Page 33 of No Ordinary Lady

Yet with Marian still here and his family in the room, of course, he could not propose to Amy even if he had the ring.

He would have to steal Amy away to talk to her without everyone knowing he was doing so. Not that they wouldn’t know what he wanted to speak to her about in private.

The clock out in the hall chimed. “I’m afraid I must return home to my father now,” Amy said, pouting a little.

Daniel glanced at the clock on the mantle and cursed. Had he known Amy was on the estate, he would have sought her out sooner. But without his pocket watch, he had lost track of the time. “Oh, no. So soon?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. Papa normally comes with me every morning to be of service to your poor mother, but he was detained at home by his steward at the last minute and sent his regrets. I must be home to take luncheon with him.”

“I hope nothing is wrong at home?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing at all serious,” Amy murmured with a wave of her hand. “Estate business, no doubt.”

“I’m sure you’ve no need to worry about that sort of thing,” Granny murmured. “Your father worries enough about our two estates as it is. He must be exhausted. Do hurry home.”

Daniel winced, but the criticism flew entirely over Amy’s head, and she curtsied and excused herself, bid him remain where he was and let her maid escort her from the room.

Daniel watched Amy go. Their time together was all too brief today, and had not advanced his cause. He would have to make sure he was informed of when she came to call in the future.

He turned to look at Mother once more, one brow raised. “I’ve heard nothing of any substantial changes being made to the estate since my return. What the devil are you up to now?”

“The estate must adapt to new discoveries to aid propagation,” Mama told him. “It’s not important that you know every minor detail as soon as you arrive home.”

“Well, Amy seems to think I know everything already.”

“Well, you will eventually. I’m trying to teach her my way of doing things. The girl has little understanding of cultivation yet, though I have high hopes that once away from her father, her proper education can begin.” Mother scowled and turned her attention to Granny and Marian. “What I want to know is, who’s this woman?”

“This,” Granny said, gesturing to Marian, “is my new companion.”

“You already have a companion, hired at great expense, and I recall no carriage arriving this morning.” Mother turned her eyes on him. “When did the young lady arrive?”

“Yesterday,” Granny said with a smile for Marian. “Late, while we were all at dinner.”

Mother turned a stony gaze his way. “I suppose this is your doing?”

“I’m as surprised as you are,” Daniel promised.

“Good, then she can be easily sent back again,” Mother said, glaring at her mother.

“I’ll not allow Miss Marian Trill to be sent away,” Granny declared, scowling right back at Mama.

“Now wait a moment,” Daniel protested, getting to his feet. “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

Marian put a restraining hand on Granny’s arm. “It’s all right. I’m happy to go.”

Mother’s lips pursed tightly, and she frowned. “Did you say Miss Marian Trill?”

“Yes, my dear.”

“Trill, as in the Trills of Clayborne Street, Portishead?” Mama asked, appearing to recognize the name.

“Indeed, that’s the very family,” Granny promised with a pleased smile. “Old friends. You remember how fond I was of all of them?”

“You were fond of everyone, deserving or not,” Mother counted, eyes narrowing dangerously on Marian. She looked her up and down and finally nodded. “Welcome to Hammersley Lodge, Miss Trill. It’s a pleasure to have you visit.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Marian replied, lowering her eyes demurely as if she was some inexperienced debutant out to make a good impression on a high-ranking lady. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“Yes, it is. I trust your journey from Portishead was not too fatiguing,” Mother murmured with more politeness.