A Danby Duet by Aileen Fish

Author:Aileen Fish [Fish, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 22851214
Publisher: Aileen FIsh
Published: 2013-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

For the next two days, Northcotte managed to avoid running into Lady Miriam except at dinner when they all ate together. He had an uneasy feeling about her presence at Hambleton Cottage, or to be more specific, the way her visit coincided with his. This was the first time he had stayed with Stephen and his wife, so he couldn’t confirm his suspicions, but he was reasonably certain there was a matchmaking scheme afoot.

Little did Joanna and Jane know, but Northcotte considered himself permanently off the marriage mart. He would be polite to the innocent victim they’d chosen for him, but wouldn’t do anything to indicate any attachment forming. If necessary, he could always claim he’d received a message from London calling him back. A few coins to the butler should ensure his cooperation.

Northcotte’s luck didn’t last. David’s sisters, Lady Patience and Lady Madeleine, arrived early one afternoon when everyone was relaxing in the drawing room. The girls were on the verge of womanhood in years, but clearly clinging to the pastimes of their youth.

“We came to ride in the sleigh,” announced Lady Patience, a petite beauty with pale curls down her back.

“Before the snow melts,” her twin, slightly taller with slightly darker curls, finished.

“Mama said we may stay the night, if you will permit it.” Lady Patience crossed to the fireplace and held out her hands to the warmth. “I hope you’ll allow it. We want to play with Annie and William.”

David shook his head. “I cannot believe Mother let you come that far with just your maid as a chaperone.”

Lady Madeleine ducked her head. “It took us barely three hours. What could have happened to us in that time?”

“We are grown now, David. Mama lets us shop in the village and pay calls to our friends, too.” Lady Patience was clearly the less docile of the two.

Jane signaled to her husband. “Stephen, order the sleigh to be brought around. I can’t go for a ride, of course, but that doesn’t mean you all must stay inside.”

“Northcotte, why don’t you take Lady Miriam for the first jaunt?” Joanna didn’t wait for an answer. “I’ll have her cloak and gloves brought down.”

Lady Miriam had her head turned towards Joanna, so Northcotte had no clue how she felt about the suggestion, but she didn’t beg off. Which meant he couldn’t, either. A footman brought down their outer garments, and once they’d bundled up, they stepped out into the brisk sunshine.

Northcotte handed Lady Miriam into the sleigh and as she tucked the lap robes around herself, he positioned the heated brick near her feet. The sleigh was small, the bench narrow. They sat so close he was grateful for the layers of their cloaks to keep the warmth of her nearness from assaulting him. As it was, her sweet rose fragrance stirred a hunger he could neither explain nor appease. A brisk breeze should take care of that, however. With the groom perched on the precarious seat behind them, Northcotte took the reins and the horse stepped out.

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