Free A Rake by Any Other Name by Mia Marlowe

Somerset. Mr. Hightower was struck by the change the expression made in her countenance. Sophie went from being a dirty-cheeked chit to a slightly fallen angel, some of heaven’s light still radiating from her mischievous face. “My mother always says if a problem can be fixed by a good washing, it’s not really much of a problem, is it? Well, Richard, aren’t you going to introduce me to your guests?”
    Mr. Hightower blinked in surprise at her easy familiarity with the son of the house. A grasping upstart if ever there was one, no matter how much blunt her father had.
    â€œCertainly.” Lord Hartley did the honors, presenting Miss Goodnight to Lord and Lady Pruett and Lady Antonia. Hightower couldn’t fault his lordship’s manners. Lord Hartley was as correct as if he and Miss Goodnight were dressed fit to be presented to the queen.
    â€œOh, Lady Antonia, I’m so pleased to meet you,” Miss Goodnight said, extending a hand which the lady took with limp reluctance. “Richard has told me so much about you.”
    â€œReally?” she drawled, her eyes widening at the repeated familiar address. “Strange that Hartley hasn’t said a word about you.”
    â€œNot so strange really,” Miss Goodnight said. “He couldn’t very well have, since we only met last evening.”
    â€œOne doesn’t generally ride double with people one has only just met.” Lady Antonia’s eyes narrowed. “And how is it you two know each other?”
    â€œMy parents are acquainted with Lord and Lady Somerset. They’ve graciously allowed us use of Barrett House.”
    â€œNow I know where I’ve seen you,” Lady Antonia said, burying her pert nose in her teacup for a brief moment. Hightower approved of the delicate way she elevated her pinky finger. Here was a lady worthy of the name. “You were gardening like a common drudge when we drove by earlier. I’d have recognized you sooner if not for the mud.”
    Hightower was less approving of the nastiness of her tone.
    Miss Goodnight’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she turned to Lady Somerset, the younger. “Our stay at Barrett House is part of the reason I came to Somerfield today.”
    â€œSo becoming covered with mud alongside my grandson was not your chief aim?” the dowager put in.
    â€œNo,” Miss Goodnight said with a laugh, “though that was a definite side benefit. I haven’t had a ride like that since the tiger hunt in Punjab. Of course, we were on elephants then.
    â€œElephants!” Lady Antonia put in. “Dear me. How very…exotic.”
    Miss Goodnight ignored her and continued. “In any case, as a small way to thank Lady Somerset for her hospitality, my mother and I wish to invite all the ladies to tea on the morrow. Do say you’ll come.”
    Mr. Hightower cocked his head. It wasn’t the most correct way to invite a marchioness and her family to tea, but it was prettily done. If one didn’t look too closely at the mud…
    â€œWe’d be delighted, Miss Goodnight,” the marchioness said.
    â€œPlease, your ladyship, I wish you’d call me Sophie.” She turned to Lady Antonia and Lady Pruett. “Of course, you are both included in the invitation. Any friend of Richard’s…”
    â€œThank you, Miss Goodnight. I look forward to meeting your mother,” Lady Pruett said. “She must be an extraordinary lady to have raised such…an adventurous daughter.”
    â€œDon’t hold her to account for me,” Miss Goodnight said breezily. “My failings are my own, I assure you.”
    â€œWe won’t have to ride elephants, will we?” Lady Antonia asked with deceptive sweetness.
    â€œNot unless you wish to, but I don’t recommend it in any case,” Miss Goodnight said. “Very bony spines.”
    ***
    â€œThank you kindly for lending us a hand today, Miss