From Governess to Society Bride. Helen Dickson

to my knowledge. Oh, he is no more immune to a pretty face than the next man, but since his divorce he has conducted his affairs with absolute discretion. There are those who know him well, like my own William, who say he inspires esteem and respect because he represents a rare specimen of a nobleman par excellence. On the other hand, there are those who accuse him of being a brute and intolerant of others, and with his droll replies in conversation and stunned expressions, he makes people feel that they are utterly stupid.’

      ‘Perhaps that’s because they are,’ Eve murmured with a half-smile. ‘As you have just said, Beth, perhaps if they knew him well they would perceive that he is much nicer than he appears.’

      Beth looked at her curiously. ‘Eve, what is this? You aren’t enamoured of him after just three encounters, surely?’

      ‘No,’ Eve replied, laughing at the very idea. ‘Quite the opposite, in fact. My encounters with Lord Stainton were anything but friendly—in fact, I found the man quite insufferable—but I have seen some of the qualities you speak of and I’m willing to take a chance on him—as he might with me.’