An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘I’d be delighted, Captain. Excuse me, my lord.’ Her black eyelashes fluttered as she dipped into another curtsy and then threaded her hand through his arm, allowing him to draw her along the side of the room.

‘You seem different, Miss Fortini.’ Samuel tilted his head towards hers as they walked, his lips grazing inadvertently against one of her curls, though he still had to raise his voice to be heard above the crowd.

‘That’s because I made up my mind to enjoy myself. According to my mother I don’t do it often enough so I’ve decided to get out of my shop and start.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. How are the riding lessons going?’

She gave him a startled look, as if she hadn’t expected him to broach the subject. ‘Your grandmother didn’t tell you?’

‘Tell me what?’

‘That I never came back after...well, the last time. Only for some reason she still insists on sending her maids to help me with the baking every morning. I’ve told them they don’t need to, but they say they daren’t not.’

‘Do you blame them?’

‘Not at all. To be honest, it’s quite pleasant. We get the work done in half the time, then we all sit around the table and eat breakfast.’

‘Then I’m pleased you’re enjoying a rest.’

‘I am and I have to admit the extra sleep has been very nice.’ Her expression turned faintly guilty. ‘The other morning I stayed in bed until seven o’clock.’

‘Well, Miss Fortini, I’m shocked...’ He smiled, although the mention of bed made his breeches feel somewhat tighter. ‘And how was the experience?’

‘Wonderful.’ Her lips widened and he felt a glow in his chest, as if her smile were actually warming his insides in several different locations now.

‘In that case, I’m glad my grandmother is so domineering. Just this once.’

‘Talking about me again?’ The Baroness swooped down on them suddenly, peacock feathers waving on top of her elaborately arranged hairstyle.

‘Only in the nicest possible terms, Grandmother.’

‘I don’t believe it.’ She dipped a feather towards his companion. ‘He’s been in a perfectly foul temper for the past three weeks. I would have sent him away from Bath if I hadn’t thought he’d take it as an opportunity to run back to sea again.’

‘Well, he’s being perfectly charming now.’ Miss Fortini smiled. To his surprise, despite the fact that she claimed to have spurned further riding lessons, there didn’t appear to be any friction between her and his grandmother.

‘Then it must be thanks to your company. I insist upon the pair of you sitting together at supper.’

‘Oh, I don’t know...’ She glanced towards him uncertainly.

‘Unless you’re promised elsewhere?’ He lifted an eyebrow, almost wishing that he’d punched Lambert when he’d had the chance.

‘No, but I wouldn’t want you to feel obligated.’

‘I’d be honoured.’

‘Good. Then it’s settled,’ the Baroness announced with an air of finality. ‘Now, where is your grandfather? If he’s hiding in his library, then we shall have words.’

Samuel watched as she sallied forth again, struck with the distinct impression that his grandmother was matchmaking. Which was a ridiculous idea given the uncertainty of his current circumstances, only on this particular occasion he didn’t seem to mind...

‘Miss Fortini.’ He took the opportunity to draw her into an alcove half-hidden behind a tall potted palm. ‘I believe that I owe you an apology f

or the way we parted three weeks ago.’

‘Anna,’ she corrected him. ‘You can call me Anna and I believe I owe you one, too. In fact, I owe you two. One for my behaviour that morning and one for not accepting your last apology about Henrietta. I should have forgiven you.’

The words caught him by surprise. ‘Well then, perhaps our apologies cancel each other out? And my name, incidentally, is Samuel.’

‘Samuel.’ Her eyelashes fluttered. ‘I thought about some of the things you said and I realised that you were right. I have been too prejudiced.’