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nodding and obviously replying, reaching up to pat his shoulder as she spoke.
    As Ravina watched, the tall dark man put his hand under the old lady’s arm and assisted her across the hall towards the long corridor that ran towards the baize door leading to the servants’ quarters.
    As they passed under the stairway, she could hear Sir Richard laughing and the throaty cackle of Nanny’s reply.
    Ravina picked up her skirts and swiftly ran down the stairs. What could her nanny have to say to Sir Richard?
    That was the first time Ravina had heard him laugh.
    It made her feel odd to see his stern face soften into such a pleasant expression.
    She caught up with Nanny just as she was sitting herself down at the kitchen table, ready for her breakfast.
    Ravina knelt at her side.
    â€œNanny, dear, how are you this morning?”
    The old lady’s sharp dark eyes gleamed.
    â€œGet up off the floor at once, Lady Ravina. You’ll make that dress dirty and I certainly did not bring you up to behave in such a rumbustious fashion.”
    Ravina stood up and waved away the hovering figure of Mrs. Diver.
    â€œI see you have met our house guest, Nanny. I saw you talking to Sir Richard in the hall. I hope he did not have any complaints about his room.”
    â€œNo, he said he slept well. He seems a very nice gentleman. Looking for a house in Dorset, he told me. To breed horses.”
    â€œYes, so I believe.”
    Nanny Johnson sipped her tea with a noisy slurp.
    â€œI heard last night that Stanton Grange is to be sold.Old Lord Stanton died last month and his heir lives in the Highlands of Scotland and does not need a house in the South.”
    â€œStanton Grange! Goodness, Nanny. It is a horrid house. You can smell damp in the bedrooms, the kitchens have very little windows and the stabling is dreadful. Did you tell Sir Richard that it was available?”
    Nanny Johnson pulled a large bowl of porridge towards her and poured a generous helping of honey over it.
    â€œWell, I don’t rightly remember. Dear, dear, my memory isn’t as good as it used to be. Perhaps you had best tell him yourself, seeing as how you seem to be concerned about the type of house he purchases.”
    She took a large spoonful of oats and mumbled her enjoyment at the taste and Ravina knew their conversation was over.
    She was drinking her hot chocolate when Sir Richard entered the breakfast room.
    He bowed and took a seat opposite her, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the silver jug on the table, waving away the parlour maid’s offer of help.
    â€œGood morning, Lady Ravina. I hope that I find you well rested?”
    â€œGood morning, Sir Richard. Yes, indeed and I trust I find you the same and that your room and bed were to your satisfaction.”
    â€œIndeed, I fell asleep immediately.”
    Ravina started.
    She was so tempted to say,
    â€˜Sir, you are a liar! I saw you outside in the grounds with my own eyes.’
    But she knew, of course, that she could say nothing of the sort. Sir Richard was a guest in her parents’ house and as such had to be treated with courtesy and respect.
    â€œIf you find your mount is not fully recovered, please feel free to take one of my father’s horses.”
    Sir Richard raised a dark eyebrow at her.
    â€œThank you. That is a kind offer indeed. I am keen to investigate various options for buying an estate locally and without a horse, the road might be a long one.”
    He smiled suddenly and Ravina almost gasped at the difference it made to his severe face.
    â€œThat extremely entertaining old lady, your nanny, told me about an estate quite nearby that is now for sale. Do you know it, Lady Ravina?”
    â€œStanton Grange. Yes, I do.”
    She hesitated, toying with her fork. Should she tell him of its drawbacks or would it sound as if she was far too interested in his affairs?
    â€œIt is worth an inspection, of course, but I am sure there are lots of places