Page 63 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
Graham glanced around and saw the vendors still leaning out of their stalls eyeing them curiously. “Of course,” Graham said complacently. He motioned for Lord Stanhope to step towards a path that led off the road. It was just a little dirt path, but Graham vaguely remembered it from some distant childhood memory.
Lord Stanhope accepted the change of direction with no second thought. They walked a few steps before Graham caught the man by his well-tailored jacket and slammed his back against a nearby oak.
“What is this now!?” Lord Stanhope’s eyes went wide.
Graham remembered the battlefields. He remembered the men yelling. This man had been there, probably safely away from the fighting. “Taking advantage of young women is not behaviour befitting a ranking member of the military, Lord Stanhope.”
“This is hardly the war,” Lord Stanhope spluttered.
Graham growled, “And what was it that you did in the war? Did you ever drag your friends as they bled to death?”
“I–I– well, no,” Lord Stanhope admitted.
Graham leaned in closer. “I did, Lord Stanhope. I fought in that war, not just earned a pretty medal. Let me make something very clear to you. When I say that Miss Browne is under my protection I do not mean that I will snub you at parties like the frivolous members of society.”
“I understand perfectly, Lord Easterly,” Lord Stanhope promised. “I did not harm her, I swear! I was simply taken by her beauty and was overcome by emotions!”
Graham let the man go. He turned on his heel and made his way back to the road with Lord Stanhope behind him. The vendors all looked up at their reappearance.
Lord Stanhope dusted off his jacket, despite there being nothing on it. He fell into step beside Graham as they headed back to Graham’s carriage. Now that he knew Lord Stanhope had not seen his sister, he need not waste any more time with the man.
However, Lord Stanhope seemed intent on following him. “I cannot wait to get out of this backwater.”
Graham tried to stamp down the rest of his anger and let the words of the arrogant imbecile slide right off him. It was still possible one or the other of the women might actually forgive the idiot. Shame welled up in him for not schooling his temper better, but what was done was done.
The time had waxed too long while he had been hunting down Lord Stanhope. The vendors were packing up for the day as the shadows stole across the road where they walked. At this rate, he would not find Amanda before it got dark.
Graham reached his carriage and turned to Lord Stanhope. As he did so, he spied in the distance two familiar figures on horseback. The relief filled his heart at the sight of Amanda and Miss Browne.
He had not thought that she would seek out Miss Browne. His eyes went to Lord Stanhope. His back was to the approaching ladies and so he did not see the approaching. “Did you mean what you said about being overcome with emotion around Miss Browne?”
Lord Stanhope replied, “Of course.” He straightened his jacket as if Graham’s words had reminded him that his jacket had been accosted.
Graham nodded and then spoke up so that his words would drift to the ladies as they approached. “Miss Browne has a dowry. I know this because I put it in place myself. If she chooses to do so, she is free to marry you.”
Lord Stanhope’s eyes lit up at the word dowry. “I would be delighted to marry Miss Browne. Do you think there is a chance she might accept me still?”
“Love is a funny thing, Lord Stanhope,” Graham said, and then he lifted his hand to acknowledge the ladies as they came to a stop behind Lord Stanhope. “Miss Browne, I see that you have found my wayward sister. I was just coming to find her.”
Amanda glared at Graham as she dismounted from her horse, clearly not caring one bit about decorum at the moment. “How dare you?”
Graham frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I will deal with you later,” Amanda spat at her brother. Then she whirled on Lord Stanhope. “Is money the only thing that matters to you? Do not answer! Get out of my sight!”
Lord Stanhope had the good sense to duck and run. Graham watched the man beat a hasty retreat back to the inn. Miss Browne had not bothered dismounting and remained silent as Amanda spun to face Graham. “Of all the petty, low things to do, I never expected you to be the one to do them.”
Graham shrugged. Amanda’s rage did not bother him. He had shown her the truth of Lord Stanhope and his aim had been accomplished. “Why? I had a very good teacher in you, my beloved sister.”
“I have half a mind to ride all the way to London!” Amanda stomped to her horse.
Graham rolled his eyes. “I have no interest in chasing you to London. If you wish to go then just wait and take a carriage in the morning.” Graham turned on his heel. “I’m rather tired and wish to go home.”
“I suppose I will be going now,” Miss Browne said from her horse.
Graham looked at the woman in surprise. “It is dark. I insist you come to Berwick Manor at least for the night. It is the least I can do for you keeping my sister safe.”
Miss Browne looked as though she was going to protest, but Amanda cut in. “Come on, Lotte. I think we shall take the carriage and my gallant brother can ride one of the horses.”
