“I take a particular interest in our justice system, and the way it is carried out.” Sir George nodded, but a tinge of curiosity entered his expression. Perhaps he thought a man of fashion like Richard couldn’t take an interest in anything outside his wardrobe. People often made that mistake. Richard addressed his brother. “Now you would make an excellent politician, Gervase, and you could remain in the Commons.”

“You could be a new Pelham and Newcastle,” said James, referring to our present leaders, also brothers, one in the Lords, the other in the Commons.

Richard’s shudder was so pronounced it could have been seen right down at the other end of the table. “I thank you, no. If anything could persuade me to stay well out of political affairs, that reference could.”

“Can it be you support the Tory cause, my lord?” asked Sir George with a sudden increased interest.

“I have no idea what that could be.” Richard drained his glass and watched the servant refill it. “If I am anything, I must be Whig, but that doesn’t encourage me to admire Newcastle. Pelham is a competent man, I think, but his brother seems to lack the resolve a good politician needs. He prefers sycophants to men of ability. I should like to think I’m too good for him, but I’ll never know, since I don’t intend to try.”

“Is your father interested in politics?” asked James.

“He supports Henry Fox, but he doesn’t aspire to high office. So, madam,” he said, turning to me, “if you were hoping to be a political hostess I’m afraid I must disappoint you.”

I smiled, relieved he had let Miss Terry alone for the time being. “I can live without it. But if I really wanted to, I could always become Gervase’s hostess.”

“Until he gets himself a wife of his own.” Sir George smiled, and Miss Terry eyed Gervase speculatively. Of all the people at this table tonight only Richard, Lizzie and I knew Gervase’s secret, that his scandalous elopement had been with another man, not the man’s wife, as had been put about. I had confided in my sister, with Gervase’s permission, and she had been a lot less censorious that I had supposed. Society suspected, but when he returned from India, his riches went a long way towards convincing society that he wouldn’t cause such scandal again. He did seem to have learned his lesson, and he kept his affairs admirably discreet. Moreover, he was an amusing and much valued dinner guest, and would have been a sad loss to many hostesses, so most people let it be. I hoped there would be no scandals here in my home county. Surely the Kerre brothers would not be here long enough for that.

Chapter Five

The dinner ended. I stood with everyone else and watched the men drift apart from the women. Richard inclined his head and favoured me with a wink as he stood with the other gentlemen while we left the room. I lowered my head on a smile. It was like him to tease me in public, try to make me lose my composure while giving me every support. The perversity of his nature alarmed me sometimes.

Lady Skerrit twined her hand around my arm as if she had suddenly grown frail; an extraordinary accomplishment considering her sturdy form. She flicked out her fan and used it to direct me to the drawing room at the front of the house. I felt like the leader of a flock of brightly clad sheep walking along the candlelit corridor. Tall paintings of Skerrit ancestors peered down at us from either side.

The drawing room candles were already lit. Tea was laid out on the sideboards and the tables set up in the centre for card playing. Lady Skerrit’s servants were most efficient, as always.

Lady Skerrit drew me aside, with a concerned expression, echoing that of her son. “A word, if you please, Rose.”

We sat a little apart, and talked quietly while a maid brought us tea and cakes. I waited to hear what my dear friend’s mama would have to say, but I feared I had guessed already. “My dear, I hope you don’t mind if I speak out, but you and Tom have run together since you were children, and I almost look on you as one of my own. In fact, once I hoped—” She broke off and sighed. “But it was not to be.”

“Lady Skerrit, I—” I hoped to head her off, but she held up her hand for me to cease. It was a gesture I remembered well from my childhood and I was quiet.

“Lord Strang is a personable man, but he is a man of the world, and you, despite your age, are an innocent. I’ve seen men like this before. They cause great misery to people and I don’t want you to become one of them. My dear, are you sure about this?” Her regard was all earnest anxiety and because we had been so close, I didn’t try to turn her concerns away lightly. She truly cared for me.

I sighed, and put my tea dish down, as I met her gaze with a frankness that matched her own. “Yes ma’am, I’m sure. I truly appreciate your concern, and I think, because you have known us for so long, I ought to tell you a little more. But please, don’t let it be generally known.” Lady Skerrit nodded and leaned towards me, so as not to be overheard.

I didn’t want to tell her, but if I didn’t try to explain, she would worry about me. “It’s not something one looks for in marriage