Poppy had never heard him speak to his wife in such a firm manner. He clearly adored her, and Lavinia used that knowledge always to the best of her advantage. Now she flushed, lifted her chin, pasted a smile on her mouth and turned to face Lord Kingsley and Lady Daphne, who had just entered.
Immediately Poppy perceived Lady Daphne to be James’ sister. Their resemblance was astonishing, and the lady was remarkable in her beauty with her dark hair and indigo eyes, a perfect replica of her brother’s.
His gaze casually swept the room, and when it landed on her, a small smile touched his mouth. Poppy’s heart raced too fast. She tried her best to hide the reaction she had to the man. Her lips tingled and the spot on her hips he had touched last night burned. Her entire body felt alive and as if it belonged to someone else.
Her reaction was simply dreadful and intolerable.
“Lord and Lady Hayes,” James greeted. “Mrs. Ashford, Miss Ashford, and Miss Rebecca, it is a pleasure.”
A beautiful smile bloomed on Rebecca’s mouth, and she dropped into a deep and most elegant curtsy. “Lord Kingsley, it is a pleasure.”
Greetings and pleasantries aside, James sat in an armchair that was conveniently situated closest to Rebecca. Shrewdness glinted in his dark indigo eyes, and Poppy realized he had detected the tension in the room. The housekeeper arrived with the tea trolley, and during the next few minutes, little conversation passed as tea was served. The entire time Poppy could feel the intensity of his stare as it skipped over her face. She dared not look at him, or she would blush like a debutante and not a lady with mature sensibilities. Poppy was sure of it.
“It is so wonderful for you to call, my lord,” Lavinia said, curling her hands around her cup. “I was just mentioning to my dear Rebecca that today seems perfect for a stroll in the park. This spring promises to be less dreary than last season.”
He flicked a glance to the window and presumably the bright sun outside. “Indeed it is,” James said, ignoring the polite nudge that normally would have prompted a gentleman to offer to take Rebecca out for a stroll. “I thought it time I met the rest of Richard’s family. He was one of the better friends I’ve ever had.”
“Richard?” Mrs. Ashford cried, her gaze cutting to Poppy and then back to the earl.
“Yes. It is through Richard I first met Miss Poppy a few years ago. When I saw her at Viscountess Balfour’s ball, I was very pleased to reintroduce myself. From the amusing anecdotes Richard shared with us, Daphne has always also been keen to meet Miss Ashford.”
A collective relief traveled through her sisters and stepmother.
“Oh, that explains the connection,” her stepmother said, smiling brightly. “We were all agog that you would single out Poppy. We were all in a tizzy to understand what it meant.”
A cunning and decidedly hardened glint entered James’ eyes, and Poppy leaned forward.
“I was about to explain it earlier, Mother. I knew the earl as Mr. Delaney, and we have been in correspondence since Richard’s death. It was only last night I discovered Mr. Delaney and the Earl of Kingsley are one and the same.”
“What a naughty scheme,” Lavinia said, skipping her gaze from Poppy to James.
“My title had no bearings on our communications,” he said mildly. “Miss Ashford was quite courteous in receiving the news, and I thank her for her generous understanding.”
“I was most pleased when James informed me you were in town, Poppy.” Daphne took a sip of her tea, her eyes just as calculating as her brother. “I was dearly hoping you would accompany me on a trip to Chatham in Kent, where our stud farm is for a few days. I dreaded going there alone and believe this a most delightful opportunity to acquaint ourselves.”
Her stepmother stiffened. “Oh dear, I fear Poppy is quite engaged for the upcoming week! She has agreed to chaperone our Rebecca to a musicale on Tuesday. There is also an outing at Hampton Court on Thursday, I believe. The Marchioness of Elkins personally invited Rebecca.”
“How wonderful,” Daphne cried. “I’ve heard the maze at Hampton Court is wonderful. Perhaps I could ask mama, who has been complaining of lack of excitement this season, to accompany Miss Rebecca. Mama would love the company, and I am sure she would like to get to know you better.”
Poppy almost smiled at the sly way Lady Daphne tied their hands. To be seen in the company of the countess would be an immense boost in Rebecca’s standing in society, and it would imply the family found her favorable.
“I would be most obliged to Lady Kingsley,” Rebecca said, smiling prettily in James’ direction.
“Wonderful! I will speak with mama about it. Would you be agreeable to accompanying me to Chatham in Kent, Poppy? Please say yes, I would be odiously bored to travel by myself. I have asked James to be my traveling companion, but he insists he cannot leave town for the foreseeable future.”
That announcement had Lavinia and her stepmother exchanging pleased glances. Surely they were cheering that Poppy would be away in Kent while Rebecca would be at the side of the earl they were trying to catch. And suddenly Poppy wanted to be away from her family and their machinations more than she wanted to take her next breath of air.
“Thank you for the invitation,” she said with a smile at Daphne. “A quick jaunt to Kent seems fun.”
Daphne laughed lightly. “I will only be most sorry to miss Lady Bloomfield’s ball. It is usually a massive crush and a delight each year. Mama is looking forward to attending. I believe you will also attend James?”
“I will,” he said, taking a sip of his tea.
“Will you be attending, Lady Hayes?” Daphne said, staring pointedly at Lavinia.
Her sister flushed, her hand gripping her cup so tightly Poppy feared it might shatter. “I do not believe we received an invitation this year.”
Daphne waved her hands carelessly. “I am certain mama will ensure an invitation from Lady Bloomfield arrives tomorrow. Mama keeps mentioning wanting the company of a younger person to amuse her. I am sure she would love your company while Poppy is with me, Rebecca.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Ashford said, looking pleased as if she had been the one to manipulate the circumstances. “We would be most indebted to the countess.”
James and his sister stayed for another thirty minutes in which Rebecca attempted to shamelessly capture his attention. He had shown no signs of disapproval at their efforts and was unfailingly polite if a bit dry in his replies. He adroitly rebuffed all nudges or overtures that suggested he walk with Rebecca in the gardens, showing James to be a consummate player in the game of avoiding matchmaking mamas and ladies with ill-intention. Poppy was almost embarrassed by her stepmother’s insistence and at one point had hurriedly turned the conversation toward mundane and safer topics.
She excused herself before their departure, hurried up the stairs to her guest chamber, closed herself inside and flung herself onto the bed, burying her face into the pillow. It was with a distant sort of amazement Poppy realized she was laughing and sobbing.
Oh, James, how outrageous you are, but thank you!
Chapter 7
The following day, Poppy, along with Lady Daphne, three footmen and a lady’s maid, departed London for Chatham. The journey did not take that long, and after only a few hours, they arrived at a most beautiful and charming mansion situated on splendidly manicured and well-tended grounds.