Dorothy Elbury

by The Viscount's Secret

  ‘Not as such,’ he affirmed slowly, mentally crossing his fingers. Then, as an afterthought, he added briskly, ‘But then I’ve always believed that home is where the heart is.’

  He was still congratulating himself on this swift and witty rejoinder when he observed that Georgina had stopped playing and, head on one side, was looking up at him with a quizzical expression.

  ‘That could be taken to mean that you make your home wherever you happen to find yourself, Mr Latimer,’ she said, a hint of mischief in her eyes. ‘But, since you have just informed me that you have no home, one could just as easily infer that you have no heart!’

  For a moment he was floored. Then a broad smile appeared on his face, followed by a deep throaty chuckle, which caused the rest of the company to turn in their direction.

  ‘What’s the joke?’ asked Radley, as he and Katharine rose to join them.

  ‘I believe I am,’ replied Latimer, still grinning hugely. ‘Miss Cunningham has just taken me down the proverbial peg or two—or, in my case, probably three!’

  Georgina smilingly protested that she would never treat a guest in such an uncivil manner and returned to her music.

  ‘You must have been trying to cozen her,’ Katharine said, eyeing him with interest. ‘You’ll find it a complete waste of time for she is always wide awake on all points.’

  ‘As I have just found out to my cost,’ replied a rueful Latimer, vainly trying to catch Georgina’s eye. ‘Rolled up, bag and baggage, with no quarter given. And that being the case, perhaps it is time that I took my leave.’

  Radley, looking at the clock, nodded. ‘About to suggest the same thing myself, old chap,’ he said. ‘We farmers have to be early risers and I have a great deal to do this week.’ Smiling fondly at his betrothed, he continued, ‘As a matter of fact, Kate has told me that she is keen to accompany me to market this Saturday but, since it was to have been our wedding day, we have now agreed that it will be quite in order to award ourselves a whole day’s holiday—as a sort of compensation for our disappointment.’

  At these words Georgina gave a start and shot an astonished glance at Katharine, whose face was the picture of innocence.

  ‘You’d like to come, too, wouldn’t you, Gina?’ said her sister, calmly nonchalant. ‘We will be doing the whole thing in style and I’ve persuaded Andrew to take the landau, so there will be plenty of room. I do so want to see the new bonnets Madame Suzette has received from London and they’ll very likely all be gone if we wait any longer.’

  ‘Yes, do please say you’ll come,’ Radley begged Georgina. ‘For I’m certain I shall be in great need of your support if I am to prevent Kate from trying on the milliner’s entire stock!’

  Georgina, delighted that Katharine had so cleverly hit upon the very solution that could provide her with the means to execute her own mission, replied that she would be very happy to accompany them, adding, however, that she doubted that she had ever had a great deal of influence where Katharine’s choice of headwear was concerned, which raised a hearty laugh all round.

  Latimer, having observed Georgina’s slight start at her sister’s suggestion, was struck with the thought that there was more in this outing than a simple visit to a milliner’s and was immediately filled with curiosity.

  ‘Might I also crave a seat with you?’ he solicited Radley. ‘I have several packages I need to take to the mailing-office and, if you have space, I’d be most grateful.’

  ‘Oh, splendid!’ Katharine clapped her hands with glee. ‘A real outing!’ She turned eagerly to her fiancé. ‘And Andrew will buy us all a luncheon at the Green Man, won’t you, Andrew? We haven’t done anything this exciting for ages. It will be such fun!’

  Radley laughingly promised to give the matter some thought and, after agreeing the final details for the proposed outing, he and Latimer thanked Mrs Cunningham for a most pleasant evening and, ‘goodnights’ having been exchanged all round, the gentlemen departed.

  Georgina was somewhat at a loss as to how she intended to absent herself from the others for sufficient time to carry out her mission, but refused to be daunted, for she found herself looking forward to the outing with considerable optimism and not a little excitement at the thought of spending more time in the company of the enigmatic Mr Latimer.

  Chapter Four

  ‘I’ve been wondering how that young man will go on for his meals now that he can’t get up to the inn,’ remarked Becky Harper, as Mrs Cunningham came from the garden carrying a trug full of flowers.

