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bacon-brained notions young ladies get in their heads if they are carelessly chaperoned and their thoughts not given a proper direction.’
    Caroline swung around. ‘How dare you! Miss Taylor is with my brother and it is not only his sense of honour and the esteem he bears her which prevents their behaving scandalously – she herself knows perfectly well what is owed to her father and his position in society!’
    He looked startled. ‘What the devil has Miss Taylor to do with anything? I have never even met her. I was referring to you . It is perfectly obvious from your countenance that you either have a clandestine appointment and your companion has missed it, or he kept it and you quarrelled.’
    Caroline could hardly speak she was so incensed. ‘Lord Rothwell, you overstep the mark indeed! Even if what you suppose were true – which it isn’t and I take considerable umbrage at you even thinking it might be – you barely know me! Do you commonly walk around prosperous market towns dealing outscolds to chance-met acquaintances? I should not be surprised at anything your sister does if you are the arbiter of her conduct!’
    ‘If I had been I should not be here now,’ he fired back cryptically. He seemed to recollect himself. ‘No young lady should be sitting on a public bench alone.’
    ‘I have told you, I am not alone. Also this is Bury St Edmunds, not a fashionable London trysting place. I assure you that even if some disreputable character was so misinformed as to think it worth his while making me the object of his gallantry, I am perfectly capable of administering a set-down!’
    ‘Now I know you are too young to be out alone. How the devil do you imagine that an untaught female could— Good God!’
    This last was said in so altered a tone that Caroline followed his gaze. Fierce satisfaction swept through her at the sight of Harry and Louisa emerging in perfect propriety through the Abbey Gate. ‘An apology would seem to be in order, don’t you think?’ she said icily.
    But Lord Rothwell was feeling for his quizzing glass. ‘What a diamond,’ he murmured.
    Caroline swallowed down her chagrin. She was familiar with gentlemen being struck dumb by Louisa’s fair beauty and cheerful countenance. She did not know why the surrender of Lord Rothwell’s senses should be so particularly bitter.
    Harry widened his eyes at the sight of her companion and looked a query at her. She shrugged to make it plain that his being here was none of her doing.
    ‘Lord Rothwell,’ said Harry. ‘How pleasant to see you. Miss Taylor, may I present Lord Alexander Rothwell. He is the owner of the spirited grey mare I was telling you about.’
    Louisa flashed a delighted smile and held out her hand. ‘I am sure you will not be disappointed, my lord. Penfold Lodge is a most superior stable.’
    Lord Rothwell raised Louisa’s hand to his lips. ‘Amazingly so, considering its manager is so often elsewhere. On this occasion, however, one can see why.’
    Caroline was used to the difference that a pretty face made to a gentleman’s conduct, but Lord Rothwell’s instantaneous transformation into a man of manners grated even so. ‘Your own estate is profitable, I suppose?’ she asked pointedly.
    A glint appeared in his eyes. ‘Happily yes, but I have a bailiff to look after it in my absence.’
    ‘And Harry has an experienced head groom. It has been charming to meet you again, my lord. Such a shame we must be on our way. Goodbye.’
    But Louisa gave a sharply indrawn breath and with a start of alarm Caroline saw the rotund figure of Alderman Taylor rounding the bend of Angel Hill. In a flash she had taken her friend’s arm and swung her so that they were facing the two men. ‘We are meeting everybody today, are we not?’ she cried aloud. ‘Good day, Alderman, you are looking very well. May I introduce you to Lord Alexander Rothwell whose horse Harry has just taken on for training. Lord Rothwell, Alderman Taylor is well