A Most Unconventional Courtship

His timing was perfect; the butler was just emerging to announce dinner. ‘She saved my life,’he said simply. ‘Please excuse me, I believe in Sir Thomas’s absence I am taking in Lady Trevick, and here comes the Count to claim your hand.’

A prolonged dinner would give her ladyship plenty of time to recover from the shock and any defensiveness and to get her own story arranged. The less embarrassment she felt discussing such a sensitive family matter with a stranger, the better it would be for Alessa.

Chance assisted his hostess into her seat, declined her flattering invitation to take the head of the table and sat at her right hand, paying Lady Blackstone at the other end no attention whatsoever. Whatever happened, he wanted no suspicion to arise that he and Alessa were anything but chance-met strangers, thrown together by the drama of the attack upon him. It was going to be difficult enough hiding the fact that Alessa took in washing.

His ploy worked. As they strolled out again into the moonlit evening Chance found himself neatly steered into Sir Thomas’s study, its doors opening out a little way along the terrace.

‘Ma’am?’

‘This young lady you referred to.’ Her ladyship was too agitated to apply any poise to her questioning. ‘What is her name?’

‘Alexandra.’ He saw the name strike home—the green eyes watching him widened. ‘I do not know her family name. How delightful if she should prove to be a distant relative of yours.’

‘How old is she?’

‘Perhaps twenty-four or five. I was waylaid by thieves one evening, just outside her door, and took refuge in her house; hence the injuries that left me limping until a few days ago.’

‘And what are her circumstances?’ Lady Blackstone’s fingers were tight on her fan. She seemed to be holding herself still by sheer force of will. Chance felt a flash of sympathy. What must it be like to be so close to finding an unknown niece, the only child of a long-lost brother? Whatever the rift that had driven Meredith from his family, there must have been happy childhood memories this elegant, apparently assured lady cherished and mourned for.

‘She supports herself modestly, but respectably, by making herbal remedies. Kyria Alessa, as she is known, supplies the Residency among many other establishments. She lives with a female companion and with two orphan children she has rescued—she’s funding their education.’To describe Kate Street, whom he had every suspicion had at some time earned her keep as a game pullet, as a female companion, was stretching truth to its limits, but he sincerely hoped Kate would never have to meet Lady Blackstone.

Honoria Blackstone looked at him sharply. ‘The children are not hers?’

‘Not in the family sense, no. But she regards them as her charge, having taken them in.’

‘I see.’ She walked away from him, the short train of her evening gown swishing softly over the wide boards. ‘I suppose it is just possible that she might be a connection. I will call upon her when we return to the town.’

‘She is staying only a short distance away. I met her by accident today, which is what called her to mind; it seems she has brought the children away for a short holiday in the next village. They have come to visit an old woman for whom she feels a responsibility.’

‘Quite a philanthropist, this young person.’

Chance winced inside at the sharp edge to Lady Blackstone’s voice. She was wary, unwilling to accept anything until she saw the proof.

‘Indeed,’ he responded, concealing his feelings. ‘From what I have seen of her, she has all the instincts of a lady. Should I bring her to speak to you, ma’am? Tomorrow, perhaps?’ Chance had no intention of leading Lady Blackstone up a mule track through the olive groves to call on a humble cottage, still less to be glowered at by old Agatha.

‘Yes. Very well. It is probably a coincidence and she is no connection, but, naturally, I would like to know. Three o’clock tomorrow, if that can be arranged.’

‘I will send a note.’ Chance affected a tone of disinterest. ‘Doubtless the villa staff will be able to find the right direction.’

Alessa turned the note over in her hands, folded it, unfolded it, then finally smoothed it out on the table and read it through. It was the first, and probably the last, letter she would ever have from Chance and ridiculously her fingertips traced the bold black slash of his signature. He had written nothing that hinted at any sort of relationship between them. Was that tact—or simply that he did not regard what had happened as of any significance?

Lady Blackstone thinks it possible you may be a family connection, and naturally would like the opportunity to meet you. Three this afternoon would be convenient to her ladyship. I believe it will not be necessary for you to be accompanied by anyone else from your household, including your female companion, as Lady Blackstone will, of course, be able to chaperon you.

Amused by the idea of Kate as a lady’s companion, Alessa took the hint. Chance had prepared the ground, now it was up to her, if this Lady Blackstone truly was her aunt, to establish herself with credit.

Alessa borrowed Agatha’s white mule and set out at two wearing her Sunday best. She had no fashionable clothes, only the traditional island costume she had worn for years, but this dress was her finest, the edge trimmed with old embroidery. Her stockings were pure white, her blouse full-sleeved and inset with lace. On her head she had perched a pert saucer of a straw hat with broad black ribbons tying it behind her chignon, and her mother’s filigree earrings dangled in her ears. Lady Blackstone might be startled, but she would have no reason to reproach her niece for shabby or immodest clothing.

‘Alessa!’ Chance appeared as she rode into the yard at the back of the villa. ‘You look very fine.’ He lifted her down from the mule, stepping back to admire her while keeping his firm hold on her waist. His hands were warm and strong and the memory of how they had felt on her naked skin brought the heat to her cheeks. ‘Come along inside and I will tell you what I have said to your aunt.’

‘You are sure she is?’ Alessa let herself be pulled inside, through the back door and along the shadowy corridor that led towards the front.

‘Beyond doubt. Here, this should be safe enough.’ He stopped outside an empty storeroom and ducked inside. Alessa followed and listened, nodding at intervals as he described his interview of the day before. ‘Lady Blackstone is cautious, which is understandable, but you will win her over,’ he concluded. Alessa did not speak, her mind whirling with the realisation that this, after all these years, was the moment when she would meet a member of her family. How did she feel?

‘You look pale.’ Chance was regarding her closely in the gloom.

‘I am nervous,’ Alessa confessed. He still had hold of her hand and she gripped it hard. ‘Will you come in with me?’

‘No, better if this is in private. And I do not want to let her guess how well we know each other: she might imagine some impropriety.’