Elisabeth Fairchild by Lord Ramsay's Return (or)

Author:Lord Ramsay's Return (or) [Return, Lord Ramsay's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

At the heart of Brighton lay the Steine, a flat, treeless, grassy triangle skirted by the Grand and Marine Parades. Once used for drying fishing nets and storing boats in bad weather, the Prince and the Duke of Marlborough had built their homes almost on top of the space. It was thereafter drained and small, wooden fences were erected to keep the fishermen and their nets away. Fashionable businesses had sprung up along its perimeter.

When the weather was amenable, as it was on this day, most of Brighton gathered in the Steine of an evening, for the promenade. Anybody who was anybody gathered to take the air and exchange the latest gossip and pleasantries. The Steine, above all else, gave Brighton a sense of community, even deluged as it was by wave after wave of ailing strangers.

As the shadows lengthened and the light of the sinking sun turned golden, Prudence, Tim and Mrs. Moore made their way to the Steine from one direction, Charles, Grace and Rupert from another. Across the Steine, they spotted one another. Bonnets nodded, hats were tipped, fans fluttered.

“I would prefer we did not make a point of conversing with the Ramsays,” Tim said in the most reasonable of tones. “It is too hot to pretend to be civil.”

Prudence replied, just as reasonably. “I will not make a point of avoiding them.”

On the far side of the Steine, Rupert murmured in his brother’s ear, “I daresay you’ll not get much more than a nod out of Miss Stanhope this evening, unless kismet deigns otherwise. Her cousin clings to her arm.”

“Like a vine,” Charles agreed.

“This vine has a possessive way with our Prudence,” Grace observed.

Charles nodded. “I cannot help thinking an excess of vine may be the reason Miss Stanhope seeks a new position.”

Grace chuckled. “You are an observant fellow, Charles. I like that in a man. You and my brother would get along splendidly.”

“Do you think so?” He stiffened at the suggestion. “If there is anyone in the world right now with whom I doubt I would get along splendidly, it has to be your brother, Miles.”

Grace squeezed his arm. “I know that circumstances are not conducive to a friendship between the two of you, but I am determined you shall meet. The rest will be up to you. I have every hope that you will become quite comfortable in one another’s company.”

His brows arched skeptically.

“Yes,” she insisted. “It makes great sense that you should establish some sort of connection, if only to make your dear sisters happy.”

“For that very reason, I shall make a point to be civil, Grace, should your brother and I ever cross paths.”

“I expect much more than mere civility, my lord, and as to your paths crossing, be assured they shall. Has Aurora not yet written about the upcoming races?”

“Am I to surmise that you have invited my sister and her husband to join us so that I am forced to meet your brother?”

She chuckled richly. “But of course.”

Charles looked keenly at Rupert, eyebrows raised.

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