Scandalous Miss Brightwells [Book 1-4]

“I’m very tired after the long journey, Jack, and if Mrs Monks is here until tomorrow, I shall be perfectly well looked after while you’re gone.” Odette sank into a seat opposite her new chaperone and smiled up at Jack as if the matter was already settled. “Lord Derry can ride ahead to reassure everyone at Quamby House that Diana is safe, or send a message.”

To Jack’s surprise, the idea of travelling alone and not having to keep up small talk with Odette was liberating.

He hesitated and Mrs Monks said warmly, “Excellent arrangement, Odette. Now do join us for refreshment, Lord Derry. I knew your dear mama, you know.”

Jack rather thought she meant that she knew of Derry’s mama. He couldn’t imagine the two on an equal social footing.

He was glad that Odette seemed comfortable with the new plan and surprised that she didn’t think it vulgar when Mrs Monks glanced about the sitting room with approval, saying, “This will do very well for an old woman to rest her weary body, and you shall be just the panacea I need, Odette, after having to listen to my husband who is now snoring upstairs!”

Derry looked less than enamoured of the idea of spending time in her company, Jack noticed, quickening his pace towards the door in case Odette changed her mind.

“I shall be back within a few hours,” he promised, “if you’re certain you don’t wish to accompany me.”

He was relieved when she shook her head while Mrs Monks suggested that she and her husband could take Odette in their carriage and deliver her to Patmore Farm if Jack was delayed. It was an offer Jack wasn’t going to refuse though he told himself he wasn’t going to linger at Quamby House. Not even to talk to Katherine.

“So, are you ready, Diana?” he asked, surprised at the enthusiasm in his tone.

She nodded, clearly much happier with the arrangement to leave with Jack rather than Derry.

“You make sure you apologise to your mama, young lady,” Derry said, finally lowering himself into a chair opposite Odette and Mrs Monks, and clearly relinquishing Diana as his responsibility for he turned eagerly as refreshment was offered.

Jack wondered what Katherine’s reaction back at Quamby House would be. He found it odd to think of her as a mother with cares and responsibilities when she still looked so much like the innocent girl he’d fallen in love with.

Fallen in love with. The thought caught him by surprise and he made a mental note to remember how long ago that had been. And that she was a friend. Only.

They were halfway home when the coachman unexpectedly drew to a halt.

When Jack put his head out to ask the reason, he was told that Lord Quamby’s carriage was coming towards them. Indeed, as he recognised the handsome equipage that had stopped just in front of them, a well dressed woman stepped out and onto the road.

“Jack! I knew you’d find her!” Lady Quamby called out gaily, as Jack opened his door and climbed out to greet Katherine’s aunt.

He was disappointed, he found, that in all good conscience, he could relinquish Diana to her aunt.

Which would mean he’d not see Katherine.

“Lady Quamby, your hunch was correct.” Quickly, he explained the arrangements that had been put in place then turned to call for Diana. However, when he started to tell the child that her aunt and, as it turned out, her Uncle Bertram, too, would take her to Quamby House, Lady Quamby interrupted with a trill of laughter. “I really have no wish to retrace my footsteps, Jack. Would you be so good as to save us the journey and take Diana back to London? Bertram and I are on our way Patmore Farm, in fact. We were confident you’d find Diana and all would be well. We’ll see you at your parents’ home, then?” She smiled hopefully.

Jack hesitated, desire to comply warring with what he knew to be the safest course. A great deal of potential heartache could be avoided if he simply turned around and went back to Odette. He realised this now as he recognised the disappointment he felt at being denied a chance to see Katherine again.

Jack was a sensible man. And he had made his bed.

Just as Katherine had all those years ago.

“Odette is waiting for me at the Northcote Arms about half an hour from here. No doubt she’ll be bored if not anxious.”

“I thought you said just now that Lord Derry was keeping her company.” Bertram Brightwell had now brought his portly self to bear, smiling benignly at Jack from over his sister’s shoulder.

“Lord Derry is with her, that’s correct—”

“Then she’s being entertained as well as she might be. Chaperoned, of course, by Mrs Monks,” he added quickly.

“Well chaperoned, but no doubt anxious to resume her journey.”

“And what a happy situation that we are going to the very same destination,” declared Lady Quamby. “Such a lovely girl, your Odette is. I feel I don’t know her as well as I would like to, and this will prove the perfect opportunity. You were always so dear to us, Jack, and we’d like very much to further our acquaintance with the wife you’ve chosen.” Lady Quamby ruffled Diana’s hair, which earned her a scowl and then a smile as Diana’s aunt said, “You don’t mind continuing to see your mother in the company of Mr Patmore, do you, Diana?”

She shook her head. “Not if he tells me more about the elephants in India which I could ride if I lived there. He’s very interesting.”

“Just as Lord Derry is!” Bertram said robustly.