An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘Close to Derbyshire.’

‘Ah.’ There was an extended moment of silence before his gaze slid slowly back to his grandmother. ‘What a coincidence.’

‘Isn’t it?’ The Baroness tossed her head imperiously. ‘In fact, the estate is only a matter of miles from Staunton, but naturally a reconciliation takes time. These things shouldn’t be rushed. Personally, I think it would be best for all concerned if Miss Fortini and her mother stayed with you at Staunton Manor for the duration of their visit. You’ll be doing a service for each other.’

‘But only if you’re willing.’ Anna threw a pointed look at the Baroness. ‘If you really object, then my mother and I can stay at an inn. We’re perfectly capable.’

‘I shan’t hear of it.’ The Baroness stiffened indignantly. ‘Not when...’

‘Stay with me at Staunton Manor?’ Samuel’s voice was like granite. ‘After I’ve told you, repeatedly, that I have no intention of visiting.’

‘And I’ve told you not to be so foolish. Honestly, anyone would think that I meddled for fun and not for your own good. Now, I ought to return to my guests. In the meantime, I’ll leave Miss Fortini to talk some sense into you.’

Anna clenched her jaw, waiting until the older woman had gone back inside before slowing sighing out a breath. ‘I’m sorry. I’m not sure what just happened.’

‘My grandmother just happened. It’s not your fault.’ Samuel twisted his head to one side as if he were trying to ease a crick in his neck. ‘Are you really sure you want to go and visit yours? I’m starting to think they’re overrated as a relation.’

She gave a soft laugh. ‘I don’t want to, no, but my mother will and I need to go with her.’ She paused. ‘Only I get the strange feeling that your grandmother’s been planning all this from the start.’

‘I wouldn’t put it past her.’

‘Although she might be right about your visiting Staunton.’

‘You’re agreeing with her?’ His eyes glinted dangerously.

‘Not necessarily, but I think she has a point about your learning about the estate beforehand, just in case.’

‘While my cousin’s widow is still in residence? You don’t think that would be monstrously tactless?’

‘It’s...unfortunate, but it’s not as if you’d be asking to see the accounts. You’re just going to see the place so it won’t be such a shock if you do inherit. I understand your reservations, but perhaps it’s a necessary evil.’

He held on to her gaze for several long seconds before rubbing a hand over his face. ‘Maybe it is, but if I had my way, I’d never set eyes on the place at all.’

‘Why?’ She took a step towards him. ‘Why are you so against the idea?’

‘I told you, that side of the family never wanted me. The idea of me being the one to inherit their name and estates was their worst nightmare. And maybe they were right to fear it. Maybe you were right, too, not about the aristocracy in general, but about some of us.’ He frowned. ‘My father was the worst kind of aristocrat. What were the words you used? Indolent and debauched. Well, that was him. He gambled and drank away every shilling he ever had and I have his blood. What if I turn out to be just as dissolute? What if I can’t be trusted to inherit?’

‘Oh.’ She wasn’t sure which part of his statement to address first. ‘Do you drink and gamble?’

‘In moderation and never.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘I don’t even play whist.’

‘Then why are you worried about that?’

‘Because I haven’t always shown good judgement. Do you know why I accompanied Mr Hoxley to your shop that first afternoon? Because I was bored. I’d spent months on dry land drinking tea and making calls and I was bored to tears. What if I inherit Staunton and I can’t bear that, either?’

‘If you inherit, then I doubt you’ll have time to get bored. From what I understand, it takes a lot of work to run an estate.’

‘Are you defending the aristocracy now?’

‘No, just you, and you’re not your father. You’re a captain in the Navy. If you were so easily led astray, then you would never have made it to that rank.’ She frowned. ‘And it can’t be boredom that really worries you. You said yourself that the navy was boring at times. No...’ she shook her head ‘...there has to be another reason.’

He quirked an eyebrow. ‘You think you know me so well?’

‘It just doesn’t make sense that you’d be afraid of turning into your father. You already know that you’re not really.’

The skin across his jaw seemed to stretch with tension. ‘Well, then, maybe some things can’t be explained.’

‘Or maybe you know, but you don’t want to admit it?’