Ninian.
'Yes, but there are always people unwilling to pay duty on brandy and tea,' he replied. 'The fishermen are making far greater profits on that than on their legal business!'
Just then Lydia and Diana were announced, and there was no more talk of the ruins until, as Lady Fordington and Ninian were about to depart, Lady Fordington suggested the young people might care to visit Priory Dene soon and explore the ruins.
'It is not what I would regard as a treat,' she said with a smile, 'but I know that you are likely to consider it so. When you come I will arrange an al fresco meal to be served there if the weather is still fine.'
Chapter Four
On the following day William announced at breakfast that the visit to the ruins had been arranged for two days hence.
'How have you arranged that?' Georgiana demanded.
'Oh, I saw Ninian last night,' William said, and hurriedly tried to change the subject.
'I'm pleased you are making an effort with that young man,' Sir Roderick said approvingly. 'Lord Fordington has almost agreed to my price for the farms. There are just a few more things to discuss.'
'I did not know you were out last night, William,' Georgiana persisted, puzzled. 'You were in to dinner.'
'Do I have to tell you of all my movements?' William demanded, exasperated.
'Oh well, if you want to be secretive about it, I'm sure I don't care! Doubtless you were engaged in something disreputable!'
'It's none of your business, miss!' William retorted, and ostentatiously turned to his father to ask whether he planned to go to Brighthelmstone in the next few days.
As soon as she could escape Georgiana left the breakfast-room and vanished in the direction of the stables. Isabella assumed she was going to see how Prince's strained fetlock was responding to treatment, and went unconcernedly about her own duties. She was checking linen when Georgiana reappeared, a smile of mingled achievement and distaste on her face.
'There was cock fighting at the Crown last night,' she announced. 'That is where my dear brother was! I think it is disgusting!'
Isabella nodded absentmindedly. 'So do I, but most men enjoy it in the same way as they enjoy pugilism or duelling. I cannot understand it and would hate to watch it myself. Why, I even detest seeing dogs set on to a bear. I always feel so sorry for the poor bear!'
'Lord Fordington was not there. He is either more refined in his feelings, or more adult than William!'
Isabella carefully put away a neat pile of pillowcases and turned to laugh at Georgiana.
'Since he is a dozen years or so older, you could expect him to be more adult! But how did you discover this?'
'Jack, the groom, told me, for he was there himself. It seems,' she added in a puzzled voice, 'that men of the highest ton mix freely with everyone, grooms and coachmen and farm labourers, when sport is in question. I find it very odd they seem to ignore servants who are doing a job, and then hobnob with them in some dirty barn or back yard just because there is some wager at issue.'
'Men have their own rules,' Isabella commented. 'Think of the uproar there would be if we wanted to behave in the same manner!'
Georgiana giggled. 'Do you like Ninian?' she demanded.
Isabella looked at her quickly, wondering if she had formed a tendre for the young man, but Georgiana was regarding her candidly and it appeared to be an innocent question.
'I find him pleasant enough,' Isabella said slowly, beginning to fold a pile of napkins, 'but from what I have heard and seen he seems somewhat unsteady.'
'Lydia thinks he has formed an attachment to her,' Georgiana confided. 'Myself, I am not so certain. His mother would want him to look higher, I am sure.'
'I hope Lydia will not be foolish, expecting too much.'
'I am afraid she might. I did not think he paid her any extraordinary attentions, for he was equally pleasant to me. Do you think it would be a good notion for me to encourage him, to show Lydia whether he is in
'Yes, but there are always people unwilling to pay duty on brandy and tea,' he replied. 'The fishermen are making far greater profits on that than on their legal business!'
Just then Lydia and Diana were announced, and there was no more talk of the ruins until, as Lady Fordington and Ninian were about to depart, Lady Fordington suggested the young people might care to visit Priory Dene soon and explore the ruins.
'It is not what I would regard as a treat,' she said with a smile, 'but I know that you are likely to consider it so. When you come I will arrange an al fresco meal to be served there if the weather is still fine.'
Chapter Four
On the following day William announced at breakfast that the visit to the ruins had been arranged for two days hence.
'How have you arranged that?' Georgiana demanded.
'Oh, I saw Ninian last night,' William said, and hurriedly tried to change the subject.
'I'm pleased you are making an effort with that young man,' Sir Roderick said approvingly. 'Lord Fordington has almost agreed to my price for the farms. There are just a few more things to discuss.'
'I did not know you were out last night, William,' Georgiana persisted, puzzled. 'You were in to dinner.'
'Do I have to tell you of all my movements?' William demanded, exasperated.
'Oh well, if you want to be secretive about it, I'm sure I don't care! Doubtless you were engaged in something disreputable!'
'It's none of your business, miss!' William retorted, and ostentatiously turned to his father to ask whether he planned to go to Brighthelmstone in the next few days.
As soon as she could escape Georgiana left the breakfast-room and vanished in the direction of the stables. Isabella assumed she was going to see how Prince's strained fetlock was responding to treatment, and went unconcernedly about her own duties. She was checking linen when Georgiana reappeared, a smile of mingled achievement and distaste on her face.
'There was cock fighting at the Crown last night,' she announced. 'That is where my dear brother was! I think it is disgusting!'
Isabella nodded absentmindedly. 'So do I, but most men enjoy it in the same way as they enjoy pugilism or duelling. I cannot understand it and would hate to watch it myself. Why, I even detest seeing dogs set on to a bear. I always feel so sorry for the poor bear!'
'Lord Fordington was not there. He is either more refined in his feelings, or more adult than William!'
Isabella carefully put away a neat pile of pillowcases and turned to laugh at Georgiana.
'Since he is a dozen years or so older, you could expect him to be more adult! But how did you discover this?'
'Jack, the groom, told me, for he was there himself. It seems,' she added in a puzzled voice, 'that men of the highest ton mix freely with everyone, grooms and coachmen and farm labourers, when sport is in question. I find it very odd they seem to ignore servants who are doing a job, and then hobnob with them in some dirty barn or back yard just because there is some wager at issue.'
'Men have their own rules,' Isabella commented. 'Think of the uproar there would be if we wanted to behave in the same manner!'
Georgiana giggled. 'Do you like Ninian?' she demanded.
Isabella looked at her quickly, wondering if she had formed a tendre for the young man, but Georgiana was regarding her candidly and it appeared to be an innocent question.
'I find him pleasant enough,' Isabella said slowly, beginning to fold a pile of napkins, 'but from what I have heard and seen he seems somewhat unsteady.'
'Lydia thinks he has formed an attachment to her,' Georgiana confided. 'Myself, I am not so certain. His mother would want him to look higher, I am sure.'
'I hope Lydia will not be foolish, expecting too much.'
'I am afraid she might. I did not think he paid her any extraordinary attentions, for he was equally pleasant to me. Do you think it would be a good notion for me to encourage him, to show Lydia whether he is in
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