An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘Is that Staunton?’

He looked around to see Anna’s head poking out of the carriage window, one of her arms gesturing into the distance. His next impulse was to turn his horse and ride south again without looking, but since he couldn’t do that, he braced himself to look in the direction of her hand instead.

He already knew the answer, of course. They’d passed through Staunton village a couple of minutes before so there was really only one house it could be. Her question was surely rhetorical, though the amazement in her voice suggested an element of disbelief, too.

Slowly, he looked up and understood why. Staunton Manor put even his grandparents’ hall in Rutland to shame, though in fact there was not one, but two Staunton Manors, a huge red-brick mansion standing beside the ruins of a smaller, much older-looking stone building. Set amid perfectly maintained lawns and woodland, the old and the new were located side by side at the top of a south-facing incline that looked out over rolling hills towards a range of peaks in the distance. He’d been told the new building was Tudor, built during the latter half of the sixteenth century in a then-popular Renaissance style, but what it lacked in modernity, it more than made up for in extravagance. From their vantage point on the drive the afternoon sun reflected off a row of large, vertical windows, ten on each of the four levels by the look of it, making the whole frontage seem to sparkle.

He let his gaze roam over the assorted towers and cupolas and projecting bays, each of them emblazoned with intricate patterns of heraldic symbols and crests. It was impossible not to admire the attention to detail. Even the drive was impressive, lined with topiary in intriguing, though not always recognisable, shapes, all leading towards a large gravelled area in front of the house. The whole place exuded rank and ostentation, as he imagined it was supposed to, not to mention wealth and power, yet somehow it had all come down to him. Briefly, he wondered what its original owner would have thought about that. Nothing that bore repeating, he imagined.

To his horror, however, worse was to come. As they drew closer, he saw literally dozens of people start to gather on the front steps—the entire household staff, by the look of it—led by the butler and housekeeper, though there was no sign of anyone resembling the lady of the house. Which was one small mercy, at least. The last thing he wanted was an audience to watch his meeting with Percival’s widow, though he couldn’t help but wonder why she was absent.

Unfortunately, there was nowhere to go but forward and no way to arrive unobtrusively, either. He smothered a few choice swear words and jumped down from his horse reluctantly.

‘Captain Delaney.’ The butler executed a bow so low that his nose almost scraped along the gravel. ‘It’s an honour to meet you, sir. We received your request to prepare rooms for yourself and two others. May I present the staff?’

Samuel’s first thought was no. No, he could not present the staff. The staff, for all he cared, could all go and take leaps into the nearest lake, but they were all staring expectantly at him...

‘I’m not sure that would be appropriate.’ He glanced towards one of the upper windows, where he thought he noticed a flicker of movement. ‘Considering Lady Staunton.’

‘It was her order, sir.’ The butler looked embarrassed. ‘She was most particular about it.’

‘Ah. I see. Very well, then.’

He gritted his teeth, following the butler along an interminable line of staff and giving nods at appropriate places until the housekeeper finally came to his rescue.

‘Perhaps yourself and your guests would care for some tea in the drawing room, Captain?’

‘That would be most welcome, Mrs...’ He racked his memory for the name he’d just been given.

‘Minty.’ Anna’s voice murmured behind him.

‘Minty,’ he echoed. ‘Will Lady Staunton be joining us?’

‘I’m afraid that her ladyship has a headache.’ The housekeeper’s eyes dropped to the floor, though not before he saw a definite flash of panic. ‘She said that she’ll see you at dinner, Captain.’

‘Ah. I see.’ He glanced back at Anna with a look of gratitude and relief, extending an arm before leading her up the front steps towards a door set at a right angle in one of the projecting bays.

‘The drawing room is just through here.’ The housekeeper led them through a cavernous, stone-floored hallway, empty except for a collection of wooden chairs by the fireplace, then along a side corridor and into a large, oak-panelled room. ‘I’ll attend to the tea.’

‘You did very well.’ Anna squeezed his arm once the housekeeper had departed. ‘That can’t have been easy.’

He gave a tight smile. ‘At least I’m used to inspections.’

‘That’s true.’ She let him go and wandered across to one of the tall sash windows. ‘I suppose that managing a large household is a bit like running a ship. And maybe an estate is like a fleet.’ She glanced back at him thoughtfully. ‘That would make you an admiral.’

‘I appreciate the confidence.’ He looked around at the elegantly decorated, cream-coloured drawing room. ‘So here we are. It’s a beautiful house.’

‘It is.’

‘You could fit a whole ship into that hallway.’

‘And still have room for my shop in one corner.’

‘Where’s your mother?’ Samuel twisted around, acutely aware that they were finally alone together.

‘She said she wanted a stroll through the gardens after being cooped up for so long. I think she’s nervous about tomorrow.’

‘What about you?’ He found his gaze riveted on her slender figure as she stood, bathed in sunshine in the window. ‘Are you nervous, too?’