The Rake to Reveal Her

‘Of course I remember. But why didn’t you tell me your landlord was a Ransleigh?’

‘The owner of that much land would doubtless be a member of a prominent family. I didn’t think it mattered which one.’

‘Not matter? Good heavens, child, don’t be ridiculous! One must always be aware of the social position of the individuals with whom one associates—as you army folk want to know the rank of a military acquaintance.’

‘I suppose you’re right,’ Theo conceded. ‘Enlighten me, then.’

‘Do you know anything of his background?’

‘Only that he was in the army for the duration of the war.’

‘So he was—he and his three cousins. The ‘Ransleigh Rogues,’ the boys have been called since their Eton days. They grew up inseparable, and when Alastair Ransleigh ran off to the army after being jilted by his fiancée—quite a scandal that was!—the other three joined up to watch over him. The eldest, Max—younger son of the Earl of Swynford, who practically runs the House of Lords!—was involved in a scandal of his own, something about an affair with a Frenchwoman at the Congress of Vienna and an assassination attempt on Wellington. The youngest, Will, the illegitimate son of the Earl’s brother, spent his first decade on the streets of St Giles before being recovered by the family.’

‘My, that is an assortment!’ Theo said with a laugh.

‘Your landlord, Dominic, was known as “Dandy Dom”, the handsomest man in the regiment, able to ride anything with four legs and drive anything with four wheels.’ I don’t know about the former, but I’ve seen him in Hyde Park, impeccably dressed, navigating a coach and four through the crowd as easily as if it were a pony cart on an empty country lane. He is—was—absolutely fearless on the hunting field, I’m told. His late father moved the family to Quorn country so long ago, I’d forgotten their primary estate was in Suffolk.’

The details about his family drifted into the background of her mind like dust settling on a window-sill. All that struck Theo was the image of a runaway horse and a one-armed man shuffling down the lane, his garments spattered with mud and leaves, his face strained and angry. Able to ride anything with four legs...

Her heart contracted with a sympathetic pain. How much more bitter it must be to bear his injuries, knowing he’d been renowned throughout the polite world for those skills!

‘Does he seem...recovered?’ her aunt asked, pulling her from her thoughts. At Theo’s questioning look, she continued. ‘I only wonder because he was engaged to a duke’s daughter, and broke with her as soon as he returned from Belgium. It was quite the on dit before I left London, the young lady making it known that it was Mr Ransleigh who wished to cry off, not her.’

‘I had no idea,’ Theo said. She ran through her observations of his behaviour before continuing, ‘He didn’t seem to be brooding over a lost love, but then a man would hardly wear his heart on his sleeve, especially before a stranger. Certainly he’s not yet fully recovered physically.’

‘Retired to the country to finish healing,’ her aunt said, nodding. ‘Here, rather than in Leicestershire, where the memories of his hunting days would be sure to torment him.’ Lady Amelia shook her head wonderingly. ‘Dominic Ransleigh, living practically at your doorstep! Thank heaven you wore something at least moderately attractive when you called on him yesterday!’

Then she realised what she’d just said, and gasped. ‘Oh, Theo, you called on him? You took Constancia with you, I hope?’

‘I’m afraid not. Really, Aunt, I had no idea my landlord was a bachelor. I was expecting a doddering old man with an ear trumpet, rather than a most attractive young man.’

‘He is—still attractive? I’d heard he was grievously wounded.’

‘He lost an arm and an eye, and his face is scarred. But he’s still a very handsome man.’ A heated awareness shivered through her as she remembered just how arresting he was. ‘Perhaps even more compelling now, given the grace with which he bears his injuries.’

Her aunt’s expression brightened. ‘And he’s once again unattached!’

‘Don’t look at me with that light in your eye!’ Theo warned. ‘For one, if Mr Ransleigh has just broken an engagement, he’s unlikely to start angling after some other female. Nor, having rejected a duke’s daughter, is he apt to consider anyone less lofty. I expect he came to the country to find space and time...especially if his circumstances have changed so drastically. So promise me, no hints from you about how superior my lineage and prospects are, despite my current situation.’

The very idea that Ransleigh might suspect she was trying to attach him made Theo feel ill. Patting her hand, Lady Amelia said, ‘Don’t upset yourself, my dear! I would never do anything to embarrass you.’

Theo relaxed a little—until her aunt gave her a smile Theo didn’t entirely trust before saying, ‘In any event, we’ve kept him waiting long enough. Shall we go in?’

* * *

A few moments later, Theo and Aunt Amelia entered the parlour. The warmth of Ransleigh’s smile as he rose to acknowledge them sent an immediate surge of response through her. Trying to curb it—and her dismay at how strong and involuntary a reaction it was—Theo made the necessary introductions.

‘Delighted to meet you, Lady Coghlane,’ Ransleigh said.

‘As I am to meet you, Mr Ransleigh. And may I add my thanks for your gallant service with the Dragoons? I can’t tell you how much better we all sleep, knowing that Napoleon is vanquished for good!’

Ransleigh inclined his head. ‘Doing my duty, as so many others did. My condolences on the loss of your brother, by the way. Too many good men fell at Waterloo.’

