Page 16 of Lady Audacious
‘You don’t have to explain yourself to me, miss, and I’ll know the reason why if anyone working at the house dares to question your behaviour.’
‘Thank you, Harris.’ Odile smiled to herself as Patrick trotted down the road that already seemed familiar to her. She threw back her head, covered by her cheap straw bonnet, and smiled up at the sky, feeling as though she had come home.
Chapter Five
Reuben found dinner that evening far from the relaxed affair he was accustomed to enjoying with his family. With Sarah at table, he no longer felt that he could be himself for fear of unintentionally encouraging expectations he’d had absolutely no idea that she was harbouring.
His mother chatted away in her habitual random fashion about any subject that happened to flit through her head. It was sometimes difficult to keep track when she went off on tangents, talking about people Reuben struggled to recall. His siblings appeared to be their usual argumentative selves. Reuben remained distracted and said little, wondering if the tense atmosphere was a product of his imagination.
He glanced at Sarah’s profile. She was seated at his left hand, a position that she often occupied, he belatedly realised, but one that he hadn’t read any significance into before now. Perhaps she had, and it had encouraged her expectations. She smiled at something Arthur had just said to her and the gesture lit up her features, highlighting her pretty face. The candlelight enhanced her creamy complexion, unmarred by a single freckle—a blemish that his sisters lived in fear of developing and looked upon as akin to having the plague.
Sarah was indeed a beauty. She was almost too perfect, but Reuben knew he didn’t want to marry her. No spark lit his bloodstream if he happened to find himself alone with her. They had no shared interests or friends in common. She struggled to hide her disdain for Chase, yet Reuben’s dogs were a major part of his life. Beneath that polished exterior, he sensed a coldness, a cunning she was at pains to disguise. Could it be that she was secretly a selfish and ambitious woman, or was Reuben seeing demons where none existed? Was he seeking excuses for not noticing her interest in him before now, thereby absolving himself from blame if he had inadvertently given her encouragement?
He sipped his wine, wondering if he was doing her a disservice. He had never seen any outward signs of calculation, and concluded that he could well be inventing flaws in order to justify his disinclination for marriage. In any event he would give her the benefit of the doubt, at least insofar as her character was concerned, but he would also ensure that he kept his distance in future. She would get the message soon enough, and if nothing was actually said about it then her blushes would be saved.
‘What do you think, Reuben?’ Emily asked, leaning forward from her place further down the table. ‘You have barely uttered a dozen words all the evening.’
‘What do I think about what, squirt?’
‘You see, he’s been dreaming about his latest conquest,’ Avril teased. ‘Either that or glory at the next set of races.’
‘Ah dogs.’ The countess turned up her nose. ‘I declare you think more about your wretched greyhounds than you do about your own family.’
‘Nothing could ever replace you in my affections,’ Reuben replied.Or them, he thought.
‘But the same cannot be said for the rest of us,’ Emily said cheerfully. ‘We all know that Chase occupies a special place in said affections.’
‘Well…’ Reuben grinned as he lifted his hands and waggled them from side to side in a considering manner.
‘You must take Sarah to the next meeting,’ his mother said, showing a rare glimpse of indiscretion. He glanced at Sarah and saw a brief flash of anger pass through her eyes. She had it under control so quickly that he wondered if he had imagined it.
‘I understood you to be afraid of Chase,’ Reuben said, dropping a hand to ruffle the ears of the dog who lay at his feet.
‘How can anyone be afraid of Chase?’ Emily asked, shaking her head. ‘He is the softest dog on God’s green earth.’
‘I have grown accustomed to his size,’ Sarah said, not meeting Reuben’s eye, ‘but have no desire to stand in a field watching dogs tearing about after…well, whatever it is that they tear after. It’s men’s sport and I would be a distraction.’
If that was intended to draw a compliment from Reuben, she was to be disappointed. Even so, he was surprised that she hadn’t backed his mother’s assertion up. Presumably she felt embarrassed by her clumsiness. He was glad about that because it would have been difficult to politely decline her company.
‘It is indeed a men’s game,’ he said, ‘and certainly not for the faint-hearted. But it’s also a way for the classes to mix on equal terms. It takes time and patience to train a dog, rather than wealth. They are taught to follow a scent that’s been laid down beforehand but are encouraged not to go after the local wildlife. Indeed, we’ve noticed that they get so excited in one another’s company that they become competitive, naturally wanting to beat one another.’
‘That is why I intend to come to the next meeting,’ Emily said, grinning. ‘I love to see the dogs run simply for the pleasure of it, rather than with the intention of tearing a harmless rabbit to bits.’
‘It is by no means certain that any of my dogs will win, not now that Chase is retired,’ Reuben said. ‘But we have high hopes.’
‘Perhaps it would be more diplomatic if yours lost every once in a while,’ Avril suggested. ‘Let the others have the moment to shine.’
‘Good heavens,’ Reuben said, grinning as he lifted both brows. ‘There is such a thing as beingtoosporting. The local farmers wouldn’t take it well if they thought I was patronising them.’
The conversation turned to other matters and Reuben retreated into himself once more.
‘Well, I think Sarah has been very considerate.’ His mother’s voice drew Reuben from his revery and he realised he had no idea what turn the conversation had taken. It was clear though that they were no longer talking about the sport of farmers.
‘Consideration has nothing to do with the matter. You offered to sponsor my come-out in Mama’s stead, ma’am, but really, I couldn’t bring myself to accept your gracious offer. It wouldn’t seem right, not when Mama is so unwell.’
‘You see,’ the countess beamed. ‘She is so very thoughtful.’
If she was that considerate, Reuben refrained from pointing out, she would be with her mother now, nursing her through her illness, instead of whiling away weeks at a time beneath Reuben’s roof.
