thirteenth century to defend the medieval town of Kilkenny.”
It was Rachel’s turn to listen transfixed.
“The castle has round towers at its four corners and an interior courtyard. The Butlers of Ormonde have lived there for five hundred years. The collection of paintings is vast in number.”
“Ireland holds a very special place in my heart. Rachel, when the Season is over, you must come and stay with us at Barons Court,” the duchess invited.
“Oh, thank you! I would love it above all things.” Her glance met Lord Butler’s before her lashes swept down to conceal the hope in her eyes.
“You must all come and visit us at Kilkenny when you return to Ireland.”
“Why, thank you, James. We will take you up on your generous invitation.” The Duchess of Abercorn again turned her attention on D’Arcy Lambton. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could take some photographs of your castle and the places around Durham? I’m sure Harriet would be fascinated to see them.”
“Oh, D’Arcy, you must. I’ve seen a painting of your castle, but a photograph would be an exact reproduction.”
“Yes, I will certainly take photographs. Of course, I won’t be visiting Durham until the Season is over.” His generous mouth widened into a smile he bestowed on Harry.
He means until my Season is over. He makes me feel special—I can do no wrong in his eyes. There is absolutely no denying D’Arcy’s attraction. Harry’s thoughts strayed to Thomas Anson and she smiled inwardly. I can do no right in his eyes.
After dinner, D’Arcy began to set up his photographic equipment in the drawing room. Harry’s brother, intrigued by the paraphernalia, insisted on helping. Lady Rachel was placed in a chair, with Lord Butler standing behind her.
D’Arcy cautioned, “Don’t be alarmed. I have to create a flash of light so your image can be captured.” He took a small bag and sprinkled some black powder onto a handheld device. “When I say ready , I want you both to smile and hold absolutely still.”
“What is this black stuff?” young James asked.
“Gunpowder,” D’Arcy murmured quietly.
“Jolly good! Let me hold it for you.” James’s eyes sparkled at the thought of danger.
When D’Arcy was ready to pull the cord attached to the box he held, he said, “Ready,” and nodded to his assistant.
James set a lit taper to the gunpowder, and the flash and puff of smoke made Rachel’s eyes widen to the size of saucers.
“Oh dear, I’m going to look a fright!”
Standing behind her, Captain Butler dropped a kiss on top of her head. “That would be impossible, my dear.”
D’Arcy was beaming from ear to ear. “That’s all there is to it. Now I’d like to take a photograph of you, Harry.”
Immediately, James made a suggestion. “Why don’t we take a photograph of both of you? Show the captain how to pull the cord, and I’ll do the flash-of-light thing again.”
Harry smiled mischievously at D’Arcy. “You sit in the chair and I’ll stand behind you.” Posed thus, she thought wickedly, I rather like the dominant position!
“Oh, the flash really is startling!”
D’Arcy turned and looked up at her. “You look as if you have stars in your eyes. Will you come for another carriage ride on Friday?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Thomas Anson is taking me to the Crystal Palace on Friday. I talked him into taking me on the train.”
“Then you must come on another day. I won’t take no for an answer, Harry. We don’t have to go to Hyde Park. I’ll take you anywhere you’d like to go.”
“That’s very generous of you, D’Arcy.” You really do have a lovely disposition.
The following evening, when Will Montagu arrived, ostensibly to escort Lady Harriet and Lady Rachel to the theater, the Duchess of Abercorn greeted him warmly. “It’s extremely thoughtful of you to include James in your plans. You will undoubtedly have a good influence on him, and will keep him from running with a
It was Rachel’s turn to listen transfixed.
“The castle has round towers at its four corners and an interior courtyard. The Butlers of Ormonde have lived there for five hundred years. The collection of paintings is vast in number.”
“Ireland holds a very special place in my heart. Rachel, when the Season is over, you must come and stay with us at Barons Court,” the duchess invited.
“Oh, thank you! I would love it above all things.” Her glance met Lord Butler’s before her lashes swept down to conceal the hope in her eyes.
“You must all come and visit us at Kilkenny when you return to Ireland.”
“Why, thank you, James. We will take you up on your generous invitation.” The Duchess of Abercorn again turned her attention on D’Arcy Lambton. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could take some photographs of your castle and the places around Durham? I’m sure Harriet would be fascinated to see them.”
“Oh, D’Arcy, you must. I’ve seen a painting of your castle, but a photograph would be an exact reproduction.”
“Yes, I will certainly take photographs. Of course, I won’t be visiting Durham until the Season is over.” His generous mouth widened into a smile he bestowed on Harry.
He means until my Season is over. He makes me feel special—I can do no wrong in his eyes. There is absolutely no denying D’Arcy’s attraction. Harry’s thoughts strayed to Thomas Anson and she smiled inwardly. I can do no right in his eyes.
After dinner, D’Arcy began to set up his photographic equipment in the drawing room. Harry’s brother, intrigued by the paraphernalia, insisted on helping. Lady Rachel was placed in a chair, with Lord Butler standing behind her.
D’Arcy cautioned, “Don’t be alarmed. I have to create a flash of light so your image can be captured.” He took a small bag and sprinkled some black powder onto a handheld device. “When I say ready , I want you both to smile and hold absolutely still.”
“What is this black stuff?” young James asked.
“Gunpowder,” D’Arcy murmured quietly.
“Jolly good! Let me hold it for you.” James’s eyes sparkled at the thought of danger.
When D’Arcy was ready to pull the cord attached to the box he held, he said, “Ready,” and nodded to his assistant.
James set a lit taper to the gunpowder, and the flash and puff of smoke made Rachel’s eyes widen to the size of saucers.
“Oh dear, I’m going to look a fright!”
Standing behind her, Captain Butler dropped a kiss on top of her head. “That would be impossible, my dear.”
D’Arcy was beaming from ear to ear. “That’s all there is to it. Now I’d like to take a photograph of you, Harry.”
Immediately, James made a suggestion. “Why don’t we take a photograph of both of you? Show the captain how to pull the cord, and I’ll do the flash-of-light thing again.”
Harry smiled mischievously at D’Arcy. “You sit in the chair and I’ll stand behind you.” Posed thus, she thought wickedly, I rather like the dominant position!
“Oh, the flash really is startling!”
D’Arcy turned and looked up at her. “You look as if you have stars in your eyes. Will you come for another carriage ride on Friday?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Thomas Anson is taking me to the Crystal Palace on Friday. I talked him into taking me on the train.”
“Then you must come on another day. I won’t take no for an answer, Harry. We don’t have to go to Hyde Park. I’ll take you anywhere you’d like to go.”
“That’s very generous of you, D’Arcy.” You really do have a lovely disposition.
The following evening, when Will Montagu arrived, ostensibly to escort Lady Harriet and Lady Rachel to the theater, the Duchess of Abercorn greeted him warmly. “It’s extremely thoughtful of you to include James in your plans. You will undoubtedly have a good influence on him, and will keep him from running with a
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