Byron's Child by Carola Dunn Read Free Book Online

wax in America?” he enquired, his eyebrows indicating disbelief.
    “The composition must be different,” Jodie gasped, trying to stop giggling.
    “Allow me to assist.”
    “Thanks,” said Giles, “but I’m going to have to recopy the letter anyway.”
    “Later then. Faringdale can frank it for you, of course, but if he is otherwise occupied I shall be glad to be of service.”
    Seeing Giles’s blank look, Jodie said hastily, “Thank you, my lord. Giles, let us go and ask Cousin Roland if we may borrow a carriage to go into Oxford tomorrow.”
    “No doubt you wish to replace the wardrobe you lost at sea, Faringdale,” said Lord Thorncrest as they went through to the drawing room. “Perhaps I can direct you to a tailor who is somewhat more conversant with modern modes than your American tailor appears to be.”
    His tone was bland, but Jodie was sure he had every intention of mocking. She was ready to flare up in Giles’s defense when she caught his eye and he shook his head slightly. He looked amused.
    “That’s kind of you, my lord,” he said mildly. “Perhaps you can also tell me where to go for scientific instruments. My slide rule was lost too.”
    “Slide rule? Ah yes, I believe I know what you mean. I fear I never could spare the time for playing with numbers when I was up at Oxford. I daresay your cousin might be able to advise you.”
    Roland was standing with his back to the drawing room fire, ostentatiously consulting his pocket watch. As they entered he nodded in satisfaction and put it away. “We dine in seven minutes,” he announced. “You were saying that I might be able to advise my cousins, Thorncrest?”
    “Faringdale needs some mathematical knickknack.”
    “This is ridiculous,” said Jodie crossly, her ire at last finding an outlet. “You cannot go on calling both Giles and Cousin Roland ‘Faringdale.’ They both have perfectly good first names and surely you do too?”
    “My given name is Charles, Miss Judith. I trust it meets with your approval.” He was sarcastic.
    “Charlie,” mused Jodie, noting from the corner of her eye Roland’s apoplectic face. “Or better yet, Chuck.”
    “Judith, I must absolutely forbid you to address the earl by his Christian name,” Roland burst out, “whatever your heathen American custom.”
    “Indeed, it would not be proper, Jodie,” Charlotte agreed, scandalized.
    Unexpectedly Lord Thorncrest laughed. “If propriety prevents my being called Chuck, then long live propriety. I believe you might be permitted to call me Thorncrest, however, Miss Judith.” He turned to Giles. “Perhaps, to pacify your sister and avoid confusion, I had best use your Christian name?”
    “By all means, Charles,” Giles responded gravely.
    The earl was visibly taken aback. Jodie realized that he had not expected to reciprocate by allowing an American nobody the freedom to use his first name. However, he could hardly object now. Giles had scored a point and, looking at him, Jodie saw by the glint in his blue eyes that he was well aware of it.
    What ridiculous complications! It made the California custom of addressing all and sundry by their first names appear eminently sane.
    To Roland’s obvious relief, Potter announced dinner and they moved into the dining room. Charlotte set herself to smooth ruffled feathers all around. Between her gentle chatter of commonplaces and her cook’s excellent meal, she succeeded admirably.
    Roland unbent sufficiently to offer a choice of carriages for the outing to Oxford on the morrow. When Giles admitted that he could not drive, Thorncrest confined himself to a curled lip, forgoing the opportunity for sarcasm. And then Jodie, sitting next to Roland, pleased him with her interest in his country pursuits.
    “Of course, our English way of doing things is not at all what you are used to,” he said forgivingly, patting her hand. “If you will only heed Charlotte, you will soon learn. Charlotte is equal to anything.” He