  Mrs Cunningham shot her a startled look. ‘I’m afraid I don’t follow you, Becky.’

  ‘Annie Jacklin tells me he usually calls in at the Running Fox for one of Hetty Palmer’s hot dishes,’ Becky told her. ‘It struck me that he’ll not be up to doing that for the next couple of days, that’s for sure.’

  A worried frown creased Mrs Cunningham’s brow. ‘Oh, my goodness!’ she exclaimed, setting down her burden and hastily removing her gardening gloves. ‘How foolish of me not to have realised! We must make up a basket to tide Mr Latimer over. Daniel shall take it down to the cottage immediately.’

  She walked over to the larder and, picking up a large basket, began to select items from the shelves.

  Becky, shaking her head, got up to join her at the task. ‘Dan’s taken Poll up to the blacksmith for re-shoeing,’ she reminded her employer. ‘He’s not likely to be back much before four o’clock.’

  Mrs Cunningham hesitated. ‘I suppose I could go myself,’ she said slowly. ‘But I had made up my mind to start sorting out the catalogues to the Reverend’s books this afternoon.’

  ‘You could send Master Rupert,’ suggested Becky, cutting a generous helping from her freshly baked veal-and-ham pie and wrapping it carefully in a piece of muslin before adding it to the growing stack of provisions in the basket. ‘He is to blame for the poor young man’s infirmity, after all.’

  ‘That’s true,’ returned Mrs Cunningham with a sigh. ‘But with Rupert one cannot be too sure that these offerings would arrive at their intended destination undamaged! One of the girls must go with him. I suppose Katharine is over at the Radleys’?’

  Becky nodded, then added helpfully, ‘I passed Miss Georgina in the sitting room not ten minutes ago—she was mending pillow cases, I believe.’

  Mrs Cunningham’s face brightened. ‘Oh, splendid!’ she said. ‘I’m sure that Georgina will not object to accompanying Rupert down to the cottage and she is usually more successful at controlling his exuberance than Katharine!’

  Georgina willingly complied with her mother’s request, but was careful, none the less, not to appear overly enthusiastic to pay the call. She suggested, therefore, that a brisk walk would also do the studious Sophie a power of good. Then, having located her brother and waited somewhat impatiently while her mother scrubbed his hands and face, she set out for Blanchard’s with her two younger siblings, eager to further her acquaintance with their charismatic neighbour.

  With a rueful expression on his face, Latimer peered into his rented cottage’s commodious pantry and surveyed its meagre contents. Self-housekeeping had not been uppermost in his mind when he had set out on this adventure. Until yesterday he had simply to walk up to the village inn for a robust helping of one of several delicious alternatives on the innkeeper’s bill of fare and then pick up the odd extra from the village store on his return.

  Having chosen not to replenish his provisions on the previous afternoon, he was dismayed to discover that his entire stock was now reduced to a small crust of bread, an indifferent-looking piece of cheese and what might remain of the ale in the half-flagon container on the marble shelf in front of him.

  He tested his weight on his damaged ankle and grimaced. It was clear that he would be unable to get to the village today and, unless there was a vast improvement overnight, possibly not tomorrow either. He contemplated trying to make it as far as the Cunningham house, which was less than half a mile away, but then drew the line at the ignominy of sc
rounging another meal from his neighbours, generous though they undoubtedly were.

  Eyeing the platter of bread and cheese with distaste, he nevertheless picked it up and hobbled over to the kitchen table to fetch a knife from the drawer, sternly reminding himself that he had survived on far worse fare during his days in the Peninsula.

  There came a sudden insistent jangle from the front door bell and, grabbing his cane, he limped along the hallway, his eyes brightening with pleasure as he opened the door and saw his unexpected visitors.

  ‘It was Mama’s idea,’ began Georgina hurriedly, her initial confidence slightly shaken when she beheld Latimer’s undisguised expression of delight. ‘It occurred to her that you might be without adequate provender and, since we hold ourselves responsible for your lack of mobility, she begs that you will accept these few items to tide you over until you are able to make your own arrangements.’

