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pistol still.’ Robert
sighed and gave her a wicked smile, his lips curving
upwards with a glint in his eyes. ‘I might like to fight
duels over a woman’s honour, Lady Verity, but I’m not a
murderer and that particular duel was not me.’
‘Do you have an alibi?’ she asked cheekily.
‘As a matter of fact I do. Johnny and the Prince,
we were riding at Richmond that morning.’
‘Lady Elizabeth is a good shot, you know. We
ought to have a contest next time we’re all in the
country!’ Lady Verity said brightly.
‘I would find that quite enervating.’ Robert
murmured and turned his head to look again at the
beauty by the window.
‘Really Lady Verity, you know full well that the
long rifle is a little too heavy for me.’
‘A rifle?’ Robert asked in surprise. ‘You have one
of the new Baker rifles?’
‘I do, Your Grace.’ Lady Elizabeth turned her
head and looked calmly at him, with her green eyes
almost like peridot in the sunshine that bathed her in a
golden wash. ‘It was a gift from my second cousin, Sir
Arthur Wellesley.’
‘I didn’t know you were related to Sir Arthur?’
Lady Verity said as she frowned.
‘Only by marriage.’ Lady Elizabeth said coldly,
and Robert saw a shadow flit across her face. ‘But Sir
Arthur was kind enough to teach me how to use one
last summer on his return from the Peninsula.’
‘I assume when Wellesley came home; it was to
grovel for more troops?’ Robert said as he placed his
cup back on the tray.
‘Yes. Horse Guards are being a little difficult with
the campaign in Portugal.’ Lady Elizabeth sighed deeply
and looked out of the window. ‘I don’t suppose the
Portuguese are helping their cause either. According to
Henry it gets more difficult every week.’ She said sadly
and returned her attention to her needlework.
‘I had no idea you were an authority on the
Peninsula War, my dear?’ Lady Verity said with asperity.
‘I’m not an authority, Lady Verity, but I do tend
to listen a lot in public places.’ She smiled benevolently.
‘Some men are stupid enough to talk in front of a
woman, they think she can’t understand them and her
head is full of wool!’
There was a sharp rap on the door and a
footman came in. ‘There is a gentleman to see Lady
Elizabeth, Your Grace.’ He said in a measured voice.
Elizabeth was already shaking her head.
‘No. I won’t see him.’ She said tremulously.
‘Who is it, Rogers?’ Lady Verity enquired.
‘The card says, Alexander Audley, Earl of
Craanford, Your Grace.’
Robert looked again at Elizabeth and he couldn’t
believe the ashen hue to her face. ‘I can’t see him.’ She
whispered. ‘Not on my own.’
‘Allow me to accompany you.’ Robert said as he
stood, which brought a smile to Lady Verity’s face. ‘If
you are so afraid of him, then I shall be there to protect
you.’
‘Good.’ Lady Verity said and looked at the
footman. ‘Show the blackguard into the study. This
matter needs sorting today, so Robert will be there to
assist you.’ Lady Verity looked at him harshly. ‘Do not
leave her alone with him for a second!’ Robert frowned
at her, but nodded his consent. He followed Lady
Elizabeth to the door and admired her bearing. She was
wearing a light green muslin morning gown, with a high
lace collar and long straight sleeves. The hem was far
enough off the floor to expose a good two inches of a
very pretty petticoat and he was amazed to see her
walk as if she was on wheels. As they stepped out into
the hallway, she stumbled sideways and almost collided
with the wall. Robert instinctively put a hand on her
elbow to support her and she yanked her arm out of his
hand, turned abruptly to face him and almost shouted
‘Don’t touch me!’ with a look of absolute terror on her
face.
Robert was so shocked, he didn’t quite know
what to say, but he took a step away from this tiny,
tormented woman and said. ‘My apologies. I was only
trying to stop you from falling.’
She leaned her back against the