Page 56 of The Book of Lost Stories
‘I will certainly do so and I can see why you wish it, for your books seem to show a passion and experience of the world that you cannot possibly possess. It was what made me doubt your authorship in the first place, until I saw your face at the Misses Berrys’ salon, when you depressed young Coalport’s pretensions.’
‘So others have said, but I dare say I have merely picked up turns of phrase from other novels I have read, particularlythose of Mr Lewis. And perhaps people’s imaginations provide the passages that I do not write.’
‘If it became known that you were Orlando Browne, you would find yourself at the centre of a great deal of scandalized attention. But I think you should tell your grandfather the secret, for he asked me to ascertain, if I could, the source of your income. He knew your father could not have left you well provided for.’
‘I will think about it, although I cannot consider the matter anyone’s business but my own.’ She caught sight of her cousin Nat in the distance, astride a showy chestnut horse, in company with Bella, who rode a sedate grey hack, but they did not appear to have seen her for they carried on. Alys looked after them. ‘I do not like the way Nat jabs at his horse’s mouth. I have noticed he does so when driving, too.’
‘I have no great opinion of his horsemanship or the way he handles the reins,’ agreed his lordship. ‘I hope my skills in that line pass muster?’
‘You seem very competent,’ she assured him.
‘Thank you. I am sure the other members of the Four-Horse Club will be delighted to hear your opinion,’ he said gravely. ‘I dare say we could catch up with your cousins, if you wished to speak to them?’
‘No, I thank you. Bella is rather jealous of my grandfather’s taking an interest in me, which I suppose is only natural, since she has been such a pet of his these several years. And Nat …’
She paused, and he glanced at her enquiringly.
‘Although he is infinitely better to look at than my cousin James Basset, with whom I grew up, yet his conversation isjustas uninteresting. I suspect he only spends so much time in my company because Grandfather has told him to.’
Rayven burst out laughing, to her astonishment, his face both softened and transformed by amusement. ‘Miss Weston, I never know quite what outrageous thing you will say next! But would it not be sensible to promote a match between you? He is heir to the property and you could then be well provided for.’
‘ButIam not a piece of property to be disposed of, and even if I were in agreement with such a scheme, I am sure Nat’s taste in a wife would run to someone younger, richer, better born andmuchmore malleable.’
‘I am sure you are quite right, as usual, Miss Weston. And indeed, weallhope for those very qualities in our wives.’
Alys glared at him. ‘Then, since we seem to be in perfect accord, I would be very glad if you ceased interfering in my life and took me back home immediately.’
*
While Rayven did not tell Mr Titus Hartwood Alys’s secret, he did inform him that he knew what it was, and that he hoped to persuade her to tell him herself before long. ‘And I dare say you will find it amusing, rather than reprehensible, as I do.’
‘I will, will I?’ He directed his formidable stare at the younger man. ‘I take it, it will create a scandal?’
‘A little, perhaps … but nothing to what your nephew’s involvement with the Brethren will bring, if he does not cease to associate with them. There are rumours circulating of an inner circle that perform dark and unsavoury acts, even violence.’
‘I, too, have been warned of this recently by old friends, so what you say does not come as a complete surprise to me,’ Titus Hartwood said heavily. ‘Nat is too easily led, I admit, butnever vicious. If there is such an inner circle, then I am very sure he is not part of it.’
Lord Rayven said nothing, and after a moment Mr Hartwood added, ‘If I were not sure that his character was, though weak, basically good, then I would not for a moment contemplate his marrying Alys.’
Rayven, who had been standing with one arm resting on the mantelpiece, gazing into the fire, turned his head and said intently, ‘You have good reason to think, then, that such a match will take place?’
‘Why should it not, when it would be of such advantage to both of them? Nat will see the sense of it, and as to Alys – well, even if she does not, then she would have to be an unusual girl to resist my nephew’s courtship!’
*
The upshot of all this was that Titus immediately sent for his heir and took him severely to task.
‘I know you feel loyalty to your friends, Nat, but I believe it is misplaced and your good nature has led you astray. I cannot cut you out of inheriting the estate, but you will have precious little to live on if you do not reform your ways and sever those connections which will only do you harm.’
‘I do not know what you have heard, Uncle, but I assure you—’ blustered Nat Hartwood.
‘The only assurance I want from you is that you will do what I say. Let me tell you that I intend remaking my will so that, should you marry Alys, not only will I settle your debts but you will get two-thirds of my fortune after I am gone and my little Bella will have the rest.’
Nat said sullenly, ‘And if I donotmarry Alys? What then? She shows more preference for Lord Rayven’s company than mine!’
‘I do not think it, and in any case, I am sure you have sufficient address to win her, if you exert yourself. But if you donotreform your ways and win her hand, then she and Bella will each have half my fortune instead – tied up securely, of course, for women are not to be trusted with money.’
White-lipped, Nat walked up and down the room, struggling to conceal his rage. ‘Of course, I like my cousin very well and desire nothing more than to make her my wife,’ he said after a few moments, with a tolerable assumption of his usual manner. ‘And, if you wish it so much, I will cease to be a member of the Brethren, although I assure you it is perfectly harmless, whatever you have heard to the contrary.’