  ‘How extraordinary!’ said Latimer as he stood back to allow the group to enter. ‘I was just this moment castigating myself for my failure in remembering to stock my pantry properly—I really should know better, having been in the army for so many years!’

  He followed them into the kitchen and eyed the mouth-watering contents of the basket eagerly.

  ‘Becky has sent you a huge piece of her pie,’ pointed out Rupert gleefully. ‘That shows you must have found favour with her!’

  ‘I’m completely overwhelmed,’ said Latimer. ‘I really don’t know how to thank you all.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ returned Georgina, who was already in the process of unpacking her mother’s offerings and stowing them on to the shelves in the pantry. ‘We are only too happy to be of assistance.’

  She turned, as a thought occurred to her. ‘I take it that you have had no lunch, then?’ she asked. When he shook his head she seized a plate from the dresser and began to pile it with a selection of delicacies.

  ‘Sit down at once,’ she ordered him. ‘You must eat—your ankle will never heal, if you do not feed yourself!’

  Latimer hesitated. He was quite hungry, it was true, but he was more concerned that Georgina, having fulfilled her duty to her mother by bringing him the much-needed provisions, would simply collect the empty basket and bid him farewell, and then he would be obliged to wait until Saturday before he would see her again.

  She, having been unable to think of any good reason why she should remain, was already beckoning the two youngsters, who were standing at the open back door looking out over the extensive garden. ‘Come along, children, we must leave Mr Latimer to enjoy his meal in peace.’

  ‘Must you go immediately?’ he entreated. ‘I assure you that I would be very glad of the company and I can easily eat later.’

  At his words Rupert spun round eagerly. ‘Do let’s stay for a bit, Gina,’ he exclaimed. ‘I see there are croquet hoops already set out on the lawn! I haven’t played since I was at school—our own mallets were broken ages ago, you remember.’

  ‘A splendid idea!’ Latimer broke in. ‘The equipment is kept in the pavilion—perhaps the children would like a game while I show you round the garden?’

  Delighted that such a simple solution to her quandary had been found, Georgina heaved an inward sigh of relief. ‘You are supposed to be keeping off your foot, Mr Latimer,’ she admonished him gently. ‘Although, I have heard that Blanchard’s garden is much admired and would welcome the opportunity to look it over—if you promise me that you will remain seated while I do so.’

  It was better than nothing and, eager to keep her here as long as it was decently possible, Latimer agreed that he would sit out on the terrace and direct her to all the finer points of the garden. His eyes followed Georgina as she collected the equipment from the nearby pavilion and helped the two youngsters set up the ball game. His lips curved in appreciation when he heard her reminding Rupert to allow for his little sister’s lesser ability, after which, to his intense joy, she then returned to his bench and sat down beside him.

  ‘I am reminded that you mentioned you would be glad of some company, Mr Latimer,’ she said with a smile. ‘But, if the children are engrossed in playing croquet and I am wandering about the garden, it seems to me that we will be no company for you at all!’

  ‘Well, given the choice, I should certainly prefer to engage you in one of our spirited exchanges!’ he assured her, flashing one of his more devastating smiles in her direction. ‘And, if you wouldn’t object, perhaps I could persuade you to postpone your examination of the world-famous horticulture until a later date?’

  ‘I suspect that the unparalleled munificence of Blanchard’s landscaping has very likely reached no further than the outskirts of the village,’ she replied, with a twinkle in her eyes. ‘However, I’m not altogether sure I ought to pass up such a singular opportunity to view its wonders!’

  ‘Not singular, surely,’ he protested, laughing. ‘As far as I am concerned the opportunities are innumerable—you have my permission to stroll through the floral splendours whenever the fancy takes you, provided that you allow me to accompany you, of course.’

  Georgina’s smile widened. ‘I shall take that proviso into consideration, but it seems I will have to contain my curiosity until you are back on both feet,’ she pointed out, inclining her head towards his still-bandaged ankle. ‘Is there any improvement today, do you think?’

  His eyes gleamed. ‘Well, I am bound to confess that your tender concern for the welfare of my foot tempts me to exaggerate its painfulness in the hope of even greater solicitude on your part!’

  ‘Mr Latimer!’ she scolded laughingly. ‘You promised me that you would desist from making such out-and-out flirtatious remarks!’

  Latimer adopted a sorrowful look. ‘My pardon, Miss Cunningham,’ he said in mock meekness. ‘I just can’t seem to stop myself when I am in your presence!’

  Stifling her laughter, Georgina endeavoured to look severe. ‘Then you really must make more effort, Mr Latimer!’

  He cocked his head at her, an outrageous gleam appearing in his eyes. ‘I undoubtedly require taking in hand. Perhaps you would consider tutoring me in a more acceptable way of going on?’

  ‘It appears to me that you are quite beyond redemption,’ she chuckled, shaking a finger at him. ‘I fear that you have been cooped up on your own far too long—it has obviously affected your senses.’

  ‘It’s clear that something has,’ he agreed cheerfully, then a slight frown creased his brow as a delicate blush covered her cheeks and her eyes dropped away from his. With an inward groan, he wondered if he had stepped out of line.

  ‘But, as to my ankle,’ he continued hurriedly, ‘being a truthful sort of fellow, I am reluctantly obliged to admit that it is actually well on the mend.’

  Georgina, who had been endeavouring to control the unruly beating of her heart, looked up at once with a relieved smile on her face. ‘I am happy to learn of your foot’s imminent recovery,’ she said, ‘and I have to admit that I’m more than relieved to hear that you are a truthful fellow—not that I ever supposed you to be otherwise!’

  There was a moment’s silence as Latimer struggled to gather his scattered wits. Was this the chance he had been waiting for? he contemplated anxiously, and wondered how best he might broach the complicated subject of his subterfuge.

  Georgina immediately registered his change of expression and the smile was wiped from her face as a sudden chill ran through her. He surely had not taken her teasing wordplay seriously?

  ‘Oh, dear,’ she said swiftly, laying her hand on his arm. ‘My foolish tongue! Now I’ve offended you—I do apologise.’

  Latimer grasped her hand. ‘It is for me to apologise, Miss Cunningham,’ he blurted out. ‘There is something I need to tell you….’

  But a loud wail of dismay from Sophie interrupted his words and at once Georgina leapt to her feet and hurried across the grass to her sister’s side.

  ‘He deliberately nudged my arm!’ protested the little girl, hitting out at her brother with her f
ists.

  ‘Oh, poor show, Rupert!’ admonished Georgina, pulling her sister away from him.

  The boy shrugged. ‘I was letting her get ahead anyway,’ he said truculently. ‘She’s absolutely no fun to play against. Her balls go all over the place—I just got fed up.’

  Georgina glanced up apologetically to Latimer, who had hobbled over to join the group. ‘It would appear to be time to leave,’ she said, with a slightly self-conscious laugh. She was deeply embarrassed that her siblings had behaved so badly, but uppermost in her mind was her disappointment that the light-hearted exchanges between Latimer and herself had concluded on such an unsatisfactory note.

  Latimer, inwardly fuming at Fate’s capricious intervention, realised that he no longer had any reason to detain them and stood silently to one side as Georgina escorted the subdued Sophie back to the house, leaving their brother to collect up the equipment. His frustration was such, however, that he could not forbear from shaking his head at the youngster and murmuring ‘Hardly sporting, old chap,’ as the boy passed him.

  A scarlet hue suffused Rupert’s face, but he did not reply. Head bent, he gathered up the remaining balls and returned them to the box in the pavilion, before closing the door carefully behind him. Latimer did his best to catch his eye as the boy walked back towards him, but Rupert kept his face averted and followed his sisters into the house.

  By the time Latimer had climbed the terrace steps both Sophie and Rupert had, with Georgina’s encouragement, managed to compose themselves sufficiently to bid him a polite ‘goodbye’ and beg his pardon for their outburst.

  Georgina, too, attempted to add her apologies as Latimer reached out and took her hands in his, but he brushed her words aside.

  ‘My fault,’ he said ruefully. ‘Should have remembered that competition of that sort between siblings is often likely to end in tears—perhaps it would be more sensible if we were to join in the game next time?’