‘Guy. And if you think I am going to walk away and leave you in a house where someone can obviously gain admittance at any hour of the day and night and where a member of your staff has had a very lucky escape from breaking his neck, then you have obviously formed a most faulty idea of my character in the course of our short acquaintance.’
Hester decided that to struggle would only result in an undignified tussle and allowed herself to be steered into the kitchen where Susan was just thrusting the remains of the roses on to the fire. ‘There was just twelve of them, Miss Hester,’ she observed. ‘Fourteen last time.’ She hefted the kettle off the range and put it under the pump. ‘I’ll make tea, shall I?’
‘Yes, please, and can you run upstairs and see if Dr Forrest would like some?’
But the doctor was already in the hall and Hester went out to shake his hand and enquire if there was anything she needed to do for Jethro.
‘No, nothing at all, ma’am, beyond the instructions I have given to Miss Prudhome. A most capable lady, she knows just what to do. Good day to you, ma’am, my lord.’
‘I wil
l take my leave of you too.’ Guy gathered up his hat and gloves. ‘I will send the youngest footman, which might help Jethro swallow his chagrin.’
‘Thank you, my lord, but we can manage perfectly well, I assure you, and I will not need your footman. I would, however, be grateful if one of your grooms could look after my cob, if that would not be too much trouble.’
‘You should not be unguarded at night. I will send a man over and he can sleep on a truckle bed in Ackland’s room- I assume you will be keeping him in the house for the moment?’
‘I will indeed, and I repeat, my lord, I do not need assistance, although naturally I appreciate your concern.’
‘Hester, you will appreciate rather more than my concern if you do not stop this stubbornness.’ He put his hands on her shoulders before she realised what he was doing. ‘I do not know whether to shake you or…’
‘Or what?’ Hester looked warily into his narrowed eyes, trying to ignore the flutterings that the feel of his hands on her sent through her body.
‘Or give into the very strong temptation to kiss you until you give in,’ he replied grimly.
‘Miss Lattimer?’ The front door swung open and Mrs Redland swept through.
CHAPTER NINE
Hester felt ready to sink. Of all the people in Winterbourne St Swithin to have discovered her virtually in the embrace of the Earl of Buckland, it had to be Mrs Redland.
She had reckoned without Guy’s considerable address. ‘Ma’am, you are just the person to assist me,’ he said warmly.
‘I am?’ Mrs Redland looked sharply from Hester’s rosy cheeks to Guy, who had only that moment dropped his hands from her shoulders.
‘Miss Lattimer, who is understandably distressed over the injury to her only male member of staff, was just refusing my offer to lend her a footman. I am sure you will agree with my anxiety that a household of ladies should not be without able- bodied male support.’
‘Well…’ Mrs Redland met Hester’s imploring gaze and hesitated. Hester nodded meaningfully at Guy’s back, then shook her head vehemently. Mrs Redland had obviously not forgotten their conversation earlier that day.
‘That is a most generous suggestion, my lord. However, I cannot but feel that such an offer, whilst meant with the most chivalrous of intentions, might be misinterpreted in some quarters. A single lady, especially one of Miss Lattimer’s years, cannot he too careful.’
Hester smiled at Mrs Redland, then rapidly composed her face when Guy swung round to look at her.
‘Very well, Miss Lattimer, it appears I am overruled by wiser counsel. I will send a groom over daily to attend to your cob. Please feel free at any time to call upon my household for assistance; you have only to speak to my butler. Good day, Miss Lattimer, Mrs Redland.’
‘Tsk!’ Mrs Redland regarded the door, which his lordship had most carefully refrained from slamming, with some amusement. ‘Not a gentleman used to encountering opposition to his will, that is obvious.’ She allowed herself to be ushered through to the drawing room, but refused the offer of a seat. ‘No, my dear, I merely called to enquire if there was anything I could do to help.’
‘Thank you, ma’am, that is most kind. It is all very worrying.’ Hester could not now believe that Mrs Redland had overheard anything compromising. ‘However, the doctor has been most helpful and Miss Prudhome has extensive sickroom experience.’
‘Very well, I will take my leave, but do let me know if there is anything I can do to assist or if, now Miss Prudhome has other calls upon her time, you require a chaperon.’ She paused as Hester was opening the front door for her. ‘I am sure his lordship’s intentions are merely to be attentive and of use as a neighbour, but I commend your reticence, Miss Lattimer.’
More than a little relieved, Hester made her way back to the kitchen. What a narrow escape!
‘There you are.’ Guy was sitting at the kitchen table, a steaming mug of tea in his hands. He stood up as Hester entered and the look he exchanged with Susan was not lost upon her.
‘I’ll just see if Miss Prudhome needs any help.’ The maid bustled self-consciously out of the door, wiping her hands on her apron as she went.
‘I will thank you not to conspire with my servants behind my back, my lord!’ She felt so angry that it was difficult to control her voice.