Page 42 of To Follow her Heart

He didn’t look up, but Matilda saw Harriet stiffen at his words.

“Good Lord, as long as that?” Jerome said, a little less certain now. “Well, natural talent will win out I should imagine. What say we get some practice in now?”

Harriet set down her half-eaten slice of toast and wiped her fingers, before returning an indulgent look of the kind one might bestow on an impatient five-year-old. “Well, I shan’t get any peace unless I do, so very well then,” she said, though there was laughter in her eyes.

She got to her feet and Jerome moved to follow her.

“I’ll come too,” Kitty said. “I want to see this wicked skill in action.”

Matilda watched them go, until Bonnie’s voice caught her attention.

“If Jerome has snared Harriet, I will secure Lord St Clair,” Bonnie said, blithely ignoring Matilda’s glare of outrage at her audacity.

To her vexation, Matilda saw Lady Frances and Mrs Drake exchange a glance which spoke volumes about their opinion of Bonnie’s manners.

“It would be my pleasure, Miss Campbell,” St Clair replied politely, earning himself a victorious smile from the dreadful girl. “Though I cannot vouch for the quality of your choice. In fact, I believe I shall get in some practice too, in the hopes I won’t embarrass myself.”

He rose, excused himself, and strode out of the room.

“Miss Hunt, may I prevail upon you to partner me for the competition?”

Matilda looked across the table to where Mr Burton had been trying to catch her eye for the past ten minutes. “Of course, Mr Burton,” she said, with what she hoped was a pleased smile. “I should be delighted to.”

Chapter 12

Dearest Papa,

Yes, the journey to Sussex was exceptionally comfortable in the new carriage. Poor Bonnie doesn’t always travel well, but she was excessively pleased that she didn’t feel the slightest bit nauseous, so you can congratulate yourself on a fine choice.

Holbrooke House is every bit as ancient as you supposed, but I do not believe Lord St Clair would entertain rebuilding as you suggested. It may well be draughty in the winter, but it is very beautiful and the history dreadfully romantic. The family are most attached to it so I should not raise the subject if you ever meet the earl. He might take offense, no matter how generous the benefit of your advice.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Ruth Stone to her father, Mr George Stone.

23rd August 1814, Holbrooke House, Sussex.

“I had no idea you had such a lethal talent,” Kitty said with admiration as Harriet sent yet another arrow sailing down to thunk into the centre of the straw target. “Who taught you?”

Harriet squinted down the length of the archery field to see where her arrow had landed and adjusted her spectacles before answering. “Lord St Clair,” she said.

“When was that?” Kitty pressed, unsurprised by the answer and hoping this might give her the opening she required.

“Oh, years ago,” Harriet said with a shrug as she selected another arrow.

“Was he a patient teacher?”

There was a disgusted snort. “As a boy of twelve? I think not. I was lucky not to be tied to the target.”

Jerome laughed and took his place as Harriet stepped to one side. “Jasper loved to torment poor Harry,” he said, raising his bow and taking aim. “He was quite single-minded about it. I’m certain she only practised so faithfully because she was determined to be better than he was, unless it was with the intention of shooting him if the opportunity arose. That’s equally likely.”

“Sadly, it did not,” Harriet retorted. “Too many witnesses.”

The women watched, admiring the picture the earl’s younger brother made, with his broad shoulders and athletic physique. A soft sigh was just audible, and Kitty turned as Jerome let the arrow fly to see Bonnie had joined them and was staring at Jerome with a look Kitty recognised. She grinned as Bonnie realised she was observed, and flushed scarlet.

“What?” Bonnie said, defensive now as the thunk of the arrow hitting the target drew their attention back to Jerome.

“Well, dash it!” Jerome exclaimed in disgust as his arrow had hit the straw circle but far wide of the bull’s eye. “What a hopeless shot.”

Kitty went to take his place, but Jerome shook his head and waved her away.