An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘Well, apparently he’s changed now he’s the Earl of Staunton.’

‘I see.’ Lady Jarrow stood up and walked across to the window. ‘By the way, I received your correspondence. I wrote back and gave you permission to tell Samuel everything. You probably passed the letter on your way here.’ She sighed. ‘In light of what’s happened I wish I’d replied sooner.’

‘It doesn’t make any difference now that he’s shown his true colours.’

‘One night of foolishness doesn’t make him his father.’

‘No, but it’s a start. In any case, our engagement is over and I’ve come home. My mother is happy staying with her family for a while, but that’s her life, not mine. I should never have left Bath in the first place.’

‘And you intend to have nothing more to do with my grandson?’ Lady Jarrow turned to face her again. ‘Is that what you’re telling me?’

‘I think it would be for the best.’

‘I see. You didn’t love him, then, when you agreed to marry him?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘But you can’t have, to walk away so easily. I never thought of you as defeatist before.’

‘It wasn’t easy.’

‘Yet you chose the easiest option of all, running away as soon as things became difficult. I’m disappointed. I thought you were the kind of woman who could face a challenge, but you’ve simply reverted to all your old prejudices. Personally, I don’t believe that a woman in love would ever do such a thing.’

Anna leapt to her feet, stung by the words, especially the grain of truth behind them. Was that what she’d done? Jumped on the

first excuse she could find to flee back to Bath? She didn’t want to think so, but then she hadn’t given herself much time to consider. She’d left Staunton as soon as she’d got back from the tavern without giving Samuel a chance to explain himself. Without even waiting to find out if he was all right. Now that she thought about it, the fight might have been dangerous. Was he all right?

She tossed her head at the Baroness anyway. ‘That may be your opinion, but you’ve no right to say so.’

‘I have every right. I’m his grandmother and I shall speak as I find. It seems to me that he’s had a lucky escape. After everything he’s been through, Samuel deserves someone who’ll love him no matter what.’

‘I do love him!’

‘Good.’ Lady Jarrow’s accusatory manner fell away instantly. ‘I thought it was about time you said so. Now sit down again, my dear, and let’s start at the beginning. You accepted my grandson’s proposal when you didn’t know whether or not he’d inherit, is that true?’

‘Yes.’ Anna subsided back down onto the sofa. ‘We were preparing to come back here together when we found out about Clarissa.’

‘That must have been a terrible shock.’

‘Yes, but Samuel’s behaviour afterwards...’

‘Was irresponsible, but perhaps understandable given the circumstances. He found himself trapped in a future he didn’t want and doubtless afraid that you might have changed your mind about marrying him. People can behave out of character at such times.’

‘Well, yes...’

‘As for his threat to throw Clarissa out of Staunton—did he go through with it?’

‘No.’

‘And the servants who went along with the deception?’

‘No.’

‘Then it seems to me his behaviour consisted of a few angry words and some foolishness in the local tavern.’

‘You weren’t there.’

‘No, I wasn’t.’ Lady Jarrow’s voice softened. ‘And I’m not trying to condone his behaviour either, but before you come to any decision, tell me, what do you know of Samuel’s childhood?’