‘Steady now.’
He helped her up the steps and she managed to sit down, but even then, when she was settled beside Mrs Ancrum, her spine burned where he had supported her. She could still feel his hand on her back, strong and secure.
‘Well, how fortunate that we should meet with His Lordship,’ remarked Mrs Ancrum as the carriage began to move.
Natalya dragged her eyes away from the sight of Lord Dalmorren, riding beside the barouche on a glossy black hunter.
‘You planned this.’ She glared at Mrs Ancrum. ‘Just as you planned last night’s little party. You are trying to, to throw us together.’
‘I only want to give Lord Dalmorren the opportunity to know the real you, Natalya. The clever, lively, accomplished young lady that I know, not the insipid obedient little doll that the Pridhams would like you to be. If he takes a shine to you, he will support young Mr Erwin when he makes his offer. And heaven knows you will need some support, for I fear you will get very little from your own family.’
‘Freddie Erwin is not going to propose to me. And I would refuse him if he did,’ Natalya told her. ‘I do not love him, ma’am.’
Mrs Ancrum looked as if she was about to say one thing, then she changed her mind. She smiled. ‘I am sorry for it, if that is the case, my love, but I understand. You must think me a foolishly interfering old woman.’
‘Oh, no, ma’am, no! I know you have my interests at heart, truly I do, but believe me when I say that I would not be happy marrying Mr Erwin.’
‘Then I have quite mistook the matter.’
‘You and Lord Dalmorren both,’ muttered Natalya, bitterly.
‘But I hold by my belief that it is better for you to be given a little more freedom than you are granted by your aunt and uncle. How can you learn to be easy in a gentleman’s company if you only see him when you are hedged about by chaperons?’
She gave in. ‘You are perfectly correct, ma’am. Sometimes I feel quite...quite shackled by my life. My every word, every look is scrutinised.’
‘Oh, my poor dear,’ exclaimed Mrs Ancrum with ready sympathy. She patted her hands. ‘You must enjoy yourself when you are with me, then. I shall keep you safe and I will not let you stray beyond the bounds of propriety, but I should like you to know more freedom than you are generally given.’ A roguish twinkle appeared in her eyes. ‘Try a little flirtation with Lord Dalmorren, if you wish. Since you tell me you are not intending to marry his nephew, it cannot hurt!’
Natalya forced a laugh and shook her head. She said nothing but she thought, with some alarm, that such an idea must not be given room to grow. A flirtation with His Lordship could do her a great deal of damage!
The hostelry where Mrs Ancrum had bespoke refreshments was situated almost halfway down Lansdown Hill. When they arrived Lord Dalmorren quickly dismounted to help the ladies step down from the carriage. They were clearly expected, for Natalya had barely alighted when the landlord and his wife both ran out to welcome the visitors. They were shown into the private parlour, where a cold collation had been set out and wines, lemonade and ale were arranged on a sideboard.
Natalya found she was very hungry. She sat down at the table with her companions to enjoy her meal and afterwards Mrs Ancrum declared she needed a rest before resuming her journey. Natalya made her comfortable in the only armchair and placed a glass of wine on a little table at her elbow.
Tristan was pouring himself a tankard of ale, but she knew he was watching her. She glanced around. The only other seating in the room apart from the chairs round the table was a large wooden settle. If she went to sit there, would Tristan join her? Natalya wondered. Would he sit close, their shoulders, possibly their thighs, separated by only a few thin layers of cloth? Her cheeks grew hot and she was alarmed to discover how much she liked the idea.
‘Will you take a glass of wine, Miss Fairchild?’
Tristan was standing at the sideboard, waiting for an answer. She dare not look at him for fear he might read her lustful thoughts.
‘A little lemonade would be very welcome, thank you.’
She returned to the table and sat down. At least its thick wooden top would provide some sort of barrier between them. She felt a little hysterical. She was being nonsensical. There could be no danger sitting here in this room with Mrs Ancrum present. But her hand still shook as she accepted the glass of lemonade from Tristan.
He could not but notice and she tried to laugh it off.
‘I think I must be a little tired. The fresh air...’ She tailed off lamely.
‘And being out so late last night.’ His eyes glinted. ‘Cinderella.’
The memory of their enjoyable evening flooded back. How he had stood beside her while she played, turning the pages. Singing with her.
Singing to her, gazing at her while he sang cara mia.
Stop it, Natalya!
She sat up a little straighter. ‘What nonsense. Midnight is not late at all. It was merely that Mrs Ancrum had promised her maid would escort me home and my aunt had no wish for me to inconvenience anyone.’
‘I see,’ he replied gravely. ‘The Pridhams take great care of you. Which of them is your blood relation?’
She stared into her lemonade, turning the glass slowly between her hands.
‘I do not know,’ she said, her voice low. ‘My uncle has promised to explain everything on my birthday. The fourth of June. I will be one-and-twenty.’
‘Ah. Then you will be free to marry whomsoever you wish.’ He leaned forward. ‘But why must Pridham wait until then to tell you about your parents? Why can
