Harriet stopped and sank back on to the sofa.
‘There is no need to explain, Mrs Forster,’ said Julia gaily. ‘Now, how shall we go on, Hal?’
Lord Bramwell gave instructions to Julia, who listened closely and then spoke to Silwood. That gentleman, more than happy to be dispatched to the kitchen where order still reigned, left the room, followed by the footmen and chambermaid, who had been advised by Lord Bramwell that their assistance was not required and they could return later to retrieve the broken china.
Dominic, who was impressed with these visitors’ willingness to help, moved to stand beside his lordship. Pulling at Lord Bramwell’s sleeve, he said in an urgent whisper, ‘Please, let me help too, sir. This is my fault and I hate to upset Mama.’
Hal smiled down at the small boy beside him. ‘Now that is honest of you, Dominic, and I have great respect for an honest gentleman. I shall certainly need your assistance when your butler returns.’
Isabella, watching and listening, was torn between fascination at Dominic’s instant acceptance of Lord Bramwell and annoyance at herself. Lord Bramwell had already stripped off his coat, and his broad shoulders and well-muscled torso were now visible through his fine linen shirt. He had also rolled up his sleeves to reveal strong forearms dusted with soft dark hair.
Irritated for even having noticed his excellent physique, she said sharply, ‘Lord Bramwell, Dominic has inconvenienced you both by involving you in this imbroglio. I could have managed perfectly well.’ Annoyance and resentment quivered in Isabella’s voice – she was capable of dealing with her family’s affairs.
‘But my motives were mainly selfish, Lady Vane: I have not enjoyed myself this much for a very long time,’ replied Hal, with an enigmatic grin.
Isabella was astonished at the way her heart reacted to his smile and, unsure how to respond, she blushed and moved away. She returned to the sofa where Julia was busy soothing Harriet’s agitation, just as Silwood came back bearing two small dishes.
One contained a portion of the poached turbot that cook had been preparing for lunch and which had only been relinquished after a reassurance that it was at the request of the Earl of Bramwell himself. The other held a selection of chopped fruit.
Lord Bramwell, after selecting the latter, offered it to Dominic and said, ‘Stand near the cage with this tempting morsel.’
Dominic did as he was bid while Lord Bramwell went to the fireplace and held up the dish of turbot, allowing its aroma to reach the kitten. Unable to resist, Joshua surrendered meekly, allowing his lordship to lift him down and place him on the floor where he began to eat the fish.
Jemima, sensing the danger had now passed, wasted no time in flying down from her refuge and, after a final defiant chorus of ‘bacon-brained gudgeon’, she re-entered her cage to peck at the fruit Dominic had now placed there.
‘Oh, thank you!’ cried Dominic, surveying this outcome with smiling relief. ‘It was clever of you to know how to deal with Jemima and Joshua – usually only Mama can do that.’
Hal, who had restored the clock to a safer position and was now replacing his coat with the aid of Silwood, glanced down at him. ‘Happy to be of assistance, Master Vane, but I do not think Lady Bingham would be pleased to see her parlour put to such er – unusual use.’ His conspiratorial wink and grin robbed the words of any offence.
‘Well, I shan’t do so again, for I never wish to cause Mama any worry,’ said Dominic.
‘An admirable sentiment,’ murmured his lordship, gazing intently at Isabella.
On overhearing this comment, confusion, irritation and a welter of other feelings welled up in Isabella’s breast. Never before had she been subjected to such a tumult of emotions as she had during one morning in this man’s company. She felt exhausted and could offer no other explanation for the sudden tears that sprang
‘There is no need to explain, Mrs Forster,’ said Julia gaily. ‘Now, how shall we go on, Hal?’
Lord Bramwell gave instructions to Julia, who listened closely and then spoke to Silwood. That gentleman, more than happy to be dispatched to the kitchen where order still reigned, left the room, followed by the footmen and chambermaid, who had been advised by Lord Bramwell that their assistance was not required and they could return later to retrieve the broken china.
Dominic, who was impressed with these visitors’ willingness to help, moved to stand beside his lordship. Pulling at Lord Bramwell’s sleeve, he said in an urgent whisper, ‘Please, let me help too, sir. This is my fault and I hate to upset Mama.’
Hal smiled down at the small boy beside him. ‘Now that is honest of you, Dominic, and I have great respect for an honest gentleman. I shall certainly need your assistance when your butler returns.’
Isabella, watching and listening, was torn between fascination at Dominic’s instant acceptance of Lord Bramwell and annoyance at herself. Lord Bramwell had already stripped off his coat, and his broad shoulders and well-muscled torso were now visible through his fine linen shirt. He had also rolled up his sleeves to reveal strong forearms dusted with soft dark hair.
Irritated for even having noticed his excellent physique, she said sharply, ‘Lord Bramwell, Dominic has inconvenienced you both by involving you in this imbroglio. I could have managed perfectly well.’ Annoyance and resentment quivered in Isabella’s voice – she was capable of dealing with her family’s affairs.
‘But my motives were mainly selfish, Lady Vane: I have not enjoyed myself this much for a very long time,’ replied Hal, with an enigmatic grin.
Isabella was astonished at the way her heart reacted to his smile and, unsure how to respond, she blushed and moved away. She returned to the sofa where Julia was busy soothing Harriet’s agitation, just as Silwood came back bearing two small dishes.
One contained a portion of the poached turbot that cook had been preparing for lunch and which had only been relinquished after a reassurance that it was at the request of the Earl of Bramwell himself. The other held a selection of chopped fruit.
Lord Bramwell, after selecting the latter, offered it to Dominic and said, ‘Stand near the cage with this tempting morsel.’
Dominic did as he was bid while Lord Bramwell went to the fireplace and held up the dish of turbot, allowing its aroma to reach the kitten. Unable to resist, Joshua surrendered meekly, allowing his lordship to lift him down and place him on the floor where he began to eat the fish.
Jemima, sensing the danger had now passed, wasted no time in flying down from her refuge and, after a final defiant chorus of ‘bacon-brained gudgeon’, she re-entered her cage to peck at the fruit Dominic had now placed there.
‘Oh, thank you!’ cried Dominic, surveying this outcome with smiling relief. ‘It was clever of you to know how to deal with Jemima and Joshua – usually only Mama can do that.’
Hal, who had restored the clock to a safer position and was now replacing his coat with the aid of Silwood, glanced down at him. ‘Happy to be of assistance, Master Vane, but I do not think Lady Bingham would be pleased to see her parlour put to such er – unusual use.’ His conspiratorial wink and grin robbed the words of any offence.
‘Well, I shan’t do so again, for I never wish to cause Mama any worry,’ said Dominic.
‘An admirable sentiment,’ murmured his lordship, gazing intently at Isabella.
On overhearing this comment, confusion, irritation and a welter of other feelings welled up in Isabella’s breast. Never before had she been subjected to such a tumult of emotions as she had during one morning in this man’s company. She felt exhausted and could offer no other explanation for the sudden tears that sprang
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