Madcap Miss by Joan Smith Page B

must have someone already. ”
    “ She was complaining about her woman, ” he invented.
    Grace looked at him with the dawning of interest. “ What is she like, your sister? ”
    “ Very nice. She certainly wouldn ’ t work you night and day. She lives in a good style in Ireland, with plenty of horses. ”
    “ She wouldn ’ t let me use her mounts. ”
    “ It could be arranged. ”
    Grace shook her head. “ I know you would arrange it if you could, but to treat a governess so would only lead to gossip in the neighborhood. I ’ m sure Ireland has its Mrs. Grundys, too. If I am to be a byword, I would prefer it to be in London, where they are used to such things. ”
    “ I don ’ t want to hear any more about your becoming an actress, ” he said sternly. “ I won ’ t permit it. ”
    He sounded so very much like her father in a rant that Grace had to stifle a laugh. But there was no point pestering Whewett with her problems, and she said no more.
    “ You have provided a valuable service for me, ” he continued. “ I shall find a respectable post for you before we part. Now, the subject is closed. I have a bottle of wine in my room. We shall have a glass of wine and go to bed. ”
    A conscious look entered his eyes, and Grace suspected he regretted his choice of words, but she ignored any ambiguity in the speech. “ You don ’ t have to assume responsibility for the rest of my life, ” she said.
    “ Somebody has to, as you appear to have lost the use of your reason. ” He strode stiffly off for the wine and glasses.
    “ We are not going to argue any more, ” she told him when he returned. “ This visit is the highlight of my day. I refuse to let you destroy it with your shockingly overbearing manner. You were more biddable with Grandma, I believe. She mentioned a renunciation of the Elton creature. ”
    Whewett was happy to follow this topic. “ It looms before me when I return home. I regret losing those gorgeous blond curls and blue eyes. I think Mrs. Elton and I might have gone on happily together, darting about the dens of London. ”
    “ She had that charming sense of humor, too. I could have grown accustomed to her as a stepmother. You would not have permitted her to beat me? ”
    “ No, I would have done it myself, if you spoke of acting. ”
    “ There has been a moratorium declared on that subject. We are discussing Mrs. Elton, sir. She is only after your title, you know. You men in your forties turn very foolish. Grandma told me so, ” she added swiftly, when he glared at her.
    “ I do not happen to be in my forties. ”
    “ Only thirty-nine? I have wounded your vanity again. You are as sensitive as an aging lady. How old are you? ”
    “ Thirty-five, fast pushing thirty-six. ” He looked closely to read her reaction, but saw only mild surprise.
    “ You have less than five years to find Gussie a decent mama, before you turn foolish and are picked off by the first pretty baggage that comes along. Forty is the turning point. One may do anything with a gentleman in his forties. I wonder if I might not manage to throw myself in the way of some foolish fellow past his prime. I could take my hundred pounds and go to Tunbridge Wells, where the gouty widowers are nursing their joints. What a splendid idea! With luck, I might even be a widow before I completely lose my looks. ”
    “ Grace, ” he said ominously, “ You will not get the hundred pounds if this is how you mean to carry on. ”
    “ Welcher! Here you were offering me more a short while ago. What do I know about you after all? You might shab off and leave me stranded at the coaching house after I have served your purpose, ” she said airily.
    “ Very true, you know nothing about me, including my age."
    “ Did you shave off a few years, Whewett? ” she teased.
    “ Certainly not! But there are plenty out there who would do worse than lie about their age. You don ’ t use enough caution for one in your position. Look at you