Her aunt’s eyes misted over. ‘Richard’s life was the army, but it’s been...difficult. Enough of that, now. By the way, I knew your late mother well—we came out together. A lovely, sweet girl, who became an elegant and much-admired lady. The carriage accident which claimed your parents’ lives was a sad day for all of us. Though it’s been years, you have my deepest sympathy. It’s not a loss from which one recovers easily.’

Ransleigh nodded. ‘I was fortunate to have my cousins and their families to help me bear it. So my mother was said to be elegant?’ He laughed and shook his head. ‘I remember her in a worn riding habit, mud on her boots and her windblown hair escaping from her bonnet. She was as hunting-mad as my father, at a time when ladies weren’t supposed to hunt.’

‘I seldom leave London, so I didn’t see her often after the family relocated to Upton Park. Which happened so long ago, as I told Theo, I’d forgotten Bildenstone was your primary estate. How are you finding it?’

‘After being away with the army for so many years, I’m just reacquainting myself with it. My grandfather did accumulate a superb library, which I’m enjoying.’

‘I understand my niece wishes to rent one of your buildings for her project. Though I applaud the tender feelings which inspire her, I have to admit, I have tried to talk her out of it. Such a weighty responsibility for someone so young, do you not agree?’

Theo threw her aunt an indignant look, to which that lady returned a bland smile. ‘Really, Aunt Amelia, delighted as I am that you journeyed here to welcome me back to England, I’ll not be so happy if you induce Mr Ransleigh to have second thoughts about allowing me to use his building!’

‘I, too, think establishing the school a laudable aim—if a bit unusual an undertaking for a gently born lady,’ Ransleigh said. ‘However, from my brief acquaintance with your niece, Lady Coghlane, I don’t think she’s likely to be dissuaded.’

Her aunt sighed. ‘She takes after her father in that—once she’s fixed a project in her head, there’s no dislodging it.’

‘Will you be staying to help her begin the school?’

‘Heavens, no! I have neither training nor inclination. As Theo said, I came only to welcome her to England. I’m too fond of London’s comforts to tarry long in the country. I have been trying to persuade her to visit me, perhaps for the rest of the Season.’ She gave Theo an arch look. ‘There are, after all, other laudable goals for a young lady to accomplish.’

‘If you’re hinting at marriage, Aunt, I’ve no intention of accomplishing that goal, as you well know,’ Theo said, irritated. ‘I’m happy in the country, and I fully expect the children to occupy all my time. That is—’ she looked over at Ransleigh as the dismaying thought suddenly occurred ‘—assuming you didn’t come here to tell me you intend to withdraw your permission to rent your building.’

‘No, I have not,’ Ransleigh replied. ‘Although I hope that won’t put me in your black books, Lady Coghlane.’

‘For the fondness I bore your mother, I shall try to forgive you,’ she said with a twinkle.

‘I am relieved! I should hate to offend my mother’s good friend. As for why I appeared on your doorstep, it’s such a fine morning for a drive, I decided to take your good advice, Miss Branwell, and get some fresh air. While pondering where I might drive, I recalled your invitation and thought perhaps I might meet the orphans whose school building I’ve agreed to lease to you.’

Surprised—and impressed, for how many young men would trouble to acquaint themselves with a group of children—and orphaned commoners at that?—Theo said, ‘I’m sure they would be delighted to meet you. Especially Jemmie, the oldest, who will have to be restrained from monopolising you, once he discovers you’re a soldier. I’ve already ordered a farm wagon brought up so I might drive them over to the building this morning. They’ve walked so often in the van of the supply wagons; the opportunity to ride in one is quite a treat. If you don’t mind including in your drive a stop at the stone barn, may I wait to introduce them until after we arrive? They will be much more attentive once the ride takes the edge off their exuberance.’

‘Of course. I brought my tilbury, Lady Coghlane. May I offer you a ride?’

‘That’s kind, Mr Ransleigh, but I will not be going. The prospect of a gaggle of children running about, shrieking at each other at the top of their lungs, does not appeal. As for the barn, Theo tells me it is presently unoccupied, needing a good deal of work before it will be fit for her purposes.’ Lady Coghlane shuddered. ‘Not a task I’d willingly undertake! I prefer my rooms already cleaned, polished, heated and well furnished before I enter them—preferably to find a comfortable couch upon which to sit, and a butler at the ready to bring refreshments.’

Theo laughed. ‘It’s good that Papa didn’t ask his sister to follow the drum, then. Shall you feel neglected if I leave you for a time?’

‘Certainly not, my dear. I have letters to write.’

‘I’ll bid you goodbye, then,’ Ransleigh said, making her a bow. ‘Once again, it was a pleasure to meet such a charming lady, and doubly so to meet a friend of my mother’s.’

‘Goodbye, Mr Ransleigh. Do call if you find yourself in town. I would be pleased to receive you in that comfortable parlour and offer some excellent refreshments!’

Ransleigh laughed. ‘I will certainly avail myself of your hospitality when I’m next in London.’ Turning to Theo, he said, ‘Shall I meet you and your charges at the barn, Miss Branwell?’

‘Yes. I’ll go collect them at once. Until later, Aunt Amelia. Let me escort you out, Mr Ransleigh.’