when she insisted on dismounting to inspect the woodland. He even dismounted himself to help her remount.
“You’re far cannier than any steward, Jude.” The words as they started off again carried no obvious insincerity, and for a moment Judith believed the compliment. Before she reprimanded herself for such credulity. “I’m glad Oakenhill will be in safe hands while I’m in Spain.”
Judith slowed Sherbery to a walk at the certainty in his voice and John fell in beside her, curbing Thor without compunction when the big stallion showed restiveness at the pace.
“You still intend to transfer to the regulars?”
“No, I will go with my company when Sir Theodore converts the militia to a line regiment, Judith.” He spoke of it so easily without a thought for how his absence would make father distraught. So much for the relief her father had taken from Thomas’ comment that there was ample work for John in England with the militia. Why was she naive enough to place any credence in that man?
“Actually, Theo was saying how he admired you, Judith.” His voice was so tentative that her stomach sank. All of his errors and disasters had been preceded by this little boy voice. “He’s quite the catch you know, Jude. There’s an awful lot of money, and his father sold all the sugar plantations. so that he’s not really in trade anymore.”
“Would it matter if he were, John? To someone who has the soul of a cit.” His blankness told her he had missed that these were his own words flung back at him.
“Well there’s no getting away from the fact that the family is new, Judith. And Lady Florinda is a little, 'em, anxious. But Theo is a damn fine chap. Rides a little heavy maybe. But generous. Can afford to be too.” He stopped with the air of one who realises he is gabbling without getting any closer to his point.
“What is it you’re driving at, John?” Her apprehension was being steadily replaced by irritation. Her morning rides were the best part of her day, and this one was declining beyond redemption.
“Just that Theo was saying how much he admired you.” He’d stopped short, giving every impression of unease.
“So you were discussing me in the mess, were you?” Judith could see no reason to make things easier for her brother, and she enjoyed his response to the outrageous suggestion.
“Good lord no. I’d never. And Theo is a gentleman, even if.. new. No, a private word. He feels you do not care for him. At all.”
“So he asked you to plead for him?” All that was left to salvage was the amusement of pillorying John.
“Just to point out just what a fine match he is. It’s not as if there are too many contenders. You’ve seen them all off, and Thomas isn’t interested. Been here nearly a week and only one call. Wouldn’t advise you to have him if he were anyway. He’s nothing more than a toy box soldier now. Theo’s getting damn fed up with him and his drill and musketry practice. Doesn’t think about the cost of cartridges, you know.” He stopped and peered hopefully across at her. “Well?”
“Well what, dear brother?” Her tone was warning enough for John to shift uncertainly in his saddle.
“I was only trying to be helpful, Judith.” His tone was all injured innocence as he continued to dig his grave. “Theodore values lineage you know.”
“Just as I value my dignity.”
“It would be an advantageous match, Judith.” The cold note was back in her brother’s voice even before his next remark. “Unless you’re set on becoming an ape leader?”
Instead of reacting Judith favoured her brother with the sweetest smile she could dredge up. “But Oakenhill needs me, John. While you’re in Spain. Now if you’re ready I think the horses need some serious exercise.” Sherbery responded with a will to her heel, but John didn’t follow and when she looked back he raised his arm in a mocking farewell before turning for home.
Twenty minutes of galloping took the edge
“You’re far cannier than any steward, Jude.” The words as they started off again carried no obvious insincerity, and for a moment Judith believed the compliment. Before she reprimanded herself for such credulity. “I’m glad Oakenhill will be in safe hands while I’m in Spain.”
Judith slowed Sherbery to a walk at the certainty in his voice and John fell in beside her, curbing Thor without compunction when the big stallion showed restiveness at the pace.
“You still intend to transfer to the regulars?”
“No, I will go with my company when Sir Theodore converts the militia to a line regiment, Judith.” He spoke of it so easily without a thought for how his absence would make father distraught. So much for the relief her father had taken from Thomas’ comment that there was ample work for John in England with the militia. Why was she naive enough to place any credence in that man?
“Actually, Theo was saying how he admired you, Judith.” His voice was so tentative that her stomach sank. All of his errors and disasters had been preceded by this little boy voice. “He’s quite the catch you know, Jude. There’s an awful lot of money, and his father sold all the sugar plantations. so that he’s not really in trade anymore.”
“Would it matter if he were, John? To someone who has the soul of a cit.” His blankness told her he had missed that these were his own words flung back at him.
“Well there’s no getting away from the fact that the family is new, Judith. And Lady Florinda is a little, 'em, anxious. But Theo is a damn fine chap. Rides a little heavy maybe. But generous. Can afford to be too.” He stopped with the air of one who realises he is gabbling without getting any closer to his point.
“What is it you’re driving at, John?” Her apprehension was being steadily replaced by irritation. Her morning rides were the best part of her day, and this one was declining beyond redemption.
“Just that Theo was saying how much he admired you.” He’d stopped short, giving every impression of unease.
“So you were discussing me in the mess, were you?” Judith could see no reason to make things easier for her brother, and she enjoyed his response to the outrageous suggestion.
“Good lord no. I’d never. And Theo is a gentleman, even if.. new. No, a private word. He feels you do not care for him. At all.”
“So he asked you to plead for him?” All that was left to salvage was the amusement of pillorying John.
“Just to point out just what a fine match he is. It’s not as if there are too many contenders. You’ve seen them all off, and Thomas isn’t interested. Been here nearly a week and only one call. Wouldn’t advise you to have him if he were anyway. He’s nothing more than a toy box soldier now. Theo’s getting damn fed up with him and his drill and musketry practice. Doesn’t think about the cost of cartridges, you know.” He stopped and peered hopefully across at her. “Well?”
“Well what, dear brother?” Her tone was warning enough for John to shift uncertainly in his saddle.
“I was only trying to be helpful, Judith.” His tone was all injured innocence as he continued to dig his grave. “Theodore values lineage you know.”
“Just as I value my dignity.”
“It would be an advantageous match, Judith.” The cold note was back in her brother’s voice even before his next remark. “Unless you’re set on becoming an ape leader?”
Instead of reacting Judith favoured her brother with the sweetest smile she could dredge up. “But Oakenhill needs me, John. While you’re in Spain. Now if you’re ready I think the horses need some serious exercise.” Sherbery responded with a will to her heel, but John didn’t follow and when she looked back he raised his arm in a mocking farewell before turning for home.
Twenty minutes of galloping took the edge
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