Free Intrigue (Daughters of Mannerling 2) by MC Beaton Page A

amiably.
    ‘Roistering until dawn,’ said Harry.
    ‘You were calling toasts all night to some female called Jessica Beverley.’
    ‘I was?’
    ‘Fairest creature in England, you kept saying.’
    ‘Some impoverished local lady,’ said Harry. ‘But, begad, I had forgot how beautiful she was. Better than that silly little fat-eyed Habard female.’
    ‘The one who turned you down?’
    Harry glared at him furiously for a moment and then said ruefully, ‘I seem to have been babbling on.’
    ‘What I want to know,’ said Gully, sitting down on the end of the bed, ‘is what are you doing in London if this fair charmer is in the country?’
    ‘She’ll keep,’ said Harry. ‘I can have that one any time I please.’
    ‘But not outside marriage?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Won’t your parents have something to say on that score? I never knew parents yet who were prepared to give their blessing to a marriage where no or little money was involved.’
    ‘Oh, they’ll howl a bit, but then they’ll let me have what I want. They always do.’
    ‘Thought they were going to cut off your funds because you’re leaving the army.’
    ‘They huff and puff a bit, but they always come around. I tell you what I’m missing. I’m missing Mannerling.’
    ‘Who’s she?’
    ‘Not she. My home in the country. Bless me, you’ve never seen anywhere so beautiful.’
    ‘Beautiful home, beautiful Miss Beverley. I repeat, why are you here?’
    ‘Because both of ’em ain’t going to run away. I need a bit of fun without my parents breathing down my neck. There’s the Cyprian ball at the Argyll Rooms tonight. If I don’t die before then.’
    The Beverleys had assumed that Robert Sommerville lived alone. But it transpired that his sister Honoria resided with him. She was a spinster in her late thirties. Like her brother she was tall, black-haired, and black-eyed. The strong features that made her brother handsome made her look formidable. But she certainly appeared all that was amiable as she welcomed them, and the sisters saw nothing to fear.
    Tarrant Hall was a comfortable mansion set in rolling parkland. It had every elegance and comfort. The rooms allocated to each were well appointed, the servants were polite and efficient, and the cook was excellent. Away from the spell of Mannerling, the girls chattered happily, enjoying this unexpected holiday. Robert Sommerville had said nothing about Harry Devers, and no one had asked him for any news.
    Only the shrewd Miss Trumble sensed trouble ahead. She alone had not been deceived by the amiable Miss Honoria Sommerville. Miss Trumble quickly came to the conclusion that Honoria enjoyed being mistress of Tarrant Hall and had no intention of relinquishing her position by letting her brother marry.
    Miss Trumble could only rely on the obvious strength of Robert’s character and the hope that he could not be influenced by this sister of his. She began to relax as the days passed and Robert and Jessica talked together, went for walks, and spent a great deal of time in each other’s company.
    Honoria watched and waited and bided her time. To point out to her brother that the Beverleys had no money to speak of would not affect him, for had he not told her that fact himself?
    She studied the sisters. Miss Trumble, she reflected, was the problem. Despite the fact they were all on a visit, the governess continued to educate the girls each morning, and Robert often joined in these schoolroom sessions, confiding to his sister that it was a pleasure to find girls who were intelligent as well as beautiful. Honoria led – usually – a calm, self-sufficient life. She was not used to making friends, particularly among younger members of her own sex. But she realized she would have to get close to one of them if she was to find out some weakness, or piece of gossip, she could exploit.
    It was then her attention was drawn to little Lizzie. There was something sad at the back of the girl’s eyes and she did not