Page 22 of The Book of Lost Stories

‘Well, Miss Weston is no fool. But headstrong, opinionated, determined – all of those I would say, yes.’

‘A woman of virtue?’

‘Undoubtedly.’

‘Hmm … She is staying with Mrs Rivers in Portman Square – respectable address, know the family. George Rivers is another crony of Chase and that fool nephew of mine, and presumably involved in the Brethren, as they call themselves.’

‘Yes, I believe so, as was my friend Harry Stavely’s brother, Gervase.’

‘Killed himself, didn’t he?’

‘Yes, drowned. He was often of a melancholic turn of mind, but of late seemed to have had something on his conscience that led him to take so desperate a step. Harry is made of sterner stuff. He was a first-class officer and will be a loss to Wellington now.’

‘I suppose you both wish yourselves back on the battlefield?’

Rayven’s dark blue eyes glowed. ‘That we do. But there, we must accept what fate has given us.’

‘Most men would be thankful to have plump inheritances land in their laps.’

‘Life in the Rifles suited us both, but I am not ungrateful and nor is Harry, except that he would rather have his brother back, hale and hearty, of course.’

‘A man must do his duty in whatever sphere he is called to.’

‘Very true, sir.’

‘Well, I will tell you what I think of Miss Weston when I have seen her, for I have told her to bring herself and the gold Poseidon here tomorrow,’ Hartwood said in a voice of dismissal, and, seeing that he was tiring, Rayven took his leave.

As he let himself out of the room he caught a glimpse of a fluttering pink gown vanishing around the turn of the stair.

He smiled sardonically. Someone – the niece?

– had been curious enough about his visit to listen at the door.

But it was solid enough and she could not have heard much, even with her ear pressed to the keyhole.

He drove home thinking how odd it was that Miss Weston should turn out to be Titus Hartwood’s granddaughter, for he could perceive no family resemblance.

But perhaps the likeness lay rather in character and some part of the old man’s stern inflexibility had been passed down to her, for he had never met any young lady with such an air of competence and of knowing just what she did – and didn’t! – want.

He had been fighting off a strong urge to pay her a visit ever since Harry had told him that he had met her at Mrs Rivers’ house, for he would enjoy teasing and provoking her. Besides, did he not deserve a little of his own back in return for his icy dipping at Knaresborough?

However, despite what she had said at their last encounter about not aspiring to marriage, her grandfather must have been correct in thinking she had come to London with that very hope in her heart. Near penniless, orphaned and alone, what else was there for her to do?

No, it would be best to steer clear of her, he decided, for fear that any attentions he might pay her be the cause of raising false expectations in her breast.

*

Later, when Harry arrived home in a state of high emotion far removed from his usual quiet good sense, Rayven wished his friend would also steer clear of Mrs Rivers; but as it turned out, the ill-starred pair had already come to the same conclusion.

‘We are agreed that we should not meet so often, for fear of causing tongues to wag and so making her situation worse. I must leave her to her fate … yet she is an angel and I am sure her husband mistreats her!’ Harry exclaimed, walking up and down the library hastily.

‘She positively shrinks away when he comes into the room, and looks so afraid.’

‘I am sorry for it, but I think you have made the right decision, Harry.’

‘Something has altered Rivers from the man I remember, Serle. You recall I told you that when he assured me there was nothing in the meetings held by his friends that might have caused Gervase to take his life, he could not meet my eye? And this from my brother’s oldest friend!’

‘Mistrust him all you will, but you would still do better to keep away from his wife.’

‘I must, although it will be anguish. And you can never have been in love, or you would know it,’ he said with a groan. ‘Serle, I long to protect her from harm, to hold her and cherish her and never let the slightest thing trouble her again.’

Rayven looked at his friend with some dismay.

‘I did not realize that it had come to this pass! I admit I have never yet felt anything of that kind, so I dare say you are right and I have never truly been in love. But it is just as well I never married one of my earlier fancies, as things turned out, for the wife of a soldier would not at all have done as the chatelaine of Priory Chase. I owe it to my heritage to choose prudently: family, lineage, estate – all must play their part in my choice.’

‘I, too. But it will be very hard, when my heart belongs to another.’ He summoned up a smile.

‘But this is mawkish talk, is it not? How did you get on with Mr Hartwood? You know, I think it the outside of enough that you should be expected to be at the beck and call of the last Lord Rayven’s old cronies! ’

‘Ah, but it turns out that Mr Hartwood is related to a mutual acquaintance, Harry. He is, in fact, Miss Weston’s grandfather.’

*

Later, since both young men felt strangely restless, they went out to Mendoza’s boxing saloon, where Lord Rayven acquitted himself so ferociously well that his sparring partner was more than happy to see him leave again.