Chapter Five

      The drive back to Chipping Barnet was accomplished in good time, with Lady Leaconham expressing herself highly satisfied with the day.

      ‘To dine al fresco with the Harworths is an honour not afforded to everyone,’ she told Kitty. ‘And that my nephew should choose to spend so much time with you is very encouraging. I was pleased to see you making yourself so agreeable to him.’

      ‘I hope I did not seem too forward, Godmama,’ replied Kitty, alarmed. ‘I had no thought other than to be polite. I would not like Lord Harworth to think I was encouraging his advances.’

      ‘That is exactly what you were doing, you silly puss,’ chuckled Lady Leaconham. ‘I admit when you first came to me I had no thought of aiming so high for you. I had hoped to find you a gentleman of comfortable means, but a baron, and my own nephew at that—well! ‘

      She subsided into her corner, engrossed in her own happy thoughts and leaving Kitty prey to much more disturbing reflections. There was no doubt she was enjoying her time in London, although she missed Mama and Aunt Jane. She found the society diverting, but although she knew her mother had sent her to Town in the hope that she would find a husband, the idea of spending more than a day in the company of any of the gentlemen she had met, even Lord Harworth, filled her with dismay. Sadly she had discovered that most of the eligible gentlemen were empty-headed and so full of their own conceit that she found them positively disagreeable after a half-hour’s conversation. Others, like Lord Harworth, were perfectly agreeable but, she was ashamed to admit it, rather dull.

      The thought flashed into her mind that Daniel Blackwood was neither dull nor empty-headed. He was infuriating, of course, and arrogant, and outspoken, but one could never accuse him of being boring.

      The carriage began to slow and Kitty saw that they had arrived at the Rising Sun. The shadows were already lengthening in the cobbled yard as they drove in. The landlord came bustling out to greet them, grinning broadly and wiping his hands on his apron as he addressed them through the open carriage window.

      ‘Good day to you, ma’am—and you, miss! ‘Tis very busy here today, but I am sure we can find you a room.’

      The man’s genial smile disappeared when Lady Leaconham demanded to see her son.

      ‘L-Lord Leaconham, m’lady? He’s one of those who came for the beefsteak dinner in the upstairs dining room, I believe. I am afraid they are not yet concluded.’

      He cast a glance upwards, where sounds of raucous merriment could be heard coming from an open window on the first floor.

      ‘Then you will inform him I am here!’ commanded my lady.

      ‘Aye, ma’am.’ He flicked his head and a young boy scampered away into the inn. ‘Will you not come in and take some refreshment, madam.?’

      ‘No, I want to collect my son and go home.’

      ‘Well, ma’am, you see.’ The landlord shifted uncomfortably.

      Lady Leaconham waved to him to open the door and she alighted from the carriage, Kitty following close behind her.

      ‘What is the matter with you—he is here, is he not?’ demanded Lady Leaconham.

      ‘Aye, he’s here. That is—’

      ‘Well, let us to him!’

      Lady Leaconham swept towards the inn, the landlord hurrying after her, but before they had gone more than a few steps Garston appeared in the doorway, looking flushed and bleary-eyed.

      ‘Oh, so it is you, m’m.’ He placed one hand on the doorframe to steady himself. ‘Wasn’t expectin’ you yet.’

      ‘I think you have lost track of the time, my son,’ replied Lady Leaconham. ‘Come along now, fetch your things and let us be off. I want to reach Portman Square well before dark.’

      ‘Ah, well, that’s the thing,’ replied Garston, enunciating his words with enormous care. ‘Not sure I’m up to travellin’ at the moment.’ He gave his mother a smile of great sweetness. ‘Excuse me, Mama. Rather fancy I’m about to cast up my accounts.’

      With that he swung round and vomited at the side of the doorway.

      Kitty gasped, while Lady Leaconham remained rooted to the spot, staring at her son. Behind them, one of the outriders gave a short laugh.

      ‘Told you ‘e wasn’t one to ‘old ‘is drink.’

      Lady Leaconham whirled about.

      ‘How dare you be so impertinent! You are dismissed, both of you!’

      ‘But, Godmama, we need their escort—’

      ‘I will not tolerate insolence!’ retorted Lady Leaconham, white with fury. ‘How dare they suggest my son is … is inebriated! Go, I say! You will be gone from my service by the morning—and leave your livery behind you, or I shall have you arrested for robbery!’

      In dismay Kitty watched the two outriders clatter out of the yard. Lady Leaconham took a few steps towards Garston, who was still leaning against the wall, groaning. Tentatively she put her hand out to him.

      ‘Come along, my son, get into the carriage and let us be gone from this place. What were your friends about, could they not see you are unwell? Come, my love, let me help you.’

      ‘Don’t think … anyone … can.’ muttered Garston.

      He turned, leaning his back against the wall as his legs crumpled under him and he slid to the floor, unconscious. Lady Leaconham gave a little scream.

      ‘Oh, good heavens—oh, my poor boy! Quickly, someone, run and fetch a doctor!’

      The landlord stepped forwards, shaking his head.

      ‘Nay, my lady, I’m sure if we was to get him upstairs and into a bed—’

      ‘No, no, fetch a doctor! Oh, I shall go distracted,’ cried Lady Leaconham, reaching out to grip Kitty’s arm. ‘Quickly, child, where is my vinaigrette? I fear I am going to faint.’

      ‘Now that won’t help anyone, madam,’ said a deep, calm voice behind them.

      Kitty looked round to see Daniel Blackwood jumping down from his horse.

      ‘And the landlord’s right,’ he continued bluntly. ‘Leaconham is drunk: best to take him upstairs and let him sleep it off.’ He signalled to the coachman and footman, who ran forward to pick up Garston and carry him inside.

      Kitty felt Lady Leaconham sag against her, but even as she struggled to support her, Daniel stepped up to take the matron’s free arm.

      ‘Come, ma’am,’ he said. ‘Allow us to escort you inside.’

      The landlord led them to a small parlour where Kitty and Daniel half-carried Lady Leaconham across the room to a cushioned armchair beside the empty fireplace.

      ‘Have a bottle of wine brought in,’ ordered Daniel. He glanced at Kitty. ‘Will you look after Lady Leaconham while I go upstairs and see what I can do for her son?’

      Kitty nodded and as he strode away she searched in her godmother’s reticule for her smelling salts.

      By the time Daniel returned Lady Leaconham had recovered a little and was sipping at a glass of wine.

      ‘How is Leaconham?’ she asked him anxiously.

      ‘Sleeping,’ he said shortly. ‘He is unlikely to stir before the morning.’

      ‘Then perhaps