Page 14 of To Follow her Heart

Mr Derby turned a disapproving expression upon Jasper. “Good evening, Lord St Clair. I am relieved to discover this is not the usual state of affairs to be found in a room designed for more serious matters.”

Jasper felt his hackles rise a little at such stuffiness, but caught the glimmer of amusement in the younger man’s eyes and forced himself to reply with tact. He had relatives himself.

“Indeed not, Mr Derby. I suspect foul play.” At that moment a slight movement caught his eye. The curtains covering doors that led out to the grounds beyond had been closed for the night. A glimpse of pink silk had been unmistakably visible for just a moment, before being whisked out of sight.

Harriet had been wearing a pink silk gown.

His lips twitched. The little wretch. Who would have thought it?

His bear—a gift from friends during his school days—looked as if he’d had a jolly good evening. Dressed fully in evening clothes, his waistcoat looked like some nightmarish thing Henry would delight in tormenting Jasper with, and the bear’s hat was set at a rakish angle. Somehow, she’d even fixed an empty bottle into its massive paw.

Jasper found himself delighted by the discovery that Harriet—always so serious and disapproving—had a ridiculous sense of humour.

“My brother, no doubt,” he said with an easy smile, feeling not the least qualm in blaming his sibling for any diabolical behaviour. It was the sort of thing Jerome would do when in his cups, anyway. “Young men find amusement in such things, I believe.”

Mr Derby looked increasingly disturbed and glanced at the man beside him, whom Jasper judged to be much the same age as Jerome. It looked as if Mr Derby regretted bringing Trevick’s heir—for Jasper assumed that was who the fellow was—to such a den of iniquity. Rumour had it that, after years of untimely deaths and catastrophes, the earl was taking no chances with the last in his line.

“Well, I’ll take your word for it,” Mr Derby said as Jasper willed himself to return a polite smile. “I shan’t take much of your time. I realise you have guests, but I thought it only right and proper to inform you that there will be an announcement later this week. Mr Baxter here will become engaged to one of your other guests, the Lady Frances Grantham. We have her father’s approval, of course, but your house party seemed a convivial moment to make the news public.”

There was a slight scuffling noise by the curtains which Jasper studiously ignored and spoke quickly to keep their attention fixed upon him. “Of course, Mr Derby. How delightful.”

Jasper was perfectly conscious of the fact Mr Derby would be well aware of his own reputation. What the fellow was really saying was Lady Frances Grantham is off limits, so keep your sticky paws off her. Jasper was only too happy to comply.

Lady Frances had made her interest in him known from the beginning of the season and he’d have not invited her if his mother hadn’t insisted. All he could feel was relief at not being chased around his own home for the next two weeks or more, while trying to avoid getting himself leg shackled. She struck him as the kind of woman who would set a trap without thinking twice about it.

At that moment, a knock sounded at his study door.

“Come,” Jasper called, eager to be done with this interview so he could deal with the woman hiding behind his curtains. He was thoroughly looking forward to it.

To his surprise and chagrin, Lady Frances herself bustled in, with her companion Mrs Drake in tow.

“Oh, it is you, Mr Derby… and Mr Baxter,” she added with a shy smile. “I do beg your pardon for the intrusion, my lord,” she said, turning a melting gaze on Jasper. “But when Mrs Drake informed me of the accident, I knew I wouldn’t sleep a wink until I assured myself they were unharmed.”

“As you see, Lady Frances,” Mr Baxter said with a smile that Jasper thought did not quite meet his eyes. “We are perfectly well and—”

Jasper’s heart flew to his throat as there was a sudden burst of activity behind the curtains… and Kitty Connolly stumbled through them. She was staring at Mr Baxter as though she’d seen a ghost, and then an expression of such joy dawned on her face that Jasper’s heart felt squeezed.

“Luke!” she exclaimed, and flew across the room, throwing her arms about Mr Baxter.

The young man made a choked sound, but there was no doubting his expression was the twin of Miss Connolly’s.

“Kitten!” he breathed, the one word husky with surprise.

For the briefest moment he embraced her as if he’d never let her go again, before realising where he was and in what circumstances, and hurriedly setting her away from him. A blush stained his cheeks, but he squared his shoulders and faced her.

“Oh, Luke,” Kitty cried. “Where have you been all this time? Why did you never get in touch? And… and tell me you’re not truly thinking of marrying that… that woman?”

“Indeed, he is,” Lady Frances said, her tone icy. “And I should like an explanation right now, Mr Baxter, this minute. Who is this creature and why was she hiding behind the curtains?”

Mr Baxter went to open his mouth but Mr Derby spoke over him.

“It’s obvious enough: the woman is clearly deranged. No doubt she was lying in wait, setting a trap for the first eligible man to come through the door,” Mr Derby said, an expression of deep distaste on his already severe features. “Lady Frances, please do not upset yourself. If you would just leave it to me we will deal this with outrageous creature, I assure you.”

“Mr Derby!” Mr Baxter exclaimed, looking furious.

Jasper didn’t think Lady Frances looked upset. Rather, she looked murderous, especially when her soon-to-be-betrothed spoke in Miss Connolly’s defence. He glanced around to see that Harriet too was emerging from the curtains and shook his head, glaring at her, silently commanding she return to her hiding place before anyone noticed her presence. Heaven alone knew what this could do to her reputation. Kitty had just ruined herself, and he’d not let her take Harriet down too.

Harriet hesitated, defiance in her eyes, wanting to go to her friend.