a narrow-eyed glare. You dont belong in a race-town.
Lucinda glared back. I belong wherever I choose to stay, Mr Lester.
His face set in uncompromising lines, Harry looked back at his team. Lucinda looked ahead, frowning direfully.
Where are you taking us? she eventually demanded.
To stay with my aunt, Lady Hallows. Harry glanced at her. She lives a little way out of town.
It had been many years since shed allowed anyone to order her life. Nose in the air, Lucinda held to dignified disapproval. How do you know she wont already have visitors?
Shes a widow of long standing and lives quietly. Harry checked his team and turned onto a side road. She has a whole Hall to spareand shell be delighted to make your acquaintance.
Lucinda sniffed. You cant know that.
The smile he bent on her was infinitely superior.
Resisting the urge to gnash her teeth, Lucinda pointedly looked away.
Heather had perked up the instant theyd quit town; she smiled when Lucinda glanced her way, clearly restored to her usual sunny humour and unperturbed by the unexpected alteration to their plans.
Feeling distinctly huffy, Lucinda looked ahead. It was, she suspected, pointless to protestat least, not until shed met Lady Hallows. Until then, there was nothing she could do to regain the ascendancy. The infuriating gentleman beside her had the upper handand the reins. Her gaze flicked sideways, to where his hands, covered by soft doeskin gloves, dextrously managed the ribbons. Long slim fingers and slender palms. Shed noted that earlier. To her horror, the memory evoked a shivershe had to fight to quell it. With him so close, he would very likely feel itand, she suspected, would unhesitatingly guess its cause.
Which would leave her feeling embarrassedand even more deeply disturbed. He evoked a most peculiar response in herit had yet to fade, despite her irritation at his autocratic interference. It was a distinctly novel feelingone she wasnt at all sure she appreciated.
Hallows Hall.
She looked up to discover a pair of imposing gateposts which gave onto a shady avenue lined with elms. The gravelled drive wound gently along a slight ridge, then dipped to reveal a pleasant vista of rolling lawns surrounding a reed-fringed lake, the whole enclosed by large trees.
How pretty! Heather looked about in delight.
The Hall, a relatively recent structure in honey-coloured stone, sat on a rise above the drive, which wound past the front steps before curving around the corner of the house. A vine stretched green fingers over the stone. There were roses in abundance; ducks clacked from the lake.
An ancient retainer came ambling up as Harry drew his team to a halt.
Thought as wed see you this week, young master.
Harry grinned. Good evening, Grimms. Is my aunt at home?
Ayethat she isand right pleased shell be to see you. Evening, miss. Miss. Grimms doffed his cap to Lucinda and Heather.
Lucindas answering smile was distant. Hallows Hall stirred long-forgotten memories of life before her parents had died.
Harry descended and helped her down. After helping Heather to the ground, he turned to see Lucinda looking about her, a wistful expression on her face. Mrs Babbacombe?
Lucinda started. Then, with a half-grimace and a frosty glance, she placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her up the steps.
The door was flung opennot by a butler, although a stately personage of that persuasion hovered in the shadowsbut by a gaunt, angular-featured woman a good two inches taller than Lucinda and decidedly thinner.
Harry, mboy! Thought youd be here. And whos this youve brought?
Lucinda found herself blinking into dark blue eyes, shrewd and intelligent.
But what am I about? Come in, come in. Ermyntrude, Lady Hallows, waved her guests into the hall.
Lucinda stepped over the thresholdand was immediately enveloped in the warm, elegant yet homey atmosphere.
Harry took his aunts hand and bowed over it, then kissed her cheek. As elegant as ever, Em, he said, scanning her topaz gown.
Ems eyes opened wide. Flummery? From you?
Harry pressed her hand warningly as he released it. Allow me to present Mrs Babbacombe, Aunt. Her carriage broke a wheel just outside town. I had the honour of driving her in. She had some idea of staying in town but I prevailed upon her to change her mind and give you the benefit of her company.
The words tripped glibly from his tongue. Rising from her curtsy, Lucinda shot him a chilly glance.
The words tripped glibly from his tongue. Rising from her curtsy, Lucinda shot him a chilly glance.
Capital! Em beamed and took Lucindas hand. My dear, you dont know how bored I sometimes get, stuck out here in the country. And Harrys quite rightyou cant possibly stay in town during a meetnot at all the thing. Her blue eyes switched to Heather. And whos this?
Lucinda made the introduction and Heather, smiling brightly, bobbed a curtsy.
Em put out a hand and tipped Heathers chin up the better to view her face. Hmmquite lovely. Youll do well in a year or two. Releasing her, Em frowned. Babbacombe, Babbacombe She glanced at Lucinda. Not the Staffordshire Babbacombes?
Lucinda smiled. Yorkshire. When her hostess only frowned harder, she felt compelled to add, I was a Gifford before my marriage.
Gifford? Ems eyes slowly widened as she studied Lucinda. Great heavens! You must be Melrose Giffords daughterCelia Parkes was your mother?
Surprised, Lucinda noddedand was promptly enveloped in a scented embrace.
Good gracious, childI knew your father! Em was in transports. WellI was a bosom-bow of his elder sister, but I knew all the family. Naturally, after the scandal, we heard very little of Celia and Melrose, but they did send word of your birth. Em wrinkled her nose. Not that it did much goodstiff-necked lot, your grandparents. On both sides.
Harry blinked, endeavouring to absorb this rush of information. Lucinda noticed, and wondered how he felt about rescuing the outcome of an old scandal.
Just fancy! Em was still in alt. I never thought to set eyes on you, mdear. Mind you, theres not many left but me whod remember. Youll have to tell me the whole story. Em paused to draw breath. Now then! Fergus will get your luggage and Ill show you up to your roomsafter a dish of teayou must be in need of refreshment. Dinners at six so theres no need to hurry.
Together with Heather, Lucinda found herself hustled towards an open doorwaya drawing-room lay ahead. On the threshold she hesitated and glanced back, as did Em behind her.
Youre not staying, are you, Harry? Em asked.
He was temptedsorely tempted. His gaze not on his aunt but on the woman beside her, Harry forced himself to shake his head. No. With an effort he shifted his gaze to his aunts face. Ill call sometime during the week.
Em nodded.
Prompted by she knew not what, Lucinda turned and re-crossed the hall. Their rescuer stood silently and watched her approach; she steadfastly ignored the odd tripping of her heart. She halted before him, calmly meeting his green gaze. I dont know how to thank you for your help, Mr Lester. Youve been more than kind.
His lips slowly curved; again, she found herself fascinated by the movement.
Harry took the hand she held out to him and, his eyes on hers, raised it to his lips. Your rescue was indeed my pleasure, Mrs Babbacombe. The sudden widening of her eyes as his lips touched her skin was payment enough for the consequent hardships. Ill ensure that your people know where to find youyour maids will arrive before nightfall, Im sure.
Lucinda inclined her head; she made no effort to retrieve her fingers from his warm grasp. Again, you have my thanks, sir.
It was nothing, my dear. His eyes on hers, Harry allowed one brow to rise. Perhaps well meet againin a ballroom, maybe? Dare I hope youll favour me with a waltz if we do?
Graciously, Lucinda acquiesced. I would be honoured, sirshould we meet.
Belatedly reminding himself that she was a snare he was determined to avoid, Harry took a firm grip on his wayward impulses. He bowed. Releasing Lucindas hand, he nodded to Em. With one last glance at Lucinda, he strolled gracefully out of the door.
Lucinda watched the door shut behind him, a distant frown in her eyes.
Em studied her unexpected guest, a speculative glint in hers.
Agathas been with me forever, Lucinda explained. She was my mothers maid when I was born. Amy was an under-maid at the Grangemy husbands house. We took her with us so that Agatha could train her to act as maid for Heather.
Just as well, Heather put in.
They were in the dining-room, partaking of a delicious meal prepared, so Em had informed them, in honour of their arrival. Agatha, Amy and Sim had arrived an hour ago, conveyed by Joshua in a trap borrowed from the Barbican Arms. Joshua had returned to Newmarket to pursue the repairs of the carriage. Agatha, taken under the wing of the portly housekeeper, Mrs Simmons, was resting in a cheery room below the eaves, her ankle pronounced unbroken but badly sprained. Amy had thus had to assist both Lucinda and Heather to dress, a task at which she had acquitted herself with honours.
Or so Em thought as she looked down the table. So, she said, patting her lips with her napkin then waving Fergus and the soup tureen away. You may start at the beginning. I want to know all about you since your parents died.
The sheer openness of the request robbed it of any rudeness. Lucinda smiled and laid aside her spoon; Heather was dipping into the tureen for the third time, much to Ferguss delight. As you know, what with both families disowning my parents, I hadnt had any contact with my grandparents. I was fourteen at the time of the accident. Luckily, our old solicitor hunted up my mothers sisters addressshe agreed to take me in.
Now lets see. Ems eyes narrowed as she surveyed the past. That would be Cora Parkes that was?
Lucinda nodded. If you recall, the Parkes family fortunes had taken a downturn sometime after my parents married. Theyd retired from Society and Cora had married a mill-owner in the northa Mr Ridley.
Never say so! Em was enthralled. Well, wellhow the mighty did fall. Your aunt Cora was one of the most intransigent when it came to any question of reconciliation with your parents. Em lifted her thin shoulders. Fates revenge, I dare say. So you lived with them until your marriage?
Lucinda hesitated, then nodded.
Em noticed; her eyes sharpened, then flicked to Heather. Lucinda sawand hastened to explain. The Ridleys werent exactly happy to have me. They only agreed to house me, thinking to use my talents as governess to their two daughters and then to broker my marriage as soon as maybe.
For a moment, Em stared. Then she snorted. Doesnt surprise me. That Cora was ever out for her own gain.
When I was sixteen, they arranged a marriage with another mill-owner, a Mr Ogleby.
Ugh! Heather looked up from her soup to shudder artistically. He was a horrible old toad, she blithely informed Em. Luckily, my father heard about itLucinda used to come and give me lessons. So he married Lucinda instead. Having done her bit for the conversation, Heather returned to her soup.
Lucinda smiled affectionately. Indeed, Charles was my saviour. I only recently learned that he bought off my relatives in order to marry mehe never told me.
Em snorted approvingly. Glad to hear theyve some gentlemen in those parts. So you became Mrs Babbacombe and lived atthe Grange, was it?
Thats right. Heather had finally relinquished the soup; Lucinda paused to serve herself from the platter of turbot Fergus offered. To all appearances Charles was a well-to-do gentleman of moderate estate. In reality, however, he owned a considerable collection of inns up and down the country. He was really very wealthy but preferred a quiet existence. He was close to fifty when we married. As I grew older, he taught me all about his investments and how to manage them. He was ill for some yearsthe end was a relief when it camebut because of his foresight, I was able to handle most of the work for him.