Flirting with Ruin Read Online Free Page A

accepted it more easily—you know, their absence would have been more obvious. But because they were both away in the army, it is as if they are still there. Am I making sense?’
    ‘Perfect sense.’
    Kate sniffed. ‘Phaedra feels it worse than I. She and Ned were so close—and so alike. She spends all her time down at the stables—not that she ever did anything else—but it is different now. Her horses are her only consolation, and though she has been forbidden to ride out while we are deep in mourning, I cannot bring myself to reprimand her for doing so. She is hiding from facing the facts, she won’t talk, and I am no use at all to her, so if her horses help—well, I shall not be the one to stop her.’
    ‘What about your other brothers?’
    ‘Giles is in London, hiding just like Phaedra. You have most likely seen him more recently than I, since you share a taste for the shadier reaches of society. He is probably trying to drink himself into oblivion. And Harry too. He was with Ned at Waterloo, you know. But he too is hiding in work—a new post, something diplomatic that he won’t talk about. Neither of them want to come to Castonbury, and who can blame them. Too many memories. I wish they were here today, though.’
    ‘Today?’
    Kate began to crumble her untouched bread roll. ‘We had a note yesterday from an officer who fought with Ned. A Major Lennox. He is here in Castonbury. He has brought some of Ned’s effects and a commendation from Wellington himself—which we knew about, of course, from Harry, but it seems this major has to deliver it. He comes today for an audience with my father. Rosalind, I know it’s a lot to ask, but if you would sit with me, I would very much appreciate it. This commendation, it is an honour, I know, and I hope it will help my father, but I can’t help feeling it will be difficult, meeting a man who was actually there with Ned when he—at the end. I don’t want to break down in front of Phaedra. Will you sit with me?’
    ‘Dearest, of course I will. If you are sure I would not be intruding.’
    Kate shook her head. ‘No. My father probably won’t even notice.’ She got to her feet. ‘Major Lennox arrives at noon. We are meeting in the drawing room.’
    Rosalind looked down at her bright primrose morning dress. ‘Then I had better make haste and change.’

Chapter Three
    Fraser drove himself to Castonbury Park in a gig borrowed from Albert Moffat, the landlord of the Rothermere Arms. He had known Edward Montague’s family was influential, but he had thought nothing of it. Passing through the huge ornate gates under the watchful eye of the gatekeeper, he was taken aback by the sheer grandeur and beauty of the stately pile in front of him.
    The grounds were extensive. Rolling parklands to the south stretched back to a tree-lined horizon. The main entrance he had come through faced north, the wide carriageway sweeping through more formal grounds and gardens. Two lakes, Fraser noticed as he drove slowly by, the larger with an island in the middle, separated by a suspiciously rustic bridge. A little pavilion on the farthest stretch of water suggested there would be good fishing. Then came Castonbury Park itself. Neoclassical, with the pleasing proportions of the Palladian, in style, the frontage, which was flanked by two galleries curving out to an east and west wing, consisted of an imposing colonnaded portico that reminded Fraser of the Palais Bourbon in Paris. The tall windows on the main floor were pedimented. Behind them Edward’s family, twice bereaved by the war, waited for him to provide them with consolation.
    Handing over the reins to a waiting footman splendidly clad in scarlet-and-gold livery, Fraser felt a craven impulse to turn around. A hand-cast medal, a hand-written commendation from Wellington, a few personal belongings bound in a trunk were all he had to offer. What consolation could any of those be? If Lord Giles was anything to go by, none.