Charlotte laughed. ‘I must thank you both for including me in your invitation to Chadcombe—even if I may be seen as a bluestocking. I am looking forward to it. It is in Surrey, I believe?
‘Yes,’ said the Earl, ‘between Godalming and Guildford. There have been Fantons there for nearly four hundred years.’
‘Godalming—I stayed at a posting inn there on my way to London. I thought it a most pretty town. They are building a new town hall with a pepperpot roof.’
‘That’s it. It replaces the old market house, which has stood there since the Middle Ages.’
‘And is your house—er—medieval?’
The Earl’s eyes narrowed. ‘Now, Miss Wyncroft, I think you are trying to fence with me. Are you asking me the age of the house, or whether it is ancient, decrepit and devoid of modern conveniences?’
She laughed lightly. ‘Is it not the same thing?’
‘No, it is not—and you know it! To answer both your questions...the original medieval house is now used for stabling. My grandfather built the present house—and nearly went bankrupt doing so. It was his obsession.’ His eyes fired a challenge to hers. ‘It has modern water closets and a new closed oven.’
‘I shall simply die from excitement! A closed oven! Why, I have never seen such a thing!’
The Captain, observing their repartee with some amazement, said, ‘Miss Wyncroft, if I had known you were so interested in domestic devices I should have invited you to tour an oven-maker’s or some such thing.’
‘Oh, please don’t. I much prefer this ride in Green Park. Tell me, Captain, do you spend much time at Chadcombe?’
‘I am there when I can be. These few years, since our mother died and our father became ill, have been difficult. I have been away with my regiment for most of the past two years. Much of the burden has rested on Adam’s shoulders.’
His brother nodded, acknowledging the truth of the Captain’s words. ‘My father worked hard to restore our fortunes, and the stability of the estate, but was ill for the last years of his life and unable to give the necessary attention to the estate. My task is to make sure the place can thrive once again. There are many families—not just ours—who rely on it.’
‘I just wish you could relax and enjoy life once in a while, Adam.’
‘I am content, Harry. I do not need to.’
‘Agreed. But you might enjoy it.’
Charlotte felt a twinge of unexpected sympathy. Lord Shalford had put duty first. This she understood. Even if the man was horribly proud and judgemental. And arrogant.
The Captain turned to Charlotte again. ‘Miss Wyncroft, tell me—when you were with the Army, did you perhaps meet my friend Captain Jack Harris? We served with the Thirtieth, in the Peninsula.’
‘You mean Parson Jack?’
‘Lord, that soubriquet followed him everywhere! Such a prosy fellow, but with a good heart.’
‘In the Peninsula he was always in the company of Captain Burnett.’
‘Yes. We three were best friends at school. Did you also meet Major Cooke?’
‘I did—many times. He is a particular friend of my father.’
She and Captain Fanton continued to converse easily as they progressed to Green Park, while Lord Shalford remained silent, watching them.
The Captain was keen to establish who Charlotte knew of his military friends, and to share impressions of places they had both visited. Charlotte laughingly fended off his questions, enjoying his relaxed manner and humorous tales. He reminded her so much of the young soldiers she had known in Vienna—they had been like younger brothers to her.
‘I remember one time, near Ciudad Rodrigo, when some of my men dressed a pig in full regimentals. Lord, such a to-do! But many are gone now.’ He fell momentarily silent.
‘Were you at Badajoz, then?’ she asked softly, remembering the difficult time during and after the siege.
‘Yes, we were all there. It didn’t end well.’ A shadow crossed his face. ‘But let us not dwell on it. Today the sun shines and we are out for a ride. Where can we let the horses have their heads?’
‘Well, this is the spot where I usually enjoy a canter—from here to the end of this meadow.’
‘Then let’s ride!’
The Captain spurred his horse and they all set off.
Cantering easily, the Captain moved slightly ahead. About halfway across the meadow he eased back, allowing Charlotte and the Earl to catch up. Joseph followed at an easier pace. The brothers were both good horsemen, and Charlotte was enjoying the thrill of the ride in their company. Charlotte and the Captain were now neck-and-neck, while the Earl eased back slightly. Somehow, Charlotte reached the end of the meadow first.
‘You let me win!’ she accused the Captain, as Lord Shalford reached them, two lengths behind. Joseph, on his Buxted hack, was last to catch up.
‘I? No!’ The Captain laughed.
‘I wish you hadn’t. I do like to win, but only when I play fair.’ She turned to the Earl, tilting her head to one side. ‘Don’t you think it’s terrible when someone lets you win?’
‘It depends,’ he said, giving her question serious consideration. ‘For example, just now I let both of you win.’
His eyes were definitely smiling. Charlotte noticed they crinkled up at the sides in a most interesting manner. She frowned—she didn’t want to find anything likeable about the Arrogant Earl.
‘Adam, you wretch,’ said the Captain. ‘You just won’t admit you couldn’t catch me.’
The men continued with their light-hearted banter as they all picked their way back through the grasses, evoking childhood contests lost and won, and Charlotte felt amused—and a little envious—as she listened.
‘How I should have loved to have a brother or sister, to tease and be teased like this!’ she said as they paused in their recollections. ‘Do you have any other brothers and sisters?’
‘We have a sister—Olivia,’ said Lord Shalford. ‘She is seventeen, and not yet out. She lives quietly at Chadcombe. That is one of the reasons why I have invited you all to stay. I believe she needs the company of women.’
‘My papa said the same to me, when we talked about my visit to London. I have no sisters, although my school friend Juliana is almost like a sister to me.’
‘Olivia has friends too, but I think—I hope—she will enjoy the company of other ladies. Ladies younger than my great-aunt, who is a most admirable lady, but...’ He hesitated.
‘She is not the best companion for a seventeen-year-old girl,’ finished the Captain.
Charlotte reminded herself of the other reasons the Earl had for inviting the Buxted family. This would be a test—to assess Henrietta as a possible bride. Her substantial dowry—and Monkton Park—would surely assist his restoration of the family’s estates.
The Earl clearly felt a strong sense of duty to his heritage. Marrying well was a logical step. Henrietta was the right age, of good family, and had a handsome dowry. It was a sensible match, Charlotte thought wistfully. An exceptionally sensible match.
* * *
Arriving back at the house after their ride, Charlotte was rather alarmed to find Henrietta waiting for her. Her cousin’s expression was grim.
‘A word with you, if you please!’ she said, turning on her heel and making for the drawing room.
Charlotte followed her up the wide staircase, feeling like a naughty child.