Free Dangerous Dalliance by Joan Smith Page B

more or less.”
    “He will be leaving us immediately,” Mrs. Lovatt added.
    “As soon as you disband your flock,” he said, nodding. “Naturally someone must be in charge of the birds until that time. It seems a great pity to lose out on all Mr. Hume’s work, does it not? Just when he had developed a new strain, too. Caesar’s offspring were to be named after your father, I believe? It must grieve you deeply to give them up, Miss Hume.”
    I heard the echoes of Snoad in this speech, and wondered if I was doing the right thing to so heedlessly toss out my father’s work. “Yes, it is a pity,” I agreed, “but I know virtually nothing about raising pigeons, or training them.”
    “Must Snoad leave you?” he asked. “He sounds the proper one to teach you.”
    I felt guilty, and said vaguely, “Now that my father is gone, Snoad will not remain long.”
    “I hope we can salvage Caesar and Cleo’s strain at least. You may rest assured the Hume strain will be well tended, if I am the fortunate breeder who obtains them.”
    There was not a single doubt in my mind that Fairfield would be the purchaser. It was already darting through my mind that perhaps I ought to make him a gift of them.
    Wine was poured, and the conversation turned to more general topics. Fairfield said he was not very familiar with Hythe, though he had driven through it on his way to Dover. “I have relatives in Dover,” he explained.
    He mentioned Lympne Castle and Saltwood Castle, where Becket’s assassins met en route to Canterbury. Mrs. Lovatt recommended a few old churches he ought to visit, and when his glass was empty, Lord Fairfield rose to take his leave. I accompanied him to the door.
    As we reached it, he paused a moment and asked, “When will you be back at Gracefield, ma’am?”
    I was so eager for his visit that I said, “I expect we shall leave tomorrow.”
    “Then I shall call the day after tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you again.” He took my hand, but instead of shaking it, he lifted it to within an inch of his lips for a ritual kiss. “I wish it were to be sooner,” he added, smiling flirtatiously. I had never seen such beautiful blue eyes. A warmth invaded my cheeks at his manner.
    “Can you recommend a good hotel in Hythe?” he continued. “I may wish to remain a few days.” His eyes spoke volumes, none of them having to do with pigeons.
    “I hope you will stay with us, Lord Fairfield,” I said. It seemed the polite thing to do.
    “You are very kind, ma’am. I will be honored.” He bowed and left.
    I wished I could be alone for a moment to savor my little romance, but already Mrs. Lovatt was calling from the sofa corner. “What had he to say, Heather? It took him a long time to leave.”
    “He was just inquiring where he could stay in Hythe.”
    “You ought to have asked him to stay at Gracefield, ninny!” my aunt charged.
    I had dreaded telling her, lest she think it too forward. “I did,” I replied. We exchanged a meaningful smile. Few words are necessary between ladies, where nabbing an eligible parti is concerned.
    Smythe shook his head. “Told you, a bit of a dasher. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
    “This helps solve the question of Snoad,” Mrs. Lovatt said in satisfaction. “Fairfield will take whatever stock is worth anything, and we’ll release the rest of them.”
    “I told him he might come the day after tomorrow, Auntie,” I said. “Do you think it too early?”
    “Your notices will be in the journals tomorrow,” Bunny reminded us. I had forgotten all about them.
    “We can have Soames forward any replies to Gracefield,” my aunt said. I took it for approval of any early departure. “I am ready to go now. We know what Harold was doing here. Visiting that vulgar hussy. And if he had his fingers into anything else, I don’t want to hear any more about it. It is over and done with. We shall leave tomorrow morning. I’m going to retire now. Don’t feel you must rush