‘Ely, Eastmere, what’s the difference?’ he said enigmatically. It would not help the situation if she felt she ought to be grateful to him. Gratitude was not what he wanted. ‘The whole countryside is in ferment.’
‘You don’t think the Comtesse is right, do you? About revolution, I mean.’
‘No, I do not. But as soon as I have seen you safely home, I will go and see James. I might be able to help.’
‘I am not going home.’
‘No? Where were you going?’
‘I was on my way to Downham Market to find Miss Battersby.’
‘Old Batters? Why?’
‘I need her advice.’
‘Oh, I see.’ He knew what she meant and questioned whether the elderly servant would offer wise counsel, but he did not say so. He grinned impishly. ‘Riding into a riot and being knocked senseless was preferable to choosing a husband, is that it?’
‘It is no laughing matter.’
‘The riot or choosing a husband?’
‘Both.’ Bella paused, wishing she did not feel so dizzy. ‘I don’t know what to do about it. Grandfather is not at all well, and if I defy him he might have a seizure. I am very fond of him…’
‘Of course you are, my dear, but he has been excessively unkind to you. While other young ladies of your age are being taken to Town for a Season, going to balls and soirées and picnics, you are stuck in the country with an old skinflint who thinks more of preserving his lands and estate than the sensibilities of his granddaughter.’
‘He is not a skinflint,’ she said, staunchly defending the Earl. ‘It is just that he is getting old and plagued by gout, which makes him crotchety. And he is worried about what will become of me when…’ She could not bring herself to end the sentence.
‘Loyal as always, my dear. I would not blame you if you damned the lot of us.’
‘It is not your fault.’
‘No, nor Edward’s either. Fond of old Teddy, aren’t you?’
She looked up at him, startled by his tone. ‘Yes, of course, but I am fond of you, too…’
‘Nice of you to say so,’ Robert said laconically as the sounds of rioting faded. It was now uncannily quiet and he assumed the men had moved on. Soon it would be safe to leave and he would have to take Bella home. It would be the end of their delightful tête-à-tête. ‘But I am persuaded there is a difference. He is the rightful heir and I do believe his lordship is being perverse just to amuse himself.’
‘I do not find it amusing.’
‘No, of course you don’t. But stands to reason that he expects you to choose Edward. There is no alternative.’
‘Edward is engaged.’
‘No, he has not yet offered.’
‘You do not mean he would repudiate it? Oh, Robert, I cannot believe that of him—he is an honourable man.’
‘A title and great wealth are powerful arguments. I am glad I do not have to make the choice.’
She said nothing for a minute while she thought about what he had said, which only served to convince him he had been right—it was only Edward’s previous attachment which was holding her back. ‘You should think of yourself sometimes, you know,’ he went on. ‘Why don’t you ask his lordship to give you a Season in Town, see you launched properly? You might meet someone else more to your liking. Someone eligible.’
‘Oh, that would be wonderful. But how could I go? There is no one to bring me out.’
‘Mama would do it,’ he said. ‘She is taking a house in Town for the Season.’
‘Grandfather would not let me go. He will not let me go anywhere until I have said which one of you I will marry.’
‘Then we are at a stand.’
Her head was clearing rapidly and she was suddenly possessed of an idea which was so audacious and yet so simple that she wondered why she had not thought of it before. ‘There is something you could do for me,’ she said slowly.
‘Anything, my dear Bella. Anything in my power.’
‘If Grandfather could be convinced I had made my choice, he would drop the subject.’
‘Naturally he would.’
‘Then, please, offer for me.’
‘Me?’ He could not believe his ears.
‘Oh, do not look so shocked. I do not mean it to be a real engagement, but if we could only pretend…’
He was puzzled and intrigued, too. ‘And what purpose would that serve?’
‘What I need is time and it would give me that and…and a little freedom to be myself for a few weeks. If we told his lordship we had come to an understanding, he would agree to let me pay a visit to your mama, wouldn’t he? If Cousin Henrietta would be so kind as to invite me. I truly cannot think properly while I am at Westmere. Being away might help.’
‘Bella, I do believe that knock on your head has addled your brains. Have you thought about how you will bring it to an end, even if I should agree? I’m not the sort to make and break engagements, you know. It’s just not the done thing. The whole ton will cut me dead as soon as it is known. I will not be received in any respectable hostess’s drawing room. And Lord Westmere will be furious, not to mention Edward.’
‘Why should he mind?’
‘Bella, think about it. He knows he should be the heir and we both agreed we would not play his lordship’s game.’
‘Please, Robert. We do not need to make a public announcement of our engagement, then your pride will not be hurt when it comes to an end.’
‘Then what is the point of it?’
‘To satisfy Grandfather.’
‘To gull him, you mean.’
‘There is no one else I can ask. James would certainly not take me to London. He wants a housekeeper and mother for his girls, nothing more. And if I went to London on the arm of Louis…’
‘Yes, I see your point,’ he said, smiling a little. ‘Be taken for one of his ladybirds, I shouldn’t wonder. Not the thing, not the thing at all.’
‘Then you will do it?’
‘Bella you are a dear girl but…’ He paused. The temptation to gamble with his own happiness was there, but he could not take it. He was sure the Earl meant Bella to marry Edward and that was only right and proper. Edward could give her so much more than he could and ensure that she remained at her beloved Westmere. It was simply the Earl’s way of bringing the two together. He would not consider Miss Mellish an obstacle. ‘Do you think you can ride now?’
She felt immeasurably saddened. For one brief moment she thought she had seen a way out, but he was right—it was a hare-brained scheme. ‘Yes, I think so.’
‘I will go and see if that boy has brought our horses.’ He took his arm from about her shoulders and left her to her muddled thoughts. And they were muddled. How could she have made such an outrageous suggestion? It had put Robert in an invidious position, and after he had been so kind to her, too. He was right, of course, it would not answer. But why could she not let it go? Why did she long to get away, to have a little enjoyment?
She stood up and wandered round the room. At the window she stopped and looked out. The street was quiet; there was no one in sight except Robert and the boy, who was leading Misty and the black stallion towards the inn. Robert was lucky it had not been stolen, she thought as she watched him give the boy a coin