Page 30 of Lady Audacious
Reuben tugged at one of Emily’s curls. ‘Willow it is then.’
‘Sarah and I made Miss Aspen’s acquaintance this afternoon.’ Emily’s casual announcement guaranteed her Reuben’s full attention.
‘Did you indeed? Did you like what you saw?’
‘She seems an ambitious young woman.’ It was Sarah who replied. ‘I cannot say I approve of ladies taking on work best left to men, but I don’t suppose she is doing so through choice, so I do not hold it against her and wish her well. She will need it since you can be sure that every tradesman in the district will attempt to exploit her just because she is a woman.’
‘Very likely,’ the countess agreed.
‘She was very cross with you for trying to purchase her property, Reuben,’ Emily said playfully. ‘And for that I cannot blame her.’
‘I stand duly chastened,’ Reuben replied, attempting to contain a smile.
‘Well anyway, I am sure that she and I will be the best of friends. I told her that if she needs any help, she has but to say the word.’
‘That was considerate, squirt, but she seemed to me to be fiercely independent, and it will go against her instincts to ask for help of any sort.’
‘Did she mention when the rest of her family will be arriving?’ the countess asked. ‘One assumes there must be a mother or chaperone, even if she has no male relatives. It’s reasonable to assume that she does not have a father or brother, otherwise he would be here arranging the works himself. Unless he is a very lazy person, the type of whom I would not approve.’
‘No, ma’am,’ Sarah replied. ‘Her attitude did not encourage personal questions of that nature, but if she has a mother or, say, an aunt, one assumes she would have accompanied her charge, rather than leaving her here all alone.’
‘It would have been perfectly natural for you to ask about the rest of her family and I fail to see why she would be offended by one’s natural curiosity,’ the countess replied.
‘Perhaps she thinks her affairs are none of our concern,’ Arthur suggested. ‘Which, in fairness, they are not.’
‘She will discover that everyone knows everyone else’s business in the country,’ Beth remarked, ‘and nothing stays secret for long.’
‘If she has something in her past that she wants to keep secret,’ the countess said, ‘then I am worried about her making an adverse impression upon the district.’
‘Pray do not overset yourself, Mama,’ Emily chided. ‘I saw no harm in her. I admire her spirit, in fact, and would definitely like to know her better.’
‘Well, my dear, if you are sure. Dear Sarah seems less impressed by what she saw and she is older than you and more versed in the ways of the world. You would do well to be guided by her. Miss Aspen might have ulterior motives.’
Reuben somehow refrained from rolling his eyes or seeking clarification, aware that his mother’s lively imagination had few limits.
Emily’s mouth fell open and her eyes widened. ‘Mama, that’s quite ridiculous!’
‘Which rather proves my point, my love,’ the countess replied, looking troubled. ‘You see nothing but good in everyone.’
‘I doubt whether Miss Aspen will have time to make friendships, given the enormity of the task she has taken on,’ Sarah said, glancing at Reuben as she spoke, as though expecting him to support her assertion, thereby assuring Miss Aspen’s exclusion from their circle.
‘Well, that’s convenient from our perspective,’ the countess said. ‘Ah, is that the bell. The Mortimers are punctual, as always.’
Reuben was grateful for the timely arrival of their guests. It brought to an end the discussion about Miss Aspen and meant that he would be easily able to avoid Sarah’s exclusive company, at least for that evening. Ever since learning of her aspirations, he had felt uneasy, worried that she might be desperate enough to trap him in some way. He was now on his guard and equally determined that she would not get the opportunity.
He was acutely conscious of her watching him like a cat toying with its prey. He told himself repeatedly that there was nothing she could do to entice him into marriage, but was also aware, now that he’d been forced to give the matter consideration, that she possessed a conniving nature. He had seen one or two examples of it in her dealings with servants when she chastised them excessively for minor transgressions. He had never allowed her behaviour to concern him unduly. It hadn’t seemed relevant.
Until now.
‘Another week until the big race, Amberley,’ Mortimer said over dinner. ‘Now that Chase has retired, the rest of us have a chance. Get ready to concede defeat gracefully.’
Reuben laughed. ‘Chase’s son is keen to follow in his father’s footsteps.’
‘Keep telling yourself that.’
‘Oh, Archer is very fast,’ Emily said, smiling complacently. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t make that admission. I think Reuben was hoping to surprise you with his turn of speed but it seems only fair to set you on your guard.’
‘You take a keen interest in the sport, Lady Emily,’ Mortimer’s son remarked.
