Valentine by Jane Feather Read Free Book Online Page B

left all such clothes with Henry, his servant and former batman, in his lodgings on Jermyn Street.
    He rode up to the manor at five-thirty, immaculately but unassumingly dressed in a morning coat of olive superfine and beige pantaloons. And he had his plan of campaign neatly mapped out. Lady Theo would discover that cold incivility had its consequences. He would concentrate his attentions on Lady Belmont and the two elder daughters. If they could be charmed into favoring his suit, it would be more difficult for Theo to defend her position.
    Thus it was that Theo, bristling to do battle despite her mother’s warning, was not given an opportunity.
    The earl was a perfect guest, well informed, an amusing conversationalist, exerting a powerful charm. He was attentive and deferential to Lady Belmont, on whose right he sat, discussed music knowledgeably with Clarissa, and to Emily’s shyly hesitant inquiry about London fashions offered an enlightening description of the new gypsy bonnet that was all the rage.
    Theo sat neglected. Her hand froze on her fork when hementioned the word “gypsy,” but he cast not so much as a glance in her direction. For once in her life she could think of nothing to contribute to the conversation and felt herself to be a dull clod, toying with her green goose and peas like a child in the nursery while the adults amused themselves.
    “We’ll leave you to your port, Lord Stoneridge,” Lady Belmont said as the covers were removed. She rose from the table, nodding toward her daughters.
    “That seems unnecessary, ma’am. It’s dull work sitting alone and communing with oneself.” Sylvester rose with a small bow. “Perhaps I may join you in the drawing room.”
    “You’ll be forgoing a fine port,” Theo said, hearing her voice for the first time in an age. She tried to make the comment sound light, in keeping with the general tone of the evening, but had an uncomfortable feeling that she sounded merely sullen.
    “You take port, cousin?” Sylvester raised an eyebrow.
    “I was accustomed to doing so with my grandfather,” she said, this time knowing she sounded stiff.
    “Then, if Lady Belmont has no objection, perhaps you’d join me in a glass.”
    Caught—hook, line and sinker.
Her chagrin was clear on her face as she threw up her hand unconsciously in the gesture of a fencer acknowledging defeat. Sylvester smiled at her for the first time. It was a smile so full of understanding for her predicament and the neatness of his trap that she lowered her eyelids abruptly to hide her own unwitting response.
    “You’re too kind, my lord. But I find I have no taste for port this evening.”
    “As you wish.” His bow was ironic. “Then I must forgo the pleasure also.”
    And now he’d cast her in the role of a spiteful spoiler!
Theo sat down again and reached for the port decanter. “Allow me, my lord.” She filled two glasses and raised her own in a mock toast.
    Elinor smiled to herself and ushered Emily and Clarissa out of the dining room.
    “So what shall we drink to, cousin?” The earl raised his own glass. “A truce, perhaps.”
    “I wasn’t aware we were at outs,” Theo said, sipping her port.
    “Gammon!” he said bluntly.
    Theo bit her unruly lip and said nothing, helping herself to a sugared almond from a chased silver dragée dish.
    “Tell me about the Gentlemen,” the earl invited, leaning back in his chair, crossing his legs. “I understand you’re something of an expert.”
    “Most landowners are,” she said. “At least along the coast.”
    “So …?”
    “You expect me to educate you in local customs, my lord?” There was a bitter tinge to the question.
    “Yes, I do,” he said simply. “I expect that … just as I expect you to introduce me to the estate people, show me around the land, and tell me whatever I need to know.”
    Theo inhaled sharply, and her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass. “I am to make it easy for a Gilbraith to take over