Page 54 of The Lady Knows Best

Which had in turn made Daphne doubly determined to prevail, first because Bell never listened to her, and second because she was sure her sister was right. Daphne didn’t need another opportunity to confirm Gabriel’s claim that you could judge a man’s character by whether animals liked him.

As always, however, Bell had her way.

Within the hour, Lord Stalbridge’s surmise was proved correct as a redbrick manor house appeared in the distance, at the end of a winding tree-lined road. Daphne glanced out the window from time to time, hoping to catch glimpses through the branches, but reluctant to appear too curious.

“Aren’t you dying to see it?” Bell asked, leaning forward to better her own view.

Daphne folded her hands in her lap and deliberately settled her shoulders against the squabs. “Dying? I should hope not.”

Soon, though, even tucked well back in the seat as she was, she could not avoid the sight of it: its neat, regular appearance; sunlight glinting off tall windows; lighter stone accenting the darker brick in fanciful designs.

But of course the man had a charming house—what else would he have?

“Everything appears to be well-maintained,” Lady Stalbridge said approvingly, with a nod toward a rose garden, bordered with perfectly manicured shrubbery on three sides, and a stone wall closest to the house.

“The farmland and cottages too,” added Lord Stalbridge, who, when he had unexpectedly inherited his title a few years ago, had foregone repairs to his own house in favor of improving living and working conditions for his tenants. “I couldn’t help but notice as we passed.”

As they descended from the carriage and approached the house a few steps behind the Stalbridges, Bell touched Daphne’s elbow. “How does it feel to know you’ll soon be mistress here?” she whispered.

At first, Daphne suspected her of taunting and parted her lips for a sharp retort. But there was openness in her sister’s face, a mixture of both awe and encouragement, and Daphne could only answer honestly: “I’m not sure.” She was beginning to think that coming here had been a mistake.

The door swung open, and they were bowed inside by the butler, a stately man of about fifty years of age. “Good afternoon. Welcome to Lyneham Park. We’ve been expecting you.”

The central hall was not especially wide, but high ceilings made it feel larger than it was. A curved staircase led to the second floor, while on either side of the hall, double doors stood open to reveal a series of tastefully appointed rooms for dining and other formal entertainments. All was elegant without being showy—choices reflecting the tastes of a previous Lord Deveraux, she felt sure, and not the young man who was currently wasting away his life in Town.

“You are Miss Burke, I take it?” the butler said, showing no hesitation in choosing which of the sisters to address, to Daphne’s surprise. Someone must have prepared him for the task.

“I am,” Daphne said. “And this is my sister, Miss Bellis Burke, and our traveling companions, Lord and Lady Stalbridge.”

The butler bowed to acknowledge all that information. “Very good, ma’am. I am Frost, if you need anything at all. Lord Deveraux was not certain when you would arrive, and so has given me instructions to welcome you and show you to your rooms.”

“And where is he?” asked Lady Stalbridge.

“He and Lord Ryland are riding about the park, my lady.”

She rolled her eyes at Daphne: always in pursuit of pleasure, the look communicated, as clearly as words.

Then Frost continued. “Whenever he returns to Lyneham Park, Lord Deveraux always goes out first thing, to see for himself what is happening on the estate, and to determine whether there are any matters his steward might have overlooked or which require his personal attention.”

Without further explanation, he led them up the stairs. Bellis was craning her neck, trying to take in as much as possible, while Lord Stalbridge made some inquiry of the butler Daphne couldn’t quite catch. Lady Stalbridge looped her arm through Daphne’s and spoke low.

“Matters which require his lordship’s personal attention,” she echoed. “What a remarkably discreet way of referring to the local farmers’ daughters.”

Was that the sort of thing Lord Deveraux was hiding?

Daphne forced a wry smile to her lips. “I suppose a rake must have his country amusements, as well as his Town pursuits.”

“And here we are,” said Frost, pausing before a door. “I hope this will be to your liking, Lord and Lady Stalbridge.” The large and lovely room overlooked the grove at the back of the house. “And across the corridor, I’ve placed Miss Burke.” This room, larger yet, was filled with light and provided a lovely view of the rose garden. The furniture was elegant and feminine, the walls painted a soft blue, with coverlet and draperies to match. “Your sister’s chamber is adjoining,” he added, indicating a connecting door through which a slightly smaller room could be seen.

Her own room! Daphne had to battle the temptation to twirl through the space with open arms. She had never minded sharing with her sister, but what luxury to have all this, all for herself. Had Lord Deveraux realized—? But no, of course not. He’d doubtless left the assignment of the rooms to the housekeeper.

Daphne realized her thoughts were wandering when Frost cleared his throat. “If I may, ma’am? Lord Deveraux did mention something about a rather large dog.”

Bell giggled and answered for her. “No dog.”

Yet, Daphne added silently.

“Just a cat,” Bell finished, holding up her basket. Eileen gave a rather pitiful mewl.