Page 44 of To Marry A Matchmaker

Henri kept her mouth shut and exchanged an amused glance with Robert. Did he remember about how Miss Armstrong had feverishly pursued the good doctor last spring? Or he had forgotten?

‘I never planned to go against the doctor’s wishes, but they did coincide with mine.’ Henri inclined her head. ‘I’m looking forward to hearing all the doings. Sophie has promised that she will tell me every detail.’

‘I am sure you had a hand in her decision, dear Mr Montemorcy. Lady Thorndike is well-known for her stubbornness and her lack of regard for her personal health. She goes out visiting the poor in all sorts of weather.’ Miss Armstrong fluttered her lashes and her voice rivalled treacle for its sweetness as she toyed with the few final bites of the pudding. ‘After all, how could she refuse you such a simple request? You did play the Good Samaritan. I suppose, in the circumstances, it was necessary.’

‘Robert has always been very good to those less fortunate than himself,’ Mrs Ravel said.

‘I rather think it was how fortunate I was to have Lady Thorndike grace my home. She has provided the Ravels with interesting conversation.’ Robert inclined his head and his gaze lingered on Henri, travelling slowly down her neckline. ‘There is nothing unfortunate about Lady Thorndike.’

‘I agree wholeheartedly,’ Sophie called out from where she sat between two elder statesmen of the village. ‘Lady Thorndike does add a certain lustre to the supper.’

Her stepmother gave her a quelling look, but Sophie appeared to be unrepentant.

Henri forced her attention on to the flickering candles, rather than looking at Robert. Miss Armstrong’s insinuation that somehow she had caused Robert to rescue her and that she was imposing caused her blood to boil!

The only thing she was waiting for was for Doctor Lumley to inform her that it was safe to return home. She had no desire to be here at this dinner party, making small talk when she was incredibly aware of the man sitting a little way from her. Robert Montemorcy had a knack of complicating her life.

‘I was lucky Mr Montemorcy happened to be there,’ she said, adopting her best social voice.

‘Some people seem to have a way with accidents,’ Mrs Ravel said. ‘I’m dreadful. I never know what to do. Far better to let cooler heads take charge is my philosophy.’

‘People rarely plan to have an accident, Mrs Ravel.’ Henri gripped her fan a bit tighter. A little over a week being looked after and everyone appeared to forget that she was extremely capable. She’d gone back to the intolerable cotton-wool. ‘I actively try to avoid them.’

‘But Mr Montemorcy was certainly a hero in rescuing you.’ Miss Armstrong’s feathers bobbed in agreement. ‘Corbridge is lucky to have someone like you, Mr Montemorcy.’

‘And I didn’t act the hero either. I simply grabbed the dog’s collar and prevented anything else happening,’ Robert said smoothly. ‘Doing what is right takes little thought. Had Mr Teasdale paid attention to Lady Thorndike’s earlier suggestions, it is doubtful if the dog would’ve ever escaped.’

Henri exchanged glances with Robert and a warm glow infused into her being. He understood. It had been a long time since anyone had understood her in that way.

‘Was the dog destroyed?’ Miss Armstrong gave a small shiver and pulled her lace shawl tighter about her shoulders while simultaneously letting it drop at the front to reveal the depth of her décolleté. ‘I would’ve demanded the dog be destroyed if it had attacked me. You would have done that for me, wouldn’t you, Mr Montemorcy?’

Henri’s stomach clenched. Miss Armstrong seemed determined to stake her claim to Robert. Whereas the situation would have amused her a few weeks ago, now she wanted to make a cutting remark.

‘Would you, Miss Armstrong?’ he said, gesturing towards the hall. ‘It’s fortunate for Boy that he attacked Lady Thorndike as she possesses a much more forgiving nature.’

‘You mean the animal remains alive!’ Miss Armstrong gasped. ‘I have need of my smelling salts.’

‘Mr Montemorcy has taken ownership of the dog,’ Henri said and watched Miss Armstrong flush further in indignation. ‘He is training it. The dog has entirely changed.’

‘But…but…dogs like that are not to be trusted,’ Miss Armstrong cried. ‘You must be mistaken, Lady Thorndike. Mr Montemorcy, please tell Lady Thorndike to stop her funning.’

‘Mr Montemorcy has worked miracles with the dog.’ Henri pushed back her chair and stood. She gave a perfunctory curtsy towards the assembled group. ‘We’ve become friends. I believe Boy was attempting to rescue me rather than trying to eat me.’